The state football championships began on Friday night, with Lake Marion advancing through the first round to face Dillon this Friday night at 7:30.

The Wildcats received a first round bye and were scheduled to face the winner of the first round game between Lake Marion and Garrett. It was the first playoff win in the school’s history as the Lake Marion Gators defeated Garrett 46-3.

Lake Marion’s Deriante Jenkins completed 10 of 22 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns and also made an interception. Dontrevyion Jones made four receptions for 1-6 yards and two touchdowns; Mike Williams made three catches for 65 yards and a touchdown; Alex Brown made two catches for 82 yards, and Eric Griffin made 16 carries for 125 yards and a touchdown. Alex Brown also made two catches for 82 yards.

On defense for Lake Marion, Tevin Sweat made 24 tackles and a sack; Nekye Fields made 15 tackles; Anderson Owens had eight tackles; and James Valdez had seven tackles. Chris Turner returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown, and Alex Brown scored on a 95-yard interception return.

With the playoff win, the Gators are 6-5 heading into Friday’s game with Dillon. The Wildcats are 9-1 and were the number 2 seed in the Class AA Division I lower state bracket. Lake Marion is the seventh seed.

Elsewhere in the lower state bracket, Wade Hampton defeated Marion 28-8 and will travel to face top-seeded Timberland on Friday; Edisto defeated Ridgeland 45-12 to advance to face to Lake City; and Battery Creek defeated Waccamaw 21-13 to move on to face Loris on Friday.

In the upper state, Crescent defeated Pelion 35-13 and will face Fairfield-Central on Friday; Pendleton defeated Mid-Carolina 9-6 and will face Cheraw; Keenan defeated Eau Claire 28-6 and will face Central; and Newberry defeated Indian Land 42-13 and will face Columbia.

Read more about the first round results in the Class A, Class AA Division II, Class AAA, and Class AAAA online at thedillonherald.com!