Everybody Chasing Abbeville Once Again In Class A Football In SC

Billy Baker • August 27, 2025

Lake View's Jalen Clark.

HSSR Class A Football Ranking (As of August, 25)

1. Abbeville

2.Lewisville

3. Cross

4. Bamberg-Ehrhardt

5. Latta

6. Lake View

7. HKT

8. Carvers Bay

9. Johnsonville

10. Lamar

11. Blackville-Hilda

12. Branchville

13. Baptist Hill

14. Hannah-Pamplico

15. Dixie

 

By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

Moncks Corner—Around this time a year ago, the HSSR began the regular season with Abbeville and Cross ranked one-two in our Class A ranking the week before the 2024 season began.


Four months later, these two teams met for the Class A state championship at South Carolina State University.  Abbeville advanced to the finals with a 42-18 win over Trent Usher’s Lewisville Lions while Cross defeated Lake View, 36-7 to punch their ticket to the gold medal round. In the finals Abbeville’s potent ground attack earned a 58-20 win over the Trojans. It was the Panthers 9th state football title in 15 seasons under the outstanding coaching of Jamie Nickles, a proud   graduate of Abbeville High where he learned to compete as an honor graduate of the late Dennis Botts coaching academy in the early 1990’s.


One year later Abbeville will enter the 2025 season ranked number one once again. The next four Class A teams from two to five include second ranked Lewisville, with Cross, Bamberg-Ehrhardt, and Latta rounding out the top five respectively. Johnsonville, under the tutelage of Ken Cribb holds down the number six spot coming into the season, followed by Lake View, HKT, Lamar, and Blackville-Hilda round out the top 10.   


Region 1-A Predicted Order Of Finish:

1. Abbeville

2. Dixie

3. Whitmire

4. Ware Shoals

5. McCormick

6. Calhoun Falls


ABBEVILLE:

In Abbeville, the Panthers rarely rebuild; they reload, and keep pounding you. Last year they defeated teams 703-216 in compiling 13 wins. On offense the “A” bone produced 4,915 yards of rushing offense and 79 touchdowns.


Abbeville was a senior laden team a year ago. They were led by South Carolina signee Demarcus Leach. In the championship game against Cross, he rushed for 118 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns. Leach also returned an interception 81 yards on a pick six during the game.


The key to Abbeville’s success this season will be finding a replacement for Leach at quarterback. Despite heavy graduation losses a core group of experienced seniors are back to provide leadership. 


Senior RB Darius Riley is back after rushing for 750 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago. The brother senior duo of Jaden Baylor at WR and Jaylen Baylor at FS/WR return and these are two impact players. Jaden will convert over to the QB position this season. Kamyon Jones (6-3,275) also returns to provide leadership in the offensive line at left guard.


On defense, Kendall Cole will be counted on to step up as a senior on the defensive front along with Xzavier Walton (6-0,290) wo returns at NG/DT.  (Please see in-depth feature story on Abbeville football elsewhere in this issue).

 

DIXIE:

The Hornets were a vastly improved team in 2024 under head coach Mark Sorrow when they improved to an 8-3 season.

The team’s potential for success in 2025 will focus on the play of quarterback Dallas Dotson and the play of returning RB Brandon Nance who rushed for over 1,100 yards as a junior last season.


Dixie will begin the season with an away game at RSM on August, 22.

 

WHITMIRE:

Head coach Andrew Campbell saw his Wolverines struggle to an 3-8 record a year ago but help may be on the way for improvement.


A core group of experienced seniors return. They include center Jaden Clark, RT Dalton Williams, TE Crue Keller, and DB Brian Steele. Top juniors include: RG Gabe Martin, DL Zakaedon Ruff, QB Kaden Malpass, FB De’Angelo Ruff, and TE Landon Wolf.

Top newcomers include LT Freddie Higgins and LG Jordan Ammons.


Whitmire began the 2025 season by hosting Branchville from the low country.

 

WARE SHOALS:          

Christopher Dodson begins his fourth season as the head coach at Ware Shoals and his team improved to 4-5 in the 2024 season.

