2024 Playoff Preview

With the playoffs just a week away and the Bears enjoying a well-earned week off, it's time to take a stroll through the landscape of contenders, both upstate and lower state, who will be battling for this season's 3A State Championship. Not all seeding is set in stone at the time of writing, but that's what makes this so exciting—the anticipation, the hope, and yes, the unpredictability. I’ll walk you through each team, from top-seeded favorites to underdog scrappers, giving a quick breakdown without sticking my neck out with actual predictions. So let’s dive in.

Upperstate Playoff Teams

Mountain View Prep (8-0) The kings of the hill—Mountain View Prep—are the only undefeated team in 3A, steamrolling their competition with an average margin of 46.5 to 17.1 per game. MVP is led by Jaylen McGill, the fourth-ranked recruit in South Carolina's 2026 class. He’s the kind of running back who makes defenses look like they’re tackling a ghost, racking up 1,237 yards and 14 touchdowns on just 108 carries. Throw in Bryson Drummond, who has 1,807 passing yards and 22 touchdowns, and Kadarus Hainsworth, his favorite target, who’s turned 37 catches into 903 yards and 15 touchdowns, and you've got an offensive machine.

But there’s a twist: MVP is a new private school, meaning they gathered talent from surrounding programs like a high school version of the Avengers. McGill was a star for Broome, Drummond lit up the scoreboard for Greenville, and now they’re all on one superteam. On defense, Quay McCauley is a menace with 11 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and 9 quarterback hurries. Eli Smith leads in total tackles, and this Region 3 champion has talent across the board. Sure, the naysayers argue that MVP’s schedule is softer than a marshmallow, but you can't ignore talent. Whether they’re battle-tested or not, they’re undeniably in the mix for a title.

Carolina Academy (1-7) First up, MVP faces Carolina Academy—a team more excited to be here than to actually win. Carolina Academy’s lone victory came against Southside in Week 4, and while a win against MVP seems like a Herculean task, there’s still something heartwarming about their first playoff appearance since 2013. For them, this is less about winning and more about the experience.

St. Joseph's Catholic (5-4) St. Joe’s is sitting pretty in second place in Region 2—though their final game against Christ Church could shift things. They’ve knocked off a respectable set of teams, including Cardinal Newman and Southside Christian, and they’re one of the few teams in their region with a positive point differential. New to 3A this season, St. Joe’s might be green, but they’re scrappy. Could they shake things up? Absolutely.

Crescent (4-4) Crescent and Walhalla are neck and neck for second place in Region 1, and their upcoming game will decide who grabs the spot. Crescent put up the most points against BHP of any regional foe—21—and managed a few solid wins this season. Thanks to some quirky seeding rules, Crescent will get a first-round home game, which might be the boost they need.

Walhalla (5-4) Walhalla just got shellacked by BHP, 49-0, but here’s the funny part: the Bears didn’t exactly cruise offensively. BHP’s points came from a punt return touchdown, a pick-six, and another punt return touchdown—not your usual offensive dominance. Walhalla wants to slug it out and pound the ball, and if they can find their rhythm, they’re capable of surprising people. Don’t count them out just yet.

Union County (2-6) Union County, fourth in Region 3, may be just 2-6, but they’ve shown flashes—like rushing for 397 yards against Broome. When things click, they pound the rock, and they’re averaging 258 rushing yards in region games. Against a team like Walhalla, we might see a battle of attrition that’s over in two hours flat.

West Oak (1-7) West Oak hasn’t sniffed the playoffs since 2009, but here they are. The odds aren’t in their favor—a first-round exit seems inevitable—but for these guys, just ending the playoff drought is a win in itself. Sometimes, it’s about the journey, not the destination.

Christ Church (4-4) Christ Church, another team taking its first crack at 3A, has leaned on its defense ever since losing star wide receiver Jackson Repp. Over the last five games, they’ve allowed just 12.6 points per contest, the kind of stat that tells you they’re not going down without a fight. They play complementary football, mixing 1,400+ passing yards with a respectable ground game. Don’t be shocked if they make it to Round 3.

