Playoffs offer local teams opportunity for redemption, validation

So often, coaches harp on the small things, wanting to ensure the tiniest stain or tarnish the perfection with which he is seeking to create.

But life is full of curve balls, painting the corner so closely its deception is not known until it is too late.

For much of the season, it was all but guaranteed Myrtle Beach would enjoy a little “home cooking” this November, welcoming teams to Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium for the first two rounds of the playoffs.

All it took was a single play – a gutsy decision by Marlboro County head coach Dean Boyd – and inevitably one point that erased all Seahawk dreams of a region title, and the expectation of spending much of the postseason at home.

Unofficially, the playoffs began weeks ago, with teams scratching and clawing through rigorous region slates in an effort to qualify for postseason play. Friday night’s Myrtle Beach-Marlboro County tilt furthered the notion, both teams leaving everything on the field as if there was no tomorrow.

The only difference this coming Friday night, though? A loss, and there is no tomorrow.

Here is a brief look at each of classification and its top contenders, as well as prospects for local teams.

Class 5A

Favorite(s): Dutch Fork, Fort Dorchester and Northwestern

Top contenders: Boiling Springs, Spartanburg, Sumter and Westside

Grand Strand teams in: Carolina Forest and Conway

Local outlook: It’s an understatement to say Conway is on a roll. The Tigers have won four of their past five games, scoring at least 30 points in each contest.

Winning games in the regular season has not been the problem in recent years for Conway – or the area’s Class 5A teams, for that matter – the problem has become earning victories in the postseason. The Tigers get another shot at home this Friday, taking on a Goose Creek team that despite its 3-7 record has dangerous potential.

Should Conway win, a visit from either Spring Valley or West Ashley looms.

On the other hand is Carolina Forest, which is on a three-game losing streak following a 6-1 start. The Panthers are seeking their first playoff win at the state’s top classification, but must do so on the road against a balanced Summerville team.

If able to escape the Lowcountry with a win, a matchup with top-ranked Dutch Fork likely awaits.

Class 4A

Favorite: South Pointe

Top contenders: Belton-Honea Path, Berkeley, Hartsville, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach

Grand Strand teams in: Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach

Local outlook: Despite sitting on one of Class 4A’s top two spots in the rankings, Myrtle Beach will likely spend a large share of its postseason journey on the road. By virtue of the Seahawks’ 56-55 loss to Marlboro County, they fell to Region VII-4A’s No. 3 spot.

That could spell trouble for A.C. Flora (6-5), which will host Myrtle Beach in the first round. If the Seahawks advance, the likely matchup is one with Hartsville – a Lower State final-caliber game in the second round.

Last year, Myrtle Beach downed the Red Foxes 52-49 in a Lower State semifinal. Unlike the teams’ 2015 tilt, this one will not be at Doug Shaw Stadium, with Hartsville the host team in this instance after winning Region VI-4A.

As a result of the Seahawks’ misfortune, North Myrtle Beach was more than happy to pick up the pieces. Winning Region VII-4A’s top spot as a result of a tiebreaker, the Chiefs are at home on Friday night against Dreher.

Should it defeat the Blue Devils, a potential second-round clash with Cane Bay awaits. Should it occur, both North Myrtle Beach and the Cobras would come into the game 10-1.

Class 3A

Favorite: Dillon

Top contenders: Bluffton, Brookland-Cayce, Fairfield Central, Newberry and Lake City

Grand Strand teams in: Georgetown and Loris

Local outlook: As a result of the teams’ third- and fourth-place finishes in Region VI-3A, Georgetown and Loris will spend the duration of their respective times in the playoffs on the road. Not to mention both face relatively solid opponents.

Loris has the tougher task, paying a trip to perennial powerhouse Timberland. Meanwhile, Georgetown will visit Manning to take on a very versatile Monarchs offense.

It is winnable game for the Bulldogs; however, they are likely to travel to play a 9-1 Brookland Cayce team in the second round.

All in all, unless someone is able to knock Dillon off, the title is the Wildcats’ to lose.

Class 2A

Favorite: Abbeville

Top contenders: Allendale-Fairfax, Andrews, Bamberg-Ehrhardt, Barnwell, Batesburg-Leesville, Calhoun County, Carvers Bay, Cheraw and Saluda

Grand Strand teams: Carvers Bay

Local outlook: Carvers Bay earned Region VII-2A’s top seed after winning a three-way tie with co-champions Andrews and Latta. Fortunately for the Bears, a large share of the Lower State bracket’s top teams are not located in their grouping.

A cache of contenders including Allendale-Fairfax, Andrews, Bamberg-Ehrhardt, Batesburg-Leesville and Calhoun County find themselves in the Lower State’s bottom half, meaning a good team will be among the first knocked out. But for Carvers Bay, it could be exactly what helps it to the Lower State semifinal round, where a potential clash with Barnwell looms.

Class A

Favorite: Lamar

Top contenders: Lake View, McBee and Williston-Elko

Grand Strand teams in: Green Sea Floyds

Local outlook: The quirkiness of the Class A bracket can be found in a single matchup – the fact a 5-5 Green Sea Floyds team is traveling to Military Magnet, a one-win ballclub.

Coach Tony Sullivan and the Trojans don’t generate the bracket, playing whatever team is put before them. Expect Green Sea Floyds to go down to the Charleston area and get the job done, setting up a potential second-round matchup with a strong C.E. Murray team.

Second-ranked Lake View would likely loom for the winner of that one.

This story was originally published November 15, 2016 at 6:57 PM with the headline "Playoffs offer local teams opportunity for redemption, validation."