The team should have more over-all depth in the 2025 season improving their participation numbers from 23 to around 34 players this season, including 14 linemen.


Senior QB Jayden Johnson returns and he has a chance to become the school’s all-time top passer with a strong finish to his career. His top three receiving targets return in WR Tyrell Cunningham, WR Ry’Keem Robinson, and WR Brayden McDonald. The defense will be led by the return of LB Elijah Brown.


Ware Shoals will begin the 2025 season hosting Blacksburg from Cherokee County.


MCCORMICK:

Leroy Collier begins his third season as the head coach of the Chiefs and with the return of seven starters on offense, and six starters on defense, the team is seeking vast improvement on their 2-9 record of last season.

“We have a solid group of returning linemen which should help us establish a solid running game,” said Coach Collier. “We must be more consistent and intentional in our blocking assignments.”


The senior leaders back are RB Quantrell Hearst and QB Toquan Thompson. Hearst rushed for 986 yards and scored 11 TD’s last season.


The top junior on the team returns in RT Jayden Nelson-McGrier. The top soph is talented LB Zyan Chamberlain. The top newcomer up from the jayvee team is LB Markal Bost. Other returning OL starters include Zechariah Chiles, Ty Clark, Tahahji Kinard and center Mahel Allman.


On defense Michael Durant, Tarius Tate, and Jermaine Polly return in the DL. Chamberlain returns at LB. The returning DB’s are Treyvon Fuller and Hearst flips from offense to DB.


McCormick will begin the season at Strom Thurmond on August, 22.  


CALHOUN FALLS CHARTER:

After finishing with a 2-9 record in 2024 Calhoun Falls head coach Zak Theus is hoping senior leadership can help the team elevate the program in 2025.


The play of senior trio of OL Quay Turman (6-3,280), WR Derek Jackson (6-1,180), and LT Chase Schmidt is key to the team’s seeking improvement this year. Junior LG CJ Turman is also back also with top sophomores RB Braylon Patterson (6-0,180) along with QB Preston Thomas-Smalls.  The top player up from the jayvee is Kazhian Gray. Senior DL Cam Bryant (6-0,270) brings experience to the defensive front.


Calhoun Falls will begin the season against Greenwood Christian on August, 22.



Region 2-A Prediction Order Of Finish:

1.      Lewisville

2.      Lamar

3.      Lee Central

4.      McBee

5.      CA Johnson

6.      Great Falls

 

LEWISVILLE:

Lewisville went 12-2 and won a region title under first year head coach Trent Usher who stepped up to the head job after serving as the Lion’s defensive coordinator the year before.


The Lions only play three regular season home games in 2025 but once the play-offs start the bracket favors them plying at home if they can keep winning.


Coach Usher and his staff need to find replacements for graduated play makers like receiver De’Adrian Robinson and QB/DB Zach Rogers along with OL Ethan Shipman. 


The team will find help with the return of talented RB Mikel Hutchinson who missed most of last season with an injury. Jordan Strong stepped up and carried a lot of the running load last season and he and Hutchinson should make a strong 1-2 punch.

Matt Cousar is stepping up to play QB and his top target will be senior prospect Jacorreun Howze (5-10,170) who has good speed and great hands. Soph DL Zackary Gillcrese will be a force in the defensive line.


Look for Lewisville to win their region and make a deep run in the play-offs once again.

 

LAMAR: 

Coach Tyler Boyd is back home to his roots at Lamar High having compiling a 22-3 record at Williamsburg Academy). He takes over a team that went 9-4 in 2024.


Top Returners include, QB Zori Pierce, RT DeVaughn Locust, RB Nygel Eaddy, top junior RB DQ Green, DB Kamiil McCoy, LG Roy Vest, LT Messiah Simes, TE/LB Lamont Williams, RB/LB Jaquez Dargan, LB Kenile Johnson, and WR Jaylen Morris. Robert Cooper is a freshman who will share time with Alvin Jenkins in the DL.


Lamae begins the 2025 season on Aug. 22 at Darlington.

