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Senior quarterback Max Stafford threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another Nov. 14 during Summerville’s playoff win over Ashley Ridge. Photo by Roger Lee.
By David Shelton Senior Writer Moncks Corner – After the first-round of the AAAAA state playoffs went about as expected, round two may offer a few more eyebrow raising results. However, expect most of the favored teams to move on to round three. Upsets can and will happen but after 11 weeks of games, we all have a pretty good idea of who the best teams are this season. The only true upset of the first round was Blythewood’ s comeback win over Clover. In Division, defending state champion Dutch Fork had a bye in round one and should be poised for a repeat run. If we have learned anything over the last decade, it’s Tom Knotts doesn’t lose much after November 1. Dutch Fork will be favored in every playoff game but the most intriguing matchup would be if Dorman can reach the Upper State finals against the Silver Foxes. Remember though, Ridge View is a sleeper and already played Dutch Fork close earlier this season. On paper, the Lower State of Division I may be more wide open. The favorite has been Summerville b ut the Green Wave are far from a shoo-in. Summerville gets a shot at revenge when they visit Ashley Ridge in round two. Ashley Ridge dominated the Green Wave during the regular season meeting, 42-19. Plus, this is already a very big rivalry game. The 9-1 Sumter Gamecocks host the 10-1 James Island Trojans in round two. Sumter eliminated James Island from last year’s playoffs so the revenge factor is alive and well. Carolina F orest and Stratford are coming off byes and both are heavily favored in round two. A dark horse in the Lower State of Division I may be Stratford , with a 9-1 record. The Knights have a winning quarterback in Shrine Bowl selection Jachin Davis and also have a big-time running back in Maliq McGowan . Division II The Division II ranks are the deeper of the two divisions with more serious title contenders. Most of the top teams reside in the Upper state but the conversation starts with last year’s two finalists, Northwestern and Irmo . Both teams are as good as they were a year when Northwestern beat Irmo with a last second field goal. Both teams entered the season having to replace big-time quarterbacks and Northwestern’s Xavier Means and Irmo’s Devron Dobson have not missed a beat. Both offenses are explosive and high-scoring so some team will need a great night offensively to keep up. Greenwood and Gaffney , two storied programs, will clash in the second-round with a good team packing up after Friday night. Greenwood has been good all year but can Shrine Bowl quarterback Tristian Lewis , a South Carolina commit as a defensive back, do enough to advance. Speaking of Gaffney, the Indians went through some adversity early but seem to be hitting their stride after a quarterback change. The Indians clearly have the talent to win the Upper State. Two teams to keep an eye on are T.L. Hanna and Hillcrest but both would be dark horses. The Hillcrest at Indian Land game is one to watch in round two. The Lower State probably doesn’t have a team capable of beating Irmo. If there is team to watch it would be Berkeley. The Stags are very good defensively and run the football well . If the Stags can cut down on penalties, they could be around for a while. Lucy Beckham, Lugoff-Elgin and Myrtle Beach have solid teams but taking down Irmo is a tremendous challenge. Second-round Division I-AAAAA matchups Boiling Springs at Dutch Fork Rock Hill at Byrnes Spartanburg at Ridge View Blythewood at Dorman Fort Dorchester at Carolina Forest Summerville at Ashley Ridge James Island at Sumter River Bluff at Stratford Second-round AAAAA Division II Catawba Ridge at Northwestern Gaffney at Greenwood Hillcrest at Indian Land Greenville at T. L. Hanna Lugoff-Elgin at Irmo Lucy Beckham at White Knoll West Florence at Myrtle Beach Westwood at Berkeley
Ashley Ridge senior running back Ryan Campbell (6-0,180) led the Foxes to a 42-19 win over rival Summerville.
The seniors on this year’s Ashley Ridge Swim team will graduate having never lost a region championship meet.
Aiden Manavian runs for a first down during Oceanside Collegiate’s 35-21 win at Ashley Ridge Sept. 12. Photo by Roger Lee.
Berkeley junior QB, Henry Rivers scrambling in the Stags win over Ashley Ridge in the season opener.
Berkeley quarterback Henry Rivers had a big night Aug. 25 to lead the Stags to a 35-21 win at Ashley Ridge. Photo by Roger Lee
Ashley Ridge defensive lineman JT King pressures the Woodland quarterback during the 2025 Dorchester County Showdown.
Kelly Lewis is entering his second year as the Ashley Ridge athletic director.
By Roger Lee Contributing Writer Summerville – Ashley Ridge’s soccer season was going great until the Swamp Foxes ran into an undefeated J.L. Mann squad. The Ashley Ridge Boys won the Mill Town Invitational tournament to jump out to a 6-3 start this season. The team had wins over Rock Hill, Eastside, Catawba Ridge, May River and Stratford , the team that defeated the Swamp Foxes in the 2024 5A Lower State Championship Game . During its stretch to start the 2025 season, Ashley Ridge’s losses came to Bluffton, Cardinal Newman and Wando . “These kids always leave everything on the field and they train hard so I can’t ask for anything more,” coach Nate Harris said. “I like the fight we have. They all believe in themselves and they don’t make excuses.” The Swamp Foxes only lost one more game the entire season, but it cost them a state championship. After sweeping its region to claim the crown, Ashley Ridge opened the 5A, Division 1 Playoffs May 10 with a 4-1 victory over Stratford. The Swamp Foxes then defeated Fort Dorchester 2-1 and James Island 5-3 to advance to the state finals. J.L. Mann (26-0), ranked third nationally and the top team in the state, held off Ashley Ridge (22-4) May 23 during the 5A, Division 1 Boys Soccer Championship . The Patriots capped the season with a 5-3 win over the Swamp Foxes at Memorial Stadium in Columbia to secure the division State Championship . “We are a family whether we win or lose and the 2025 team is a unique team,” Harris said. “These players are very special and they will have memories. While at first it was painful, over time they will remember this fantastic season and the friendships we’ve had. I am so thankful for the crowd we had all season and the support our principal and entire athletic department gave us.” This season four-year starter and team captain Beckham Harris , the coach’s son, became the first player in school history to win 34 straight region matches. His brother, Nathaniel Harris , won 32 straight during his four seasons at Ashley Ridge before graduating in 2024. Neither has ever lost a region match. Beckham Harris, a midfielder who has signed with William and Mary , is one of only 18 players in the state selected for the Clash of the Carolinas All-Star Game . He scored 15 goals his senior season and had 10 assists. He also made 27 steals while helping Ashley Ridge to the Lower State Championship and Region 8 Championship . He was the team leader for goals and assists and was second in steals. Junior Austin Butts was the leader in steals and had 12 goals and eight assists. Senior captain Bennett Boomershine was one of only 18 players selected for the North-South Classic Boys All-Star Team . Seniors Jett Buelna, Zion Spivey, Abdullah Shehab and Ashton Bice were also key to AR’s success this season. Other members of the team are Austin Fuller, Josh DeSouza, Aaron Mata Vera, Keith McCune, Charlie Smith, Brennan Awtry, Luis Landaeta, Abdullah Shehab, Nickolai Kunitsa, Landon Shabeldeen, Elijah Dunkerley and Brycen McCoy . Other post-season honors Brooke Price was selected for the South Carolina Girls All-star Team for the Clash of the Carolinas . Price, who has signed with Newberry College , is a midfielder who helped the Lady Swamp Foxes advance to the second round of the state playoffs. Ashley Ridge midfielder Kierstyn Davenport was named to the South All-Stars team for the North-South Soccer Classic . Ashley Ridge pitcher Noah Seguer was selected for the 2025 North-South Baseball All-star Series .