Powdersville (6-3) After a rocky 0-3 start, Powdersville caught fire and reeled off six straight wins. They’ve got star power with Elijah Huggins and Joshaun Knuckles, two North-South game participants, and a potent offense averaging over 30 points a game. Powdersville has the kind of passing attack that can put opponents in a hole fast—and it’s one of the top teams to watch in the Upperstate bracket.

Broome (3-6) Broome’s season has been a head-scratcher. Last year they went 9-3; this year, they’re 3-6. Despite the offensive talent, they’ve allowed over 35 points per game—not exactly a recipe for playoff success. Their matchup with Powdersville in Round 1 looks like a steep uphill climb.

Pendleton (3-5) Pendleton’s offense lost some spark when Abijah Webb went down, and even if he’s back for the playoffs, it might not be enough. They’re giving up almost 24 points per game, and a first-round matchup against Woodruff’s punishing ground game seems like a tough draw.

Woodruff (7-1) Woodruff’s lone loss came in a thriller against Mountain View Prep, where they nearly pulled off a comeback. TJ Morris leads a potent offense, throwing for 1,856 yards and 49 touchdowns, while Aiden Gibson has rushed for nearly 1,200 yards. On defense, Shaun Graybill is everywhere, leading the team with 98 tackles. Woodruff is one of only three 3A teams averaging over 40 points a game, and they’re poised for a deep run.

Chapman (3-7) Chapman’s record might not jump off the page, but this is a team that’s faced a gauntlet of tough opponents. They faced BHP under unusual circumstances—a midweek game cut short by lightning—but still, they showed grit. Now, with a first-round home game, they’re the kind of team that could make life tough for higher-seeded opponents.

Palmetto (3-6) The Mustangs have had a rollercoaster season, with some spirited efforts—like putting up 14 points against BHP while keeping the Bears to 37. Consistency has been their Achilles' heel, but on the right day, Palmetto can give anyone a game.

Southside Christian (2-6) This is Southside Christian’s first foray into 3A after jumping up from 1A. They haven’t had much luck scoring points—just 52 in their six losses—but they’ve played some close games. They’ll travel to BHP in Round 1, and though their playoff journey might be brief, they’re getting their feet wet at a new level.

BHP (9-1) And then, of course, there are the Bears. But you already know all about them.

Lowderstate Playoff Teams

Loris (9-1) The top dog of Region 5, Loris, secured a first-round bye courtesy of Marlboro County's disqualification. Loris made waves this season, especially with their nail-biting 30-27 win over Dillon. Known for their rock-solid defense, allowing just 8.3 points per game—the lowest in 3A—the Lions are primed for a deep Lowerstate run. Expect them to keep roaring through the playoffs.

Silver Bluff (2-7) Silver Bluff’s season started rough at 0-7, but things turned around just in time. With recent wins over Swansea and Fox Creek, they’ve gained a bit of momentum heading into the playoffs. Depending on the result against Newberry, Silver Bluff could fall anywhere between first and fourth in the region. If they face Hanahan, their renewed energy might just carry them to a first-round win.

Hanahan (5-5) Third in Region 6, the Hawks earned a home game as the eighth overall seed. They’ve shown they can compete, with wins over teams like Wando and Timberland. The Hawks boast a ground-heavy offense with over 1,800 rushing yards and two quarterbacks—Tripp Gallus and Julius Hippenstiel—splitting time. Their playoff success may hinge on who they face, whether it’s Swansea or Silver Bluff.

Orangeburg-Wilkinson (7-3) The Bruins from Region 6 are a bruising ground game team, amassing over 2,000 rushing yards with three games over the 300-yard mark. Starting the season 4-0, they hit a midseason bump but bounced back with three more wins. With their potent rushing attack, they’ll be a tough contender, looking to go all the way to the State Championship—right at home in Orangeburg.

Aynor (6-4) Aynor wrapped up fourth in Region 5, relying on a strong ground game and scrappy defense. They’ve managed a positive point differential and have the potential to pull off an upset, particularly against a run-heavy team like Orangeburg-Wilkinson. This first-round matchup might be a slow, grind-it-out affair, but Aynor could surprise.

