For the second straight year, Wolverine nation will be hosting the upper state championship game.

Woodruff beat Cheraw 42-20 in the third round of the 2A Division I playoffs on Friday night at W. L. Varner Stadium. The Wolverines will face Strom Thurmond, a 49-21 winner against Emerald, for the upper state crown.

"We're just blessed to be in this position right now," Woodruff coach Brian Lane said. "We came in a few guys short tonight, but we just played hard and as a team. This is what it's about right here. It's going to be very tough next week. Our guys better be ready."

Woodruff (12-0) scored on its first possession on a 2-yard Shun Tribble run midway through the first quarter and never looked back. Tribble added a second touchdown just over a minute later after Caleb Smith recovered a fumble.

The Wolverines led 21-0 late in the second quarter after Ryan Perkins connected with Cyd Wedman on a 23-yard score.

Cheraw (7-5) scored on a short touchdown pass from Malcolm Hunter to John Cooks to cut the deficit to 21-7 just before the half.

"I can't really explain how good it feels (to be going back to upper state)," said Perkins, a senior. "I think last year has really given us a lot of fuel. I think the coaches did a good job of getting us ready for tonight."

Perkins hit Stacey McMahan on a 37-yard pass to put Woodruff up 28-7 with 7:14 left in the third quarter. Perkins finished 18 of 25 for 219 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Tribble and Derrick Brian each scored in the fourth quarter on short runs for Woodruff. Tribble had 17 carries for 105 yards and three scores.

Woodruff fell to Central 40-34 in the upper state title game last year. But Tribble said the Wolverines are determined to take the next step this time around.

"We wanted this bad and every game is a step closer to the state championship," said Tribble, a senior. "Last year we let one slip away (in the upper state), but we're going to work harder this year. We'll be ready Friday and I think we'll have one of our best games of the year."For the second straight year, Wolverine nation will be hosting the upper state championship game.

Woodruff beat Cheraw 42-20 in the third round of the 2A Division I playoffs on Friday night at W. L. Varner Stadium. The Wolverines will face Strom Thurmond, a 49-21 winner against Emerald, for the upper state crown.

"We're just blessed to be in this position right now," Woodruff coach Brian Lane said. "We came in a few guys short tonight, but we just played hard and as a team. This is what it's about right here. It's going to be very tough next week. Our guys better be ready."

Woodruff (12-0) scored on its first possession on a 2-yard Shun Tribble run midway through the first quarter and never looked back. Tribble added a second touchdown just over a minute later after Caleb Smith recovered a fumble.

The Wolverines led 21-0 late in the second quarter after Ryan Perkins connected with Cyd Wedman on a 23-yard score.

Cheraw (7-5) scored on a short touchdown pass from Malcolm Hunter to John Cooks to cut the deficit to 21-7 just before the half.

"I can't really explain how good it feels (to be going back to upper state)," said Perkins, a senior. "I think last year has really given us a lot of fuel. I think the coaches did a good job of getting us ready for tonight."

Perkins hit Stacey McMahan on a 37-yard pass to put Woodruff up 28-7 with 7:14 left in the third quarter. Perkins finished 18 of 25 for 219 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Tribble and Derrick Brian each scored in the fourth quarter on short runs for Woodruff. Tribble had 17 carries for 105 yards and three scores.

Woodruff fell to Central 40-34 in the upper state title game last year. But Tribble said the Wolverines are determined to take the next step this time around.

"We wanted this bad and every game is a step closer to the state championship," said Tribble, a senior. "Last year we let one slip away (in the upper state), but we're going to work harder this year. We'll be ready Friday and I think we'll have one of our best games of the year."