Pee Dee teams prepare for playoffs

There’s no way to tell how far the Lake City Panthers might have gone in the 2008 playoffs had they been eligible for the postseason.

But the Panthers have the opportunity to write their own ending this time around.

Lake City (9-1) is one of 22 Pee Dee teams gearing up for the postseason, which begins Friday for all classifications except Class 4A.

The second-seeded Panthers will host Battery Creek (3-7), the third seed from Region 8-3A.

“The theme of the year for us has been redemption, and now we finally get a chance to redeem ourselves,” Lake City coach Justin Gentry said. “The kids have worked hard to get to this point.

“It’s the first home playoff game for us in nine years, so the kids and the community are all pretty excited.”

Led by running back Shon Carson (1,565 yards, 25 TDs), the Panthers ran roughshod past everyone but defending state champion Myrtle Beach, outscoring opponents 419-93.

“Teams have to work hard to shut down our running game,” Gentry said. “Shon’s had a great season, and he’s gotten so much attention, it’s allowed some of our other players like Sheldon Robinson and
DaShawn Butler to have big seasons as well.”

They’ll face a loaded lower state bracket that includes Myrtle Beach (9-1), North Charleston (9-1) and unbeatens Airport (10-0) and Marlboro County (10-0).

Marlboro grabbed a top seed and will face Dreher (3-7) in the opening round. The Region 6-3A champs are looking for a return trip to the lower state finals.

After back-to-back 2-8 seasons to begin his career at Darlington, Falcons coach Justin Danner has his squad back in the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Darlington (4-6) will try to become the first team to knock off Airport this season.

In Class 2A, defending state champion Dillon (8-2) opens the postseason against Hanahan (5-5). The Wildcats beat Cheraw on Fridat for the first time since 2003 to capture the Region 8-2A title.

Cheraw (6-4) will host Waccamaw (7-3) for the second straight year as the Braves try to get back to the state championship game for the first time since 2007.

With their big over rival Marion last week, third-seeded Mullins (5-5) travels to face Manning (7-3), who’s looking to make a deep run in the postseason after disappointing playoff losses the past few seasons.

Marion (5-5) faces a tough road test against undefeated Timberland (10-0).

In Class A, the undefeated two-time Division I champion Rams of Chesterfield (10-0) open against Lewisville (4-6), a team the Rams routed 55-0 on Oct. 9.

In the lower state, top-seeded Lamar (9-1) welcomes Estill (4-5), third-seeded Carvers Bay (9-1) hosts St. John’s (6-4), and Region 8-A foes Johnsonville (6-4) and Hemingway (9-1) will clash again.

Hemingway defeated Johnsonville 27-0 on Oct. 16. en route to the region title.

In Division II, McBee (8-2) travels to Hunter-Kinard-Tyler (8-2) while Lake View (6-3) will go on the road to C.E. Murray (5-5).

Timmonsville (2-8) will hit the road to take on Military Magnet (7-3).

In SCISA playoffs, Laurence Manning (5-4) hosts Ben Lippen (8-2) and Pee Dee Academy (4-6) travels to Northwood (9-2).

Class A features three Pee Dee teams as Williamsburg (4-6) travels to Bible Baptist. The Byrnes Schools (7-3) hosts Palmetto Christian (6-3) and defending state champion Dillon Christian (10-1) hosts Holly Hill Academy (6-5).

A list of Friday's first-round playoff action:

Class 3A
Darlington at Airport, 7:30 p.m.
Lake Marion at Myrtle Beach, 7:30 p.m.
Battery Creek at Lake City, 7:30 p.m.
North Myrtle Beach at North Charleston, 7:30 p.m.
Dreher at Marlboro County, 7:30 p.m.
Socastee at Hilton Head Island, 7:30 p.m.

Class 2A
Waccamaw at Cheraw, 7:30 p.m.
Mullins at Manning, 7:30 p.m.
Marion at Timberland, 7:30 p.m.
Hanahan at Dillon, 7:30 p.m.

Class A Division I
Lewisville at Chesterfield, 7:30 p.m.
Estill at Lamar, 7:30 p.m.
St. John’s at Carvers Bay, 7:30 p.m.
Johnsonville at Hemingway, 7:30 p.m.

Class A Division II
McBee at Hunter-Kinard-Tyler, 7:30 p.m.
Lake View at C.E. Murray, 7:30 p.m.
Timmonsville at Military Magnet, 7:30 p.m.

SCISA
Ben Lippen at Laurence Manning, 7:30 p.m.
Pee Dee Academy at Northwood, 7:30 p.m.
Williamsburg Academy at Bible Baptist, 7:30 p.m.
Palmetto Christian at The Byrnes Schools, 7:30 p.m.
Holly Hill at Dillon Christian, 7:30 p.m.