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Luke Brown (20) intercepts Monroe’s quarterback for East Surry’s second pick of the game in last season’s third-round playoff game.

JR Willoughby Photography

East Surry’s Joshua Parker (32) prevents Monroe’s quarterback from scrambling during their third-round playoff game in 2021.

JR Willoughby Photography

Call it a rematch, a sequel or maybe just déjà vu.

No. 2 East Surry is set to host No. 7 Monroe in the third round of the 2022 2A State Playoffs on Nov. 18, which comes 364 days after…well, after No. 7 East Surry hosted No. 7 Monroe in the third round of the 2021 2A State Playoffs.

The Cardinals once again come into the Sweet 16 matchup undefeated, and the Redhawks travel to Pilot Mountain with just one loss all season. Monroe scored 117 points through its first two playoff games in 2021, and has scored 111 through the first two rounds this season.

The two offensive powerhouses were caught in a defensive standoff in 2021, with East Surry holding on to win 10-9 after a late field goal from Stephen Brantley. The Cardinals handed the Redhawks, who spent 2017-2021 in the 3A division, their first loss to a team in the 2A division in nearly five years.

Their 2021 battle was the first victory for East Surry over Monroe, with the Redhawks defeating the Cardinals in the 1A State Playoffs three consecutive seasons from 2010-12. Neither team has lost at home in the series.

AT FIRST GLANCE

East Surry Cardinals

Record: 12-0 overall, 6-0 Foothills 2A Conference (Champion)

Current streak: 12 wins

Playoff seed: No. 2

Key regular season victories: 55-7 vs. Starmount, 14-12 @ Mount Airy, 41-19 vs. Wilkes Central

Losses: None

Opponents’ winning percentage: .485 (63-67)

Wins against teams that finished over .500: 5

Playoff scores: 42-0 vs. No. 31 Anson, 21-16 vs. No. 15 Hendersonville

Monroe Redhawks

Record: 11-1 overall, 4-0 Rocky River 2A/3A Conference (Champion)

Current streak: 6 wins

Playoff seed: No. 7

Key regular season victories: 28-6 vs. Marvin Ridge, 21-19 @ Forest Hills

Losses: 24-20 vs. Porter Ridge

Opponents’ winning percentage: .406 (52-76)

Wins against teams that finished over .500: 2

Playoff scores: 56-6 vs. No. 26 North Stanly, 55-7 vs. No. 23 Lincolnton

OFFENSE

East Surry Cardinals

Passing yards per game: 238.5

Yards per completion: 13.3

Passing TD per game: 3.8

Rushing YPG: 167.7

Yards per carry: 7.1

Rushing TD per game: 2.5

TDs per game: 6.6

Total YPG: 406.2

Total points scored: 548

Points per game: 45.7

QB Folger Boaz (SR) – 2,832 yards passing, 211-of-303 completions, .696 completion percentage, 46 passing TDs, 5 interceptions, 81 carries for 632 yards, 7 rushing TDs, 1 2-point conversion rush, 3,464 total yards

RB Kyle Zinn (SR) – 50 carries for 396 yards, 33.0 YPG rushing, 7.9 yards per carry, 6 rushing TDs, 1 2-point conversion rush, 29 receptions for 332 yards, 5 receiving TDs, 1 2-point conversion reception, 728 total yards

RB/WR Colby Johnson (SR) – 67 receptions for 833 yards, 69.4 YPG receiving, 12.4 yards per reception, 11 receiving TDs, 1 2-point conversion reception, 37 carries for 252 yards, 6 rushing TDs, 1 2-point conversion rush, 1,275 total yards

WR Matthew Keener (SR) – 36 receptions for 626 yards, 56.9 YPG receiving, 17.4 yards per reception, 13 receiving TDs

WR Luke Brown (SR) – 25 receptions for 514 yards, 57.1 YPG receiving, 20.6 yards per reception, 10 receiving TDs

TE Stephen Brantley (SR) – 22 receptions for 273 yards, 24.8 YPG receiving, 12.4 yards per reception, 4 receiving TDs