 

LEE CENTRAL:

Justin Danner will be starting year 14 as the head coach at Lee Central and the Stallions hope to build on their 7-5 record of last season.


The team’s hopes for continued success are built around the return of a core group of seniors led by RB Shadrach Williams, LG Savion Williams, LB Ezekial Black, WR Javon Jenkins and DB Xavier Reed. Top key returning juniors are LT Antonio Jenkins and RB Nycer Henry. The team is comprised of three talented sophomores in the return of QB Tyquaze Adams, DB Jalen Williams and RT Jacob Montgomery.


Lee Central will begin the 20205 seasons with a game against Timberland High. 

 

MCBEE:

Head Panthers coach Andy Karcher begins his third season and he is 11-11 to date. The Panthers are coming off a tough 2024 season with a 4-6 record. Top returners this season include, RB/DB DJ Harper, RB/LB Harlan McLaurin, OL/DL Brayden Pacheco, TE/DE Hayden Griggs, and WR/DB JJ Melton.    McBee begins the season on Aug. 22 against Cheraw.

 

  

CA JOHNSON:

CA Johnson finished 2-9 last season and new head coach Rodney Barr (48-62) was brought in to get the ship pointed in the right direction.


The team will be built around the senior experience of center Jerimiah Johnson and veteran DB King Smith-Bryant. Junior RB Jerimiah Knightner will provide depth in the back field along with junior OL Tymere Evans. Junior Terrell Golson is a hard-nosed RB Stacey Isaac will be a young sophomore QB who will need to mature early into the position.


CA Johnson will start the season against Columbia High. .

 

GREAT FALLS:

Coach: Syvelle Newton enters his 2nd year at Great Falls and the former Gamecock QB/Athlete experienced a 2-8 year in his rookie season. Some of the players’ Coach Newton will count on to find more wins include: DE/DT Jayden Howze, MLB/G Qamarion Hill (5-8, 210), along with WR Jaxson Brantley and WR Austin McManus. Nesir Stevens will play both ways at MLB/RB and Kyle Sparks will be a CB/WR.    

Great Falls start the season at North Central August 22.

 

 

Region 3-A Predicted Order Of Finish:

1.    HKT

2.    Blackville-Hilda

3.    Calhoun County

4.    Ridge-Spring Monetta

5.    Williston-Elko

6.    Wagener-Salley

 

HKT:

Jermaine Derricott’s HKT football team has compiled a 19-4 record over the past two seasons and you just have a feeling the program is ready to take that next big step as the 2025 season begins. 


Key returning senior players for HKT include RB/OLB Darian Stroman and OL/DT Pierre Fogle (6-4, 295). The junior class has a lot of depth led by OL/DT De’Nyrion Cave, RB Trenton Summers, DE Taizon Sprinkle. Summers (6-1,175) has college interest.

Soph Jaleel Way provides great depth at the TE/OLB positions.


HKT will begin the 2025 season on the road at Allendale-Fairfax.

 

BLACKVILLE HILDA:

After the Hawks went 9-3 in the 2024 season head coach Geremy Saitz is focused on winning a region title and making a deep run in the playoffs.


“We are a very athletic team with a much larger offensive line this season,” said Coach Saitz. “Our back field has several skill players that give us multiple weapons on offense. We do lack numbers and depth at several positions and that could give us some challenges.”

The team has a solid core group of talented seniors back. Senior LT Jayden Dash (6-1,280) is an all-state candidate and speedy WR Messiah McFadden ran a 11.08 100 meters this past track season. Ricky Richburg is back at WR and Tony Bryant is back to lead the linebacking group.


The team’s top juniors include RB Kaiden Aiken along with RB Kaiden Davis. Sophomores Kaleb Brooks (DB), QB Trevor Kinard, and WR Bralen Coleman (6-4, 170) will provide depth to the team.


The Hawks will start the 2025 season on Thursday August, 21st against county rival Barnwell.

