Dutch Fork and Gaffney open as HSSR top-ranked teams in 5A

By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Moncks Corner – The more things change, the more they stay the same. Makes no sense really but in the case of South Carolina high school football, the 2025 preseason rankings by the High School Sports Report look very similar to the rankings in previous years.

With transfers being a major part of the landscape, it seems the rich are getting richer as players seek better opportunities.

Regardless of what we hear, a large portion of transfers go to other programs to chase a ring. Certainly not anything wrong with that but stop saying the new program will get your more heavily recruited. If you can play at a high level, go to camps and colleges will find you.

Anyway, back to the rankings. In Class AAAAA Division I, perennial No. 1 and title contender Dutch Fork will sit atop the rankings until someone can knock them off. No team did that last year as Tom Knotts won his ninth state championship. Knotts is closing in on 500 career wins and has 177 wins since taking over at Dutch Fork in 2010.

The Silver Foxes allowed just seven points per game last season and some feel the 2025 defense stands to be even better. Linebacker Raleigh Salters and linemen Julian Walker (Michigan commit) and Luciano Cesario will anchor the unit. Walker is a Georgia transfer.

Two key offensive transfers are running back Cole Martin and receiver Stone Furrey, both from Chapin High. Two solid weapons to aid the development of junior first-year starting quarterback Jaxon Knotts.

Speaking of transfers, Summerville, the Division I state runner-up last fall, has done quite well in the portal. Two key newcomers from Goose Creek are sophomore receiver Teru Davis and senior defensive back Jordan Ravenel.

Summerville also two of the top junior prospects returning in receiver Jaiden Kelly-Murray and running back Jayven Williams. Battling for the starting nod at quarterback are returner Cooper Kafina and transfer Max Stafford.

Spartanburg should be plenty capable offensively with quarterback Trey Burke (ECU), running back Trenton Lynch and receiver Kendarion Keenon all returning as impact performers. The Vikings also a major threat at placekicker in Will Love.

“We like our team a lot,” coach Mark Hodge said. “This group of seniors have put in a lot of time in this program and I expect good things from them. I think offensively we can very good and our defense will build as they go through the season.”

Dorman also stands to be improved this fall, especially on defense where linemen Christian Waring and James Porter return as anchors. Linebacker Kentavion Anderson is a Clemson commitment and running back Nick Means has speed to burn.

Ridge View has a boatload of seniors and solid talent returning. The Blazers need a good season from quarterback Tre Howard. Ridge View’s four losses last season came to Dutch Fork, Northwestern, Summerville and Sumter.

Gaffney, Northwestern favored in Division II

One might expect defending state champion Northwestern to take a fall from the top with the losses to graduation. But, anyone thinking the Trojans are done as a contender are sorely mistaken.

Page Wofford has built a strong program as he enters his seventh season as head coach. A program built to sustain losses in personnel.

Tamarion Watkins returns as a key defensive leader at linebacker but the defensive front must replace four three-year starters with a fresh crop. Quarterback Finley Polk has moved on to college, leaving junior Xavier Means to operate Wofford’s run-and-shoot offense.

 Cam Vance returns as a top receiver and Quay Mobley will shoulder the load in the running game. Oh, by the way, Northwestern returns five starters on the offensive line.

“I feel like we can be pretty good,” Wofford says. “I know our kids and I’ve seen their work ethic over the offseason. We need to stay healthy and continue to grow but we have a chance.”

Former player and assistant coach Donnie Littlejohn takes over the Gaffney program after long-time coach Dan Jones retired. The Indians are loaded with returners and got help from the portal as well.

Quarterback Jayvon Gilmore, an Arkansas commit, returns as a big-time producer offensively. Running back Jaiden McDowell is back from injury and is a game-breaker. Linebackers Ty McGill, Kendarius Bailey and Zyon Ratchford will lead a solid defense.

Irmo lost major production offensively but the Yellow Jackets should be right back in the mix. Gone is quarterback AJ Brand (Va. Tech), who accounted for about 4,600 yards and 57 touchdowns last season. Receiver Donovan Murph reclassified and is now at South Carolina.

Junior running back Amire White should have a big season, along with receiver Maleek Miller.

Berkeley could be a sleeper to watch. The Stags return almost all of their defense, led by linebackers Marcus Henderson, Javon Snead and Kevin Rivers, along with safety Cam Myers.

Offensively, quarterback Henry Rivers, a junior, will be a third-year starter. The entire receiving corps graduated by the running back position is well-stocked with sophomore Bryson McGee and junior Jessie Brown.

HSSR AAAAA Division I preseason top 10

1.    Dutch Fork

2.    Summerville

3.    Spartanburg

4.    Sumter

5.    Dorman

6.    River Bluff

7.    James Island

8.    Ridge View

9.    Ashley Ridge

10.  J.L. Mann

HSSR AAAAA Division II preseason top 10

1.    Gaffney

2.    Northwestern

3.    Irmo

4.    West Florence

5.    Greenwood

6.    Berkeley

7.    T.L. Hanna

8.    Hillcrest

9.    Catawba Ridge

10.  White Knoll