Monroe Redhawks

Passing yards per game: 195.5

Yards per completion: 17.5

Passing TD per game: 1.9

Rushing YPG: 214.2

Yards per carry: 9.5

Rushing TD per game: 4.2

TDs per game: 6.4

Total YPG: 409.7

Total points scored: 557

Points per game: 46.4

QB Khamoni Robinson (SR) – 2,295 yards passing, 133-of-184 completions, .723 completion percentage, 22 passing TDs, 2 interceptions, 26 carries for 235 yards, 7 rushing TDs, 2,530 total yards

RB Nate Crosby (JR) – 128 carries for 1,298 yards, 118.0 YPG rushing, 10.1 yards per carry, 21 rushing TDs, 21 receptions for 235 yards, 2 receiving TDs, 1,533 total yards

RB Zion Lindsey (SOPH) – 56 carries for 437 yards, 36.4 YPG rushing, 7.8 yards per carry, 14 rushing TDs

RB/WR Zach Melton (JR) – 30 carries for 277 yards, 23.1 YPG rushing, 9.2 yards per carry, 2 rushing TDs, 31 receptions for 576 yards, 48.0 YPG receiving, 18.6 yards per reception, 7 receiving TDs

WR Jordan Young (SOPH) – 35 receptions for 785 yards, 65.4 YPG receiving, 22.4 yards per reception, 10 receiving TDs

WR Bryce Davis (SR) – 38 receptions for 688 yards, 57.3 YPG receiving, 18.1 yards per reception, 4 receiving TDs, 5 2-point conversion receptions

DEFENSE

East Surry Cardinals

PPG allowed: 9.7

Total points allowed: 116

Shutout victories: 3

Tackles per game: 60.9

Tackles for a loss per game: 9.0

Sacks per game: 2.3

QB Hurries per game: 2.3

Caused fumbles: 11

Fumble recoveries: 10

Interceptions: 12

Interceptions yards: 150

Passes defensed: 36

Blocked punts: 1

Blocked field goals: 1

Fumbles returned for a TD: 1

Interceptions returned for a TD: 2

Safeties: 0

OLB Brett Clayton (SR) – 94 solo tackles, 105 total tackles, 8.8 tackles per game, 30.0 tackles for a loss, 14.0 sacks, 11 QB hurries, 5 caused fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 pass defensed

OLB Kyle Zinn (SR) – 49 solo tackles, 54 total tackles, 15.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 5 QB hurries, three interceptions, two interceptions returned for a touchdown, 3 passes defensed, two caused fumbles

ILB Hatcher Hamm (SOPH) – 99 solo tackles, 105 total tackles, 9.6 tackles per game, 21.0 tackles for a loss, 1 QB hurry, 1 fumble recovered for a TD, 1 pass defensed

ILB Joshua Parker (SR) – 53 solo tackles, 70 total tackles, 5.8 tackles per game, 3.0 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sack, 1 forced fumble

DL Daniel Villasenor (SR) – 42 solo tackles, 51 total tackles, 4.6 tackles per game, 6.0 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sacks, 4 QB hurries

DB Will Jones (JR) – 6 interceptions, 8 passes defensed, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 blocked punt, 30 solo tackles, 39 total tackles, 2.0 TFL

Monroe Redhawks

PPG allowed: 7.4

Total points allowed: 89

Shutout victories: 4

Tackles per game: 57.9

Tackles for a loss per game: 8.5

Sacks per game: 1.6

QB Hurries per game: n/a

Caused fumbles: 11

Fumble recoveries: 12

Interceptions: 19

Interceptions yards: 373

Passes defensed: 7

Blocked punts: 3

Blocked field goals: 0

Fumbles returned for a TD: 2

Interceptions returned for a TD: 3

Safeties: 1

LB Cread Simpson (SR) – 65 solo tackles, 104 total tackles, 9.5 tackles per game, 10.0 tackles for a loss, 2 fumble recoveries

LB Elijah Shaw (SR) – 58 solo tackles, 94 total tackles, 9.4 tackles per game, 20.0 tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 2 caused fumbles, 1 fumble recovery