North Charleston (4-5) The Cougars started strong at 4-1, only to stumble in region play, finishing winless in those matchups. Despite this, they kept it close against Orangeburg-Wilkinson, losing by just five points. A two-hour drive to Keenan isn’t ideal, but the Cougars could put up a fight if they can find their early-season form.

Keenan (6-4) Da Raiders finished fourth in Region 4 but are dangerous with a high-scoring offense that’s averaging over 30 points per game. With big wins over teams like Orangeburg-Wilkinson and Silver Bluff, they’ve shown they can compete with anyone. If they get past North Charleston, a matchup with Loris could make for an exciting run toward a championship bid.

Newberry (5-3) Newberry has dominated in region play, with blowout wins over teams like Swansea and Keenan. They’re on a collision course with Dillon, one of the Lowerstate’s toughest teams, which could make for a grueling path through the playoffs. The Bulldogs might face some serious challenges, but they’ve shown they can rise to the occasion.

Georgetown (3-6) With a single region win via Marlboro County’s forfeit, the Bulldogs enter the playoffs as an underdog. Allowing over 46 points per game against winning teams, their road to success looks steep, especially with a three-hour bus ride ahead. This might be the end of the line for Georgetown.

Battery Creek (3-6) The Dolphins slipped into the playoffs from Region 6, struggling against strong teams and being outscored significantly this season. This matchup isn’t likely to favor Battery Creek, but they’ll take this as a learning experience for the program.

Dillon (8-2) Dillon heads into the playoffs as the second seed out of Region 5. Despite losses to Hartsville and Loris, Dillon has a reputation for playoff prowess, averaging an impressive 21-point differential. However, with likely matchups against Newberry, Oceanside, and potentially Loris again, the Wildcats have a tough path to the championship.

Waccamaw (5-4) With solid wins this season, including a region forfeit over Marlboro County, Waccamaw has shown offensive firepower, averaging over 30 points per game. A high-scoring affair against Swansea could make for an entertaining first round, and a win would make the long bus ride well worth it.

Swansea (7-3) A successful season has positioned Swansea as the second seed in Region 4. They’ve proven themselves with solid victories, and they’re one of the few 3A teams with seven wins. As they enter the playoffs, Swansea looks to keep the momentum going.

Fox Creek (4-5) The Predators, winless in region play, face an uphill battle with just 28 points scored across four region games. This three-hour bus ride might mark the end of their playoff hopes, but Fox Creek is soaking in the experience.

Oceanside Collegiate (7-3) The reigning 2A champions have faced a brutal non-region schedule but emerged as a powerhouse in Region 8. Led by sophomore QB Aiden Manavian, they’ve outscored opponents by a hefty margin in recent games. Oceanside is undoubtedly the team to beat in Lowerstate, ready to bring home another title with fierce determination.


The playoffs are upon us, and every team now has a clean slate. Some will be riding high, others hoping to shock the field, but every game from here on out is make-or-break. My bets are still on Them Bears to go all the way!

Bear Talk

This week, I had the pleasure of catching up with Charlie Davis, the headman of the BHP JV squad. Now, with the JV season drawing to a close, it’s time for us Bear fans to get a glimpse of the future—a sneak peek at what’s brewing in the Bear Den for the years to come. So, I hit Coach Davis with three big questions, our “Bear Essentials,” to give us a taste of what’s waiting in the wings.

Q: As the head coach of the JV Bears, can you give us a rundown of this season's journey? What was the overall record, what were some of the key achievements and challenges the team faced, and how did they progress as a unit?

Coach Davis’ Answer: We finished the season with a 7-1 record, having two games canceled due to the hurricane. The biggest challenge this season was working around the weather and trying to stay sharp with so much time off between games. Our goal was to win the region championship and we were able to accomplish that despite going almost three weeks between games due to weather.