 

CALHOUN COUNTY:

Calhoun Couty finished 3-8 last year and as head coach Wayne Farmer (160—143) enters his 28th year in coaching you just know he hopes for improvement with his team that includes son Wayne Farmer, Jr., a WR for the Saints. Seven players from CC attended the HSSR annual media day at USC in late July. Farmer had 300 yards in receptions in ’24.


The other players from CC at media day included: Senior OL/DT Jamani Canty (6-2,260), junior LT/DT Markest Davenport (6-3,330), senior WR/CB Shaun Rivers (5-10,160) with four picks last season, soph LB/RB Peyton Kinley (5-11,185) who had 70 tackles with 6 TFL in ’24, soph QB/FS Darren Ben (5-11,170) who passed for 1,000 yards and rushed for 300 in ’24, along with junior DE/WR Eddie Coleman (6-1,185).

 Also attending were soph RB/FS/KR Rashawn Aiken (5-10,171) along with senior WR/SS Ke’mari Martin (5-11,175).    

 

RIDGE SPRING MONETTA:

Head RSM coach Jay Brannon starts his third season with the team. In ’24 RSM posted a record of 6-6 and they are looking for an even better season in 2025. Some key returning players are Jaiden Holloway QB/RB/WR, Jabarius Brunson LB, and D’toris Lott LB.


RSM begins the season on August 22 against Dixie.

 

WILLISTON-ELKO:

Head coach Kenny Lipsey looks for improvement after the 2024 record of 4-7. They are confident in key returning players: RB Corey Newman, Darrell Newman, Kelsey Knowles, WR Demorey Davenport, CB Kameron Brown, and LB Kadin Wright. 


The Blue Devils open the season at Pelion on Thursday, August 21.

 

WAGENER-SALLEY:

Head coach Blaze Gillespie is in his 2nd year with Wagener-Salley. In ’24 his team was 2-7 and building towards improvement. Several key returners are seniors: QB Rayvon Chandler and WR Quintin Sims Jr., DE Rayfield Bell Jr., DL Isaiah Garvin, and DL Timmothy Bell.


They open the season at Denmark-Olar on August 22.

 

Region 4-A Predicted Order of Finish:

1.        Bamberg-Ehrhardt

2.        Denmark-Olar

3.        Ridgeland

4.        Hardeeville

5.        Allendale Fairfax

 

BAMBERG EHRHARDT:

The Raiders went 10-3 in 2024 losing out to Lake View in the third round of the play-offs. Head coach Corey Crosby (41-11) has seven starters back on offense and 8 starters back on defense. He put a double ** by seven returning players indicting they had all-state potential. There are certainly high expectations for this team in Raider country for the ’25 season.


Senior leadership will come from Top 100 RB/CB Marcus Cann (6-2,295), along with OLB Jalen McGraw (6-2,210) and OLB Darius Walker (5-11,205). Top juniors include WR Anthony Williams (5-11,175), QB Brian McMillian (6-2, 185), and WR Jason Youmans (6-1,180). Among sophomores, RG Aaden McCormick (6-1,255) and RT Saveon Bamberg (5-11,295) are key players. Top performers up from the jayvee include: MLB Rakeem Walker (6-2,195), LT Pierre Fuller (6-3,275) and DE Keegan Daff (6-0,245). Top transfers include: Jordan Bovain and Chris Washington.     


The Raiders will start the season against Edisto. (See feature story on B-E in this issue)

 

DENMARK OLAR:

William Raysor’s troops finished third in the region last year and 4-6 over-all, so this team is looking to move up the pecking order for sure in ’25. The team will count on senior leadership from DL Nick Sapp (6-0,300), RG Rahjaner Singleton (6-2,288) and DB Geontae Staley (6-0,163). RT Mari Moody (6-4,230) is considered the team’s top junior. The top soph’s include Ath. Nyheem Brimfield (6-4, 230) and RB Trevine Felder (5-5,150). The top player up from jayvee is DB Lamar Griggs.


