Berkeley quarterback Henry Rivers slips through a tackle Oct. 23 at Cane Bay.

the 2026 Touchstone Energy Bowl will be played on Saturday, December 12, at Myrtle Beach High School’s Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium with the kickoff at noon.

By David Shelton Senior Writer Summerville – By the time the November issue of the High School Sports Report goes to press in early November, the pairings and seedings for the AAAAA state football playoffs will be known.  The regular season ends on Oct. 30 with round one of the postseason set for the first Friday night in November. Thus begins the five week trek to the state championship game. Class AAAAA has a clear favorite to win the state title. Defending champion Dutch Fork has shown to be a dominant team with a great defense and an offense that routinely puts up big numbers. Senior quarterback Jaxon Knotts has evolved and matured into one of the state’s top passers, and receiver Maleek Miller is just one of several perimeter weapons. While the Silver Foxes are certainly the team to beat, there are a handful of teams that have the personnel and coaching to put some pressure on Dutch Fork. Northwestern won the last two Division II state titles but that division is no more. Thus, coach Page Wofford and multi-talented quarterback Xavier Means are hoping to contend again. Northwestern has rolled through opponents, scoring at least 50 points in five straight games. The Trojans face a region showdown with Dorman on Oct. 9. The Cavaliers are 6-0 and have shown a steady hand to win close games. Region 2-AAAAA is clearly the top league this fall. Joining Dorman and Northwestern are 5-1 Rock Hill , 5-1 Boiling Springs , and 5-1 Fort Mill . If any of those teams are the “sleeper” in the Upper State it would be Rock Hill. River Bluff and Byrnes should be listed as teams with a chance to advance at least into round three but neither is a true title contender. Undefeated James Island is the top team in the Lower State and, with a weak region, should enter the playoffs with a perfect record. The Trojans have great balance offensively with several playmakers, while the defense is strong at all three levels. Other teams in the Lower State with potential to advance include Ridge View, Sumter, Summervill e and of course Berkeley. Berkeley’s lone loss was to Northwestern. Carolina Forest could also be a team to watch and plays Berkeley in a key region 6-AAAAA clash on Oct. 9.

“We have also been blessed to have had a lot of amazing quarterbacks at Northwestern and Xavier Means is one of them,” said Coach Page Wofford.

Berkeley senior QB Henry Rivers continues to put up impressive stats.

Dutch Fork senior QB Jaxon Knotts returns after passing the 2,000-yard mark last season.

By Billy G. Baker Publisher Moncks Corner— The Berkeley Stags have served notice, with their back-to-back wins over Stratford (36-0) and Fort Dorchester (44-15) that they are a strong contender to compete for a Region 6-AAAAA title this season, and they should also have a deep play-off run as head coach Eric Lodge enters his 4 th season as the head football coach of the Stags. This week Berkeley is on the road to play against St . James High located just south of Myrtle Beach. Berkeley built a 14-0 first quarter against Stratford in the first game of the season on a four-line TD run by running back L. J . Washington and a 14-yard run by QB Henry Rivers. Berkeley went on to compile 447 yards of total offense in their most dominating win over their county rival in recent memory. “Football wise, I felt like we came out and played pretty well tonight against Stratford,” said Berkeley head coach Eric Lodge, beginning his 4 th season with the Stags after a long coaching stint in Florida. “There are a few things, here and there that we need to clean up, especially the penalties that are not to my liking,” said Coach Lodge from his office after the game. “Over-all I am pleased with our performance. Anytime you shut a team out I feel like that is a complete team accomplishment in all three phases of the game.” Coach Lodge was pleased with the Stags balanced offensive attack in the season opening home game. Rivers, who recently committed to the C of C for baseball, completed 12-of-21 passes for 253 yards while the Stags also compiled 193 rushing yards on 34 carries in the game against the Knights. Rivers also rushed for 93 yards on 10 carries with two rushing touchdowns against Stratford. Senior RB LJ Washington added 46 yards on 10 carries with two touchdowns. Junior Dylan Howard added 29 yards on two carries in the win over Stratford. The Stags top receivers against Stratford were senior Ashton Hyche (6-1, 182) who caught three passes for 43 yards and a TD along with junior Bryson McGee who had two catches for 40 yards and a touchdown. “We have really capable receivers, and really capable running backs, along with a very capable quarterback who can make all the throws, plus make plays with his feet, so I think our balance comes from our various ways we can attack a defense,” said Coach Lodge. Coach Lodge also cited the play of the Stag’s offensive line. “Our left tackle is senior Caden Freeman (6-4,332) and he is like the elder statesman of our offensive line with leadership and experience,” said Coach Lodge. “We have a little rotation going with our guards.  Sophomore Elijah Pennie (6-0, 286) started at left guard tonight and we have a very bright future with him being able to play all five spots, and we are excited to have him for another three seasons. “Junior Jaxtin Gibson (6-0,306) is our center and junior Sy’ion Holmes (6-2, 213) is starting at right guard and junior Connor Finley (6-2, 302) is our right tackle,” said Coach Lodge. On defense, against the Knights, the top three tacklers were senior DL Aiden President (5-10, 210) with seven tackles, including two TFL. He can play on the edge or nose. “Aiden is a little under-sized and we are known for that,” said Coach Lodge. “He is super quick, fast and hard to block,” said Coach Lodge. Junior DE Chance Coleman (5-11, 209) had five tackles, while junior OLB/FS Copeland President contributed five tackles Also. DB’s Hyche and senior Jessie Brown each had one interception on defense. “We really like our defensive front,” said Coach Lodge. “We feel like we have 8 guys who we can rotate in-an-out of the defensive front. When you have a shut-out I consider it a complete team effort. Someone might not have an eye- popping stats but everyone played well together as a unit, and I am proud of their efforts for sure.” The Stags also have an effective place kicker in senior Ryland Kirkland who barely missed two field goal attempts during the game in the 40-yard range. Coach Lodge said that the Stag’s off-season program has been a key to his team’s success. “I will put our off-season program up against anyone else’s in the country,” said Coach Lodge. “Some of team’s might have nicer things then us but our strength and conditioning program is what we focus on, and we feel like we are in great shape as a team.” The stats leaders for Berkeley after two big wins are quite impressive. Rivers has completed 32-of-50 passes for 520 yards and seven TD’s. He has also rushed for 207 yards on 17 carries and one TD. The top RB’s are Washington who has 13 carries for 56 yards and two TD’s while Bryson McGee has 65 yards on 10 carries and one TD. The Stags have five receivers with five catches or more after two games. They are McGee (7-for-96), Elijah Mitchell (2-93), John Cleveland (5-89-2 TD), Malik Callen (5-88-3 TD) and Jonathan Mitchell (5-69). Three defensive players have 10 tackles after two games. They are MLB Marshaun Porchia , OLB Copeland President , and LB Tyren Odoms . LB Avery Everett has 9 hits on the tackle index followed by DL Malik Croker with 8. DE Chance Coleman has six tackles, four TFL and three sacks.

Berkeley QB Henry Rivers scrambling in a game last season.

Berkeley head football coach Eric Lodge guided the Stags to a 10-3 record last fall and looks for continued growth in 2026.