LB Yoel Deleon (SOPH) – 42 solo tackles, 58 total tackles, 5.2 tackles per game, 16.0 tackles for a loss, 6.0 sacks, 1 caused fumble, 1 fumble recovery

DT Kemari Laney (SR) – 42 solo tackles, 15 total tackles, 5.3 tackles per game, 15.0 tackles for a loss, 4.0 sacks

CB Jordan Young (SOPH) – 8 interceptions, 1 interception returned for a TD, 212 interception yards, 3 passes defensed, two blocked punts, 29 solo tackles, 31 total tackles

CB Josiah Knotts (SR) – 4 interceptions, 40 interception yards, 4 passes defensed, 13 total tackles

SPECIAL TEAMS

East Surry Cardinals

Stephen Brantley (SR) – 23-of-30 PATs, 1-of-1 field goals (45 yards), 19 kickoffs for 898 yards and 14 touchbacks, 16 punts for 669 yards, 41.8 yards punt average, 8 punts inside the 20

Joshua Parker (SR) – 29-of-34 PATs

Kyle Zinn (SR) – 139 return yards

Luke Brown (SR) – 53 return yards

Monroe Redhawks

Junior Araujo (SR) – 28-of-36 PATs, 44 kickoffs for 2,087 yards

Cread Simpson (SR) – 13-of-18 PATs, 16 kickoffs for 700 yards

Jayden Olden (JR) – 10 punts for 310 yards, 31.0 yards punt average

Zach Melton (JR) – 1 kickoff returned for a touchdown, 404 return yards

Jordan Young (SOPH) – 1 kickoff returned for a touchdown, 60 return yards

Reach Cory on Twitter @MaNewsSports

By ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist Paul Letlow

Georgia State has shown a knack for turning its season around after rocky starts.

Like ULM (3-6, 2-3 Sun Belt), the Panthers usually play their toughest non-conference games early. The first stretch of the 2022 campaign saw Georgia State open 0-4 with losses to South Carolina and North Carolina, then drop a disappointing shootout with Charlotte before stumbling against Coastal Carolina to begin Sun Belt Conference play.

But since then, the Panthers (4-5, 3-2 Sun Belt) have won four of their last five, including a decisive 42-14 victory over Southern Miss last Saturday.

"They are going to be a great challenge for us," ULM coach Terry Bowden said, "because Georgia State is doing what Georgia State does since Shawn Elliott has gotten there. They play a very difficult schedule to begin with. They're 0-4; they were 1-4 last year. And every year, the last three, they go to a bowl."

Georgia State was 1-4 when it faced ULM in Monroe last year and walked away with a 55-21 win over the Warhawks. The Panthers finished 8-5 with a 51-20 romp over Ball State in the TaxAct Camellia Bowl.

It's a resilient program that Bowden wants his own players to admire and emulate.

"A tough preseason schedule may get you beat," Bowden said. "You may lose a game, but don't lose confidence. Believe in yourself because the conference is not done and your season is not over until November."

This week it's ULM's turn to travel and face Georgia State on Saturday at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is noon CST.

"Louisiana Monroe is coming in here for our last home game and it's going to be Senior Day this weekend," GSU coach Shawn Elliott said. "They are a very talented football team. I think they've gotten much better from a year ago. Credit their coaching staff and everybody down there. They're playing hard.

"If you look at their contests going back to Texas, and watching them play at Alabama and playing Army, they present some problems."

Elliott, who rose up through the ranks at Appalachian State, built a program in Atlanta with similar traits. The Panthers have played in bowl games in four of Elliott's five seasons.

"It's hard to watch Georgia State without thinking of Appalachian State," Bowden said. "I remember Shawn when he was at Appalachian State and I've coached against them many times. It's going to be a heck of a running attack, with the quarterback and running back, and they're going to play tenacious defense."

Georgia State is coming off a record-setting performance against Southern Miss as its defense allowed just 202 yards of total offense, the lowest figure in school history.

