Preseason Elite Eight poll

1. Marlboro County (10-4)
Last game: Myrtle Beach 51, Marlboro County 50 (3 OT)
Why the Bulldogs are ranked: The Bulldogs were a two-point conversion away from playing for a state title last year. Despite the loss of several talented receivers and linebackers, Marlboro looks poised for another deep playoff run with Preseason Player of the Year Elliot Alford, Division I college commitments Thomas Teal and Lee Pegues and a number of other talented players still in the mix. Another year of experience combined with how close they came should make the Bulldogs that much hungrier.

2. Lake City (8-2)
Last game: Lake City 49, Georgetown 12
Why the Panthers are ranked: Without that first-game brawl against Wilson, who knows how much damage the Panthers would have done in the playoffs? Lake City was the only team to knock off Class 3A champ Myrtle Beach last year, and the Panthers have a lot of returning talent, including 1,600-yard rusher Shon Carson. Without injury and with everything falling into place, Lake City might have enough to seriously contend this year.

3. Chesterfield (13-1)
Last game: Chesterfield 21, Carvers Bay 0
Why the Rams are ranked: The two-time defending Class A Division I state champion Rams are in good shape for another November trip to Orangeburg. Even with the losses of QB Akeem Johnson and a couple of talented linebackers, Chesterfield has seven returning all-state players. With coach Steve Taneyhill’s newest QB prodigy already making strides, the Rams’ bid for a three-peat looks like a solid bet.

4. Manning (9-4)
Last game: Dillon 10, Manning 7 (OT)
Why the Monarchs are ranked: Manning has been on the cusp of playing for a state championship for the last few seasons now, and this year is no different. The Monarchs have talented skill players at nearly every position, a Division I college lineman and defensive tackle, and an all-Pee Dee defensive back in the lineup. If the offensive line and linebacking corps come together quickly, the Monarchs can look forward to practicing during Thanksgiving.

5. Wilson (5-5)
Last game: Wilson 30, Darlington 20
Why the Tigers are ranked: You know not getting to defend their Class 3A state title last year left a bitter taste in the Tigers’ mouths. With a revamped lineup, physical offensive and defensive lines and a returning playmaker at quarterback, Wilson is looking for a bounce-back year. With Crestwood, Camden and Marlboro County still lurking in Region 6-3A, however, it won’t come easy.

6. Dillon (12-3)
Last game: Dillon 7, Central 6
Why the Wildcats are ranked: Jackie Hayes finally has his championship, and no longer has to hear about not winning the big one. Now he’s presented with the challenge of getting there again. The Wildcats lost key pieces at the skill positions on both sides of the ball and will have to find replacements quickly in order to contend again. But then, no one really thought they could do it last year either.

7. Cheraw (9-4)
Last game: Timberland 24, Cheraw 21
Why the Braves are ranked: Cheraw enters its first season ATS — after Travis Small. The second all-time leading rusher in the state took his fullback with him, so the Braves backfield is somewhat of an unknown. But if there’s one thing Johnny White and company have proven during the last few years, it’s that Cheraw is never out of the title picture. They’ve come back from seemingly worse situations before.

8. Carvers Bay (11-3)
Last game: Chesterfield 21, Carvers Bay 0
Why the Bears are ranked: Carvers Bay pulled off something of a shocker last year to make it back to its third straight state championship game. The Bears are hoping lightning strikes twice, as this year’s team is younger and less experienced than last year. Still, the Bears always seem to find a couple players — usually named Geathers — to fill the void and make another push for Orangeburg.