A 2nd half rally enabled Carolina Forest to defeat River Bluff 36-25 in the 2nd round of the Class 5A playoffs on Thursday.

A pair of touchdown runs by Braden Walker erased a 12-point 1st half deficit and put the Gators ahead 22-21 with 6:11 left in the 3rd quarter. The senior finished with a team-high 169 rushing yards. 

The Panthers responded with a scoring drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Mason Garcia and a 2-point conversion to reclaim the lead. 

With 9:56 left in the 4th quarter, Brandon Stiles connected on his 4th field goal of the contest. This time, he hit it from 33 yards to cut the deficit to 29-25. 

Carolina Forest’s David Legette then scored from 5 yards with 5:40 left to close out the scoring. He finished with a game-high 180 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

River Bluff’s season ends with a 9-3 record. The Panthers (11-1) will play host to Friday’s Goose Creek/Summerville winner. 

In Class 3A playoff action , Dillon defeated Wade Hampton 28-21. The Wildcats will next face the winner of Friday’s Gilbert/Lake City contest.

S.C. HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS

(Friday's Games)

ALL GAMES START AT 7:30 pm

Wando at Dutch Fork 

River Bluff at Carolina Forest

Batesburg-Leesville at 

Southside Christian 

Gray Collegiate vs. St.Joseph’s Catholic

(at Midlands Sports Complex in West Columbia) 

Lake City at Gilbert 

Airport at Lower Richland

Wilson at Brookland-Cayce