In consecutive wins over Old Dominion and Southern Miss, the Panthers allowed a total of 485 yards of offense, including just 59 yards rushing, and collected 13 sacks. Hot hands include defensive linemen Thomas Gore (4 TFL, 3.5 sacks), Javon Denis (3 TFL, 2 sacks) and Jeffery Clark (3.5 TFL, 3 sacks), who combined for 10.5 TFL including 8.5 sacks in those outings.

With 20 takeaways, Georgia State ranks No. 8 in NCAA FBS. Cornerback Quavian White stands No. 8 in FBS with four interceptions while linebacker Jordan Veneziale is second in FBS with three fumble recoveries.

"They've forced 20 compared to six for us," said Bowden, whose team beat Texas State last week despite committing four turnovers. "That kind of tells you how good they are. If we don't secure the football and make good decisions, they're going to eat that up.

"If we have turnovers like last week, you can forget winning a football game against Georgia State."

GSU features two of the top tacklers in the Sun Belt, in safety Antavious Lane and Veneziale, who are tied for fifth in league with 8.1 tackles per game. Lane leads the league and is No. 3 in FBS with 6.1 solo tackles pg.

Georgia State's offense is loaded with playmakers and seems to have limitless depth in a high-performance running game. Junior running back Marcus Carroll rushed for 163 yards with three rushing touchdowns in his first career start against Southern Miss. The Panthers, who rushed for 388 yards in the win, lead the Sun Belt and rank No. 5 in FBS in rushing with 248.1 yards per game.

Carroll picked up the slack for injured super senior running back Tucker Gregg, who became Georgia State's career rushing leader in the Old Dominion win. The former walk-on now has 2,193 career yards and ranks second in school history with 25 career touchdowns.

Dual-threat quarterback Darren Grainger ran for 143 yards rushing against Southern Miss for his second-straight 100-yard game. Since becoming the starter last year, Grainger has accounted for 41 touchdowns in 20 starts (34 passing, 7 rushing).

Against ULM last year, Grainger threw four touchdown passes and rushed for a fifth score, tying the school record by accounting for five TDs.

"We've got to continue doing the things that we've done the last few weeks ," Elliott said. "What I mean is, we haven't let our emotions get the better of us like we did early in the season. We've stayed focused and very consistent in our thoughts and not let the highs get too high or the lows get too low.

"And it's done quite well for our football team."

Just peachy: ULM's 2022 roster features five players from the state of Georgia, including defensive tackle Tyrese Black (McDonough, Eagles Landing Christian Academy), wide receiver Jalen Jackson (Powder Springs, Hillgrove), right tackle Keydrell Lewis (Atlanta, Mallard Creek, N.C.) wide receiver Fred Lloyd Jr. (Tifton, Tift County HS) and wide receiver Dariyan Wiley (Atlanta, Douglas County).

Panther pause: Georgia State leads the series with ULM 4-3, with wins in four of the last five meetings. The Panthers have averaged exactly 50 points in their four wins over ULM. … GSU has topped 200-plus rushing yards in 15 of its last 17 games. … Grainger has rushed for 339 yards over the last three games (113.0 ypg.). … Georgia State boasts a student enrollment of 52,000.

For The Monroe News

DANSVILLE -- The big, physical presence St. Mary Catholic Central needed at the net was sitting on the Kestrels’ bench throughout their state quarterfinal match with Pewamo-Westphalia.

Unfortunately, SMCC coach Cassie Haut wasn’t allowed to put herself into the game.

PW used its substantial height advantage to knock off the Kestrels in a battle of Division 3 heavyweights 15-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-21 at Dansville Tuesday night.

SMCC finished the regular season as the top ranked team in the division with the Pirates No. 2.

A year ago the same two teams met in the quarterfinals. That time the Kestrels dropped the first set 25-15 but came back to win the next three games. This year everything was reversed and the Pirates got their revenge. SMCC won the first game 25-15 but dropped the next three.

Haut dismissed the Pirates’ physical advantage.

“Truthfully, we beat ourselves,” she said. “They didn’t really do anything that we haven’t seen all season. I just think we got a little bit uptight. Some of the time, the communication wasn’t there.”

