---
title: "Ninety Six, Saluda Open Playoff Runs Friday After Byes"
url: https://www.hereclinton.com/2026/11/13/ninety-six-batesburg-leesville-saluda-playoffs-nov-13/
date: 2026-11-13T06:28:32-05:00
modified: 2026-11-13T06:28:32-05:00
author: "HERE Greenwood"
categories: ["High School Sports"]
site: "HERE Clinton"
attribution: "HERE Clinton"
---

# Ninety Six, Saluda Open Playoff Runs Friday After Byes

> NINETY SIX, S.C. — Two Lakelands football teams that sat out the first round of the state playoffs get to work Friday night, Nov. 13, with Ninety Six heading to Batesburg-Leesville and Saluda staying home for a rematch with Orangeburg-Wilkinson. Ninety Six, the No. 10 seed in the Class A Division 1 bracket, plays at

*Source: [HERE Clinton](https://www.hereclinton.com/2026/11/13/ninety-six-batesburg-leesville-saluda-playoffs-nov-13/) — November 13, 2026 by HERE Greenwood*

NINETY SIX, S.C. — Two Lakelands football teams that sat out the first round of the state playoffs get to work Friday night, Nov. 13, with Ninety Six heading to Batesburg-Leesville and Saluda staying home for a rematch with Orangeburg-Wilkinson.

Ninety Six, the No. 10 seed in the Class A Division 1 bracket, plays at No. 7 Batesburg-Leesville in the second round. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at the stadium the Panthers call The Pit.

Wildcats coach Austin Sargent said his team spent the off week mostly getting healthy after nine players caught the flu, while younger players moved up from the C-team got live work. He said the matchup looks fairly even and that a preseason scrimmage against the Panthers went well for Ninety Six.

Quarterback Jacob Evans has hit 127 of 182 throws for 1,718 yards and 23 touchdowns and has run for six more scores. On defense, end Ke Wardlaw has 45 tackles and 13 tackles for loss, and linebacker Mason Ellis has 71 stops.

Batesburg-Leesville started the fall 0-4, losing to Mid-Carolina, Saluda, Strom Thurmond and Gilbert in its first year in Class A. The Panthers have won six straight since, a streak that began by edging Clinton 35-28 in overtime, and went 5-0 to take the Region 2 title. They outscored region opponents 258-30.

Sophomore quarterback Terrance Cook drives that offense. He has 891 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns, plus 1,128 passing yards and 19 touchdown passes with three interceptions. Panthers coach Greg Lawson said his team likes where it landed in the bracket. The winner likely meets No. 2 Central in the third round.

In Class 2A, Saluda (8-2) holds the No. 2 seed in the Lower State and hosts No. 7 Orangeburg-Wilkinson (9-2). Saluda beat the Bruins 56-41 at Orangeburg on Oct. 16, leading 35-14 at the half behind 203 rushing yards and five touchdowns from Tristan Daniels.

Quarterback Avery Coyle has passed for 2,109 yards and 29 touchdowns in his first season at Saluda, and Daniels has 1,381 rushing yards and 23 scores. Orangeburg-Wilkinson rolled up 371 rushing yards in a 28-6 first-round win over Lake Marion. Tigers coach Greg Woerner said beating a good team twice is always hard.

A Saluda win would send the Tigers to the third round for the first time since 2022, when they reached the Upper State final against Abbeville.