The Timberland Wolves (7-3) varsity football team from St. Stephen, SC, will host a home playoff game against the Lake City Panthers (4-6) on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) for Class AA.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: South Carolina High School Football
Who: Timberland vs Lake City
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM
Bracket: 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AA Football
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Game preview: Timberland vs Lake City

The Lake City Panthers and Timberland Wolves are set to face off in a highly anticipated playoff game on November 15 at 7:30 p.m. This matchup, taking place in St. Stephen, South Carolina, marks the second meeting of the season between these two teams. Their previous encounter on August 30 ended in a nail-biting 28-26 victory for Lake City. With both teams eager to advance in the playoffs, this rematch promises to be an intense showdown.

Season Performance and Rankings

Both teams have shown promise this season, though Timberland enters the game with a stronger record. Here’s a breakdown of each team’s season so far:

• Lake City Panthers
  • Record: 4-6 (3-3 in Region)
  • Class Rank: 145
  • Region Rank: 20
  • Points For/Against: 218 PF, 201 PA
  • Scoring Average: 21.8 points per game
• Timberland Wolves
  • Record: 7-3 (4-1 in Region)
  • Class Rank: 111
  • Region Rank: 14
  • Points For/Against: 291 PF, 142 PA
  • Scoring Average: 29.1 points per game

Timberland’s strong season is evident in their .700 winning percentage and their potent defense, which has allowed only 142 points all season. Lake City, on the other hand, has struggled with consistency, though their narrow victory over Timberland earlier in the season demonstrates their potential to compete with top teams.

Team Scoring Breakdown

Examining scoring trends across quarters for each team reveals a few insights into their strengths and weaknesses:

• Lake City Panthers
  • Strongest in the first two quarters, averaging 8.0 points each
  • Score drops significantly in the third and fourth quarters
• Timberland Wolves
  • Solid scoring throughout the game, especially in the second and third quarters
  • Score tends to dip in the fourth quarter

Timberland’s higher scoring average could make them difficult to contain, though Lake City’s early-game strength may give them an edge if they can establish momentum quickly.

Previous Matchup: Lake City 28, Timberland 26

In their first matchup on August 30, Lake City emerged victorious by a mere two points. Timberland put up a tough fight, but Lake City’s defense held strong when it mattered most. This close result highlights just how competitive these teams are when facing each other, setting the stage for an exciting rematch.

Common Opponents

The two teams share one common opponent, Kingstree:

• Lake City: Lost to Kingstree, 16-14, on September 26
• Timberland: Defeated Kingstree, 28-6, on September 12

Timberland’s decisive win over Kingstree, compared to Lake City’s narrow loss, further suggests Timberland’s potential advantage. However, Lake City’s proven resilience could make the game much closer than statistics indicate.

Final Thoughts

With Timberland holding a superior record and a higher scoring average, they appear to have the upper hand on paper. However, Lake City’s previous win over Timberland and their knack for competitive play make this an unpredictable matchup. Timberland will be looking to settle the score, while Lake City aims to repeat their early-season success and continue their playoff run. Fans can expect a thrilling playoff battle that could go down to the final minutes.