PW coach Jon Thelen said his team’s game plan was to serve tough and block big. The Pirates did exactly that, putting up a big block and forcing the Kestrels to hit over it.

SMCC senior setter Mackenzie Niedermeyer said the Kestrels worked in practice on overcoming the block.

“We just kind of got a little complacent in the second set,” she said. “I think we played well overall. We fought hard. We left it all out on the court.”

Niedermeyer -- who has been playing volleyball since fourth grade – called it the toughest loss of her career, but added, “Last year (dropping a five-set heartbreaker in the state finals) was tough too.”

The Kestrels got off to a great start. Sophomore Jessica Costlow started the match with a pair of kills as SMCC jumped out to a 5-0 lead. The Pirates closed the gap to 8-7, but Lauren Conant served a string of points during a 6-0 run as the Kestrels extended an 18-14 advantage to 24-14.

The turning point of the match came early in the second set. PW trailed 7-4 but then racked up eight points in a row for a 12-7 lead. SMCC battled back. It finally caught the Pirates at 23-23 on a Costlow kill off great digs from Niedermeyer and McKenna Payne.

PW setter Taylor Smith went to her big hitter and the Pirates closed out the set on back-to-back kills by Dani Pohl who will play college volleyball next year at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. She finished the night with 15 kills.

SMCC led 11-7 in the third set until PW scored the next five points. Fate seemed to be frowning on the Kestrels after that. Madeline Dettling twisted her ankle and was unable to get to a kill attempt. A pair of PW attacks just clipped the back line.

The Kestrels found themselves forced to play catch-up nearly the entire final set. They trailed 13-7 but fought back and caught the Pirates at 17-17, forcing Thelen to call time-out.

“I just told them to calm down,” the coach said. “The moment started feeling really big again like in that first set.”

PW responded and led the rest of the way. The Pirates’ last three points came on SMCC miscues – a wide hit, a net violation and a service error.

Although both teams scored an identical 90 total points in the match, the Pirates were tougher at crunch time.

Costlow had another big night with 21 kills, 15 digs, 2 blocks and 2 aces, Niedermeyer had 48 assists, Jillian Anderson hit .500 with 8 kills, Payne had 24 digs, Conant 2 aces and 2 blocks, Raelyn Turner 15 digs and Molly Blanchett 7 kills.

Neither team had dropped a set in the postseason until Tuesday. SMCC finishes another outstanding season with a 39-7 record. But anything short of a state championship is a disappointment for the Kestrels who were bidding for their fourth consecutive trip to Battle Creek and their eighth state title over the last 20 years.

PW will take a 44-2-2 record into the state semifinals. Its only losses this season have been to Holland West Ottawa and Lansing Catholic. The Pirates will play eighth-ranked Cass City at noon Friday. Cass City swept Royal Oak Shrine in its quarterfinal 25-20, 25-22, 25-18.

It was the final SMCC match for seniors Kyleigh Cobb, Turner, Conant and Niedermeyer, but the Kestrels will return 11 underclassmen.

“This will just put more fire under their belts when they come back ready for next year,” Haut said.

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Taste of the South Dips, makers of Fried Pickle and Ranch Dip and a variety of other premium ready-to-eat dips recently introduced veggie and sweet dip line extensions now available at all Publix locations. The lineup includes Fried Pickle & Ranch Dip in addition to four new flavors including Salted Caramel Fruit Dip, Vanilla Cream Cheese Fruit Dip, Creamy Chocolate Ganache Fruit Dip, and Buttermilk Ranch Dip. These new Taste of the South items can be found in the Publix produce department.

These new fresh, dairy-based dips will delight customers with exciting fresh-forward veggie and fruit dips from a brand they love. These great-tasting items are lower in calories and sugar than leading veggie and fruit dips and use the highest quality ingredients, including real cream cheese, whipped cream, all-natural sour cream, and premium inclusions. All the dip items will provide consumers with elevated flavor experiences. All five products are available in 12 oz. containers, perfect for sharing with friends and family.