Every season for us starts with looking at what we have on our roster with rising freshmen and returning sophomores and trying to put the players at positions we can see them being the most successful and developing into a varsity player at that position.

It's a process and takes time during the summer moving guys around to different positions until we get a feel for where they will fit the best.

We returned a lot of key players on offense with the only question marks being at center and h-back. Leeland Estes won the center job early on and started every game there as a freshman, while Leelin Laburda stepped up and played well at the H position.

Defensively, we had question marks at nearly every position. Coach Wade and Coach Donovan did an amazing job of coaching and getting this unit to play well. They gave up twelve points a game this season and really improved each week.

Carter Stewart, Nick Sargent, James Morris and Sam Lowe played a lot of snaps on the defensive line.

Ken Croegaert and Charlie Haynie dominated at the Jack position while Adrian McGlotten, Kason Chronister and Leelin Laburda logged the most snaps and linebacker.
We had a lot of guys step up and play well in the back end of our defense with BJ Anderson and Zabraylon Richardson at safety and Jai Harling, Jaylen Neely, and Christian Brown rotating at corner.

Q: The JV squad is shaping the future of the Varsity Bears. Which players have particularly caught your attention with their talent, work ethic, or leadership skills, and why should fans be excited to see them transition to the Varsity level?

Coach Davis’ Answer: Our offensive line was amazing this season and was probably the biggest offensive line you'll see on a JV team.

Carter Burgess and Jackson Muzuk played well at tackle and Jonah Barras and McCray Pruitt were very productive at guard with freshman Leeland Estes at center.

Burgess, Muzuk, Barras, and Pruitt are all going to be varsity players next year and will have a lot of snaps and playing experience together. As a team we averaged 7.3 yards per carry which is a testament to how well those guys played! Coach Jordan and Coach O'Brien are excited about their future together.

Tizere Ware was the leading rusher for the team having 84 rushes for 649 yards and 8 TDs. Cam Robinson led the team in rushing TDs with 10 and added 553 yards on 78 carries.

Sheldon Almers and Evan Gaines were the main targets at wideout for QB Landon Davis.

Gaines finished with 18 receptions for 357 yards and 6 TD's while Almers had 12 receptions for 284 yards and 6 TD's.

Davis threw for 867 yards with 12 touchdowns and three picks and added 137 yards rushing.

Q: Your son, Landon Davis, led the JV team as the starting quarterback this season. He suffered an injury last week in the final game but what was it like coaching him in such an important role, and how did you approach balancing your role as both coach and father on and off the field?

Coach Davis’ Answer: He suffered a torn ACL and will be out awaiting surgery. I hate seeing any of my players injured but it hits hard when it's your own child. I know that God has His hand on Landon and will work this out for his good in the long run.

As far as the coaching part of it goes, it is probably harder on Landon having his dad be the coach. He has high expectations for himself already and I'm sure he wanted to prove to everyone that he earned the position and wasn't just handed it because I was the coach.

He manages the offense extremely well, knows where everyone is supposed to be lined up and gets people in the right spot.

He is also very accurate when throwing the deep ball and can run it when we need him to.

I've coached Landon his whole life so it hasn't been much different at the high school level.

He knows I'm Coach Davis on the field and Dad at home, I think we both enjoy the time together!

Once again, thank you, Charlie. You've done a great job with the JV team, shaping a crop of future varsity Bears who are already making waves. And not to mention your work with the varsity squad as well. We're all rooting for Landon, too. Here's to him bouncing back soon, stronger in every way. This is more than just recovery—it’s a chance for him to return with even sharper edges, a player ready to turn the grind into greatness.

Wrap Up

Well, there you have it—a glimpse into the rising talent that will keep BHP roaring for years to come. This program doesn't just rebuild; it reloads with an eye toward marching deep into the playoffs, season after season. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This year isn’t over, not by a long shot. There's still plenty of football to be played, and this current BHP squad is far from finished.

So, buckle up. Check back with us next week for a full preview of the first-round matchup, and let’s get ready to cheer on your BHP Bears as they take on the challenge. The journey's still unfolding, and it promises to be a wild ride.