With the expansion into Publix, Taste of the South Fried Pickle Dip is now sold nationwide in over 6,000 locations.“With our manufacturing facilities located in the Southeast, Publix is the perfect partner to launch our new Taste of the South flavors,” said Andrew Smart, CEO of DiscoverFresh Foods, the parent company for the brand Taste of the South. “Bringing these new fresh items with elevated flavor profiles to Publix is an exciting expansion for our brand into the produce department.”Taste of the South items can be found nationwide in retailers like Publix, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Harris Teeter, and many more. Please visit the Taste of the South Product Locator for specific locations.

About Taste of the South Dips BrandTaste of the South Dips provides a variety of great-tasting, premium ready-to-eat dips, appetizers, and table-ready salads that are made with fresh ingredients. The company’s product innovation approach is based on the philosophy that great food connects people across tables, locations, and generations. The products are founded on traditional southern recipes and flavors. They are made with premium quality ingredients to create great-tasting ready-to-eat dips for family gatherings and entertainment occasions.

About DiscoverFresh FoodsDiscoverFresh Foods manufactures fresh ready-to-eat refrigerated dips, spreads, salads, desserts, and bakery products. The company specializes in developing innovative fresh products for retail, convenience, and foodservice distribution channels. Safe Quality Food Program (SQF) Level 2 certified manufacturing facilities are in Easley, SC, and Monroe, NC. Both facilities are supported by national distribution and logistics network capabilities to service their national and regional customers. In-house R&D and Marketing Services teams support brand innovation and package design for both branded and private label partners. Staple items are “homemade” quality foods such as dips, spreads, and desserts, producing both bakery and ready-to-eat products from its manufacturing facilities.

DiscoverFresh Foods partners with national brands looking to penetrate the refrigerated sections of fresh grocery. Companies that partner with DiscoverFresh Foods can take a product from ideation to store shelves and all the steps in between with a single partner.

Junior PJ Hall made his return to the court and led Clemson with 15 points and five rebounds

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson University men’s basketball overcame a nine-point deficit in the second half and tied the game twice, but it wasn’t enough as South Carolina’s Chico Carter Jr. hit a game-winning jumper with 0.8 seconds left in regulation to clinch a 60-58 victory on Friday night.

The Tigers (1-1) saw the return of star center PJ Hall (Spartanburg, S.C./Dorman) who finished with a team-high 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the floor and five rebounds.

Chase Hunter (Atlanta, Ga./Westlake) and Brevin Galloway (Anderson, S.C./Seneca) scored 13 points each, while Hunter Tyson (Monroe, N.C./Piedmont) chipped in 10.

With three minutes to play in the final stanza and the Tigers trailing 58-51, a 7-0 ignited by a Galloway three tied the game with just seconds left.

While the Gamecocks (2-0) held a 58-56 advantage, Galloway’s action on the glass helped the Tigers earn a defensive rebound and would draw a foul and head to the line on the ensuing play. Galloway drained both free throws to tie, South Carolina received heroics of their own with the Carter Jr. game winner.

Clemson was outrebounded by 18 on the glass, which included 19 offensive rebounds for South Carolina.

The Tigers will return to Littlejohn Coliseum on Tuesday, Nov. 15 to face USC Upstate at 7 p.m.

Notes: PJ Hall returned for the floor for the first time this season, scoring 15 points and grabbing five rebounds … it marked his 30th double-digit scoring game and his 17th with at least 15 points … the Tigers took four charges against the Gamecocks bringing their season total to six … Clemson moves to 80-92 all-time against South Carolina, but has still gone 38-20 against the Gamecocks since they left the ACC following the 1971-72 season … Brevin Galloway, Hunter Tyson and Chase Hunter each posted their second double-digit scoring game in as many games this season … Chase Hunter finished the game with five assists and just one turnover – and now has a 12:1 assist-to-turnover ratio this season.

Get the latest news on all things Clemson men’s basketball by following us on Twitter (@ClemsonMBB), Facebook (/ClemsonMBB) and Instagram (@clemsonmbb).