Denmark-Olar brought 11 players to the annual HSSR media day in late July. Staley is a returning all-region player and Felder has a goal of 1,000 rushing yards this season. Brimfield looks like a D-1 prospect with 4.5 speed, a 265 bench and a squat of 505. He has been invited to games at Clemson and USC this fall. Sapp reports he has a 220 bench and a 525 squat.


Denmark will open up the 2025 season against Class A rival Wagener-Salley.  (See feature story on Denmark-Olar in this issue)

 

RIDGELAND:

Reginald Alexander is the new head football coach at Ridgeland High School. Last year the team finished 5-5 to finish in second place in the region behind Bamberg-Ehrhardt. Some of the players working hard to keep the success going in 2025 include: OL/DL Adam Rivers (6-3,335), OL/DL Ivan Brown (6-3,260), OL/DL, Jayeon Howard (6-2,240), along with DL/T Deonte West (6-3, 215). The QB is soph Tarshaun Smith and Devin Fields is listed as an athlete. A senior leader is DE/HB Denardo Henry (5-9,210).


Ridgeland began the season on August, 22 against Eau Claire.

 

HARDEEVILLE:

Arthur Gardner is in his first year as the head football coach at Hardeeville and the Hurricanes went 2-8 a year ago. They are led on both sides of the football by TE/DE Marvin Clarke (6-2, 205) and he is a pass rushing machine. Other players working hard to help the team improve include: QB Emillano Santiago (5-11,185), WR/CB Camari Brown (5-11, 150), and K/P Efain Tinoco.


Hardeeville began the 2025 season on August, 22 with a game against Bethune Bowman.   

 

ALLENDALE-FAIRFAX:

Travis Lewis takes over the Tigers program after the team went 0-9 in ‘24 and they only produced 18 points all season. That should certainly change in ’25 with RB Trequan Jenkins back along with FB Cranerius Nickens (6-1,230). Jenkins joins fellow seniors LB Luther Smoaks, and WR Tyquavion Tilley as leaders on the team. Nickens is the top junior on the team. WR Damien Creech is the top returning sophomore.


A-F will start the season against highly regarded HKT on August, 22.

 

Region 5-A Predicted Order of Finish:

1. Cross

2. Baptist Hill

3. Branchville

3. Baptist Hill

4. Bethune Bowman

6 Military Magnet

 

CROSS:

This writer could throw a rock from his house to Shaun Wright’s house in Moncks Corner, so the HSSR is in frequent direct communication with the head coach of the team that challenged Abbeville for the Class A state title a year ago. There is a feature story on the Trojans elsewhere in this issue so we will not get too carried away with space being limited in this issue.


We love TE prospect CADEN RAMSEY! We love the way he catches passes (44-749-13 TD’s) and we really love the way he intercepts passes as a FS (14 in ’24 to lead the state). Ramsey, (6-5,205) is committing to a major college on September, 8th and he is down to a final list of SC, ECU, Va. Tech, and Syracuse.


Cross has welcomed 14 starters back off a team that went 12-3 in ’24 wen they outscored teams 584-147.


Junior QB Tyler Harris returns along with RB Mah’Ky Green who rushed for 749 yards in ’24. Three OL return also: RG Michael Bennett (6-0,234), LG Dakari President (6-3, 250) and RT Jailyn Broughton. On defense, Ramsey is joined by key returners DE Kerji Polite (6-1,205) along with Bennett who flips to nose. Broughton flips to DE and senior OLB William Grant is back along with junior LB Khalil Levine (5-10, 205).

 

BAPTIST HILL:

Marion Brown (108-94) begins his 24th season as the coach of the Bobcats. Last year B-H finished 7-4 and third in Region 5-A.

Numerous key players return to the team. The top prospect on the team is junior RB/QB KI’Lyn Gordon (6-1, 185) listed as an athlete and he will play WR on offense and FS on defense. The top senior prospect on the team is WR Martrell Wright (6-4,180) who is getting serious interest from The Citadel & Elon among others. Kevin Smalls (6-2, 227) returns to lead the linebacking group and he also starts at RT on offense. Junior QB Braylin Franklin is also back. Senior RG Marquis Frasier (6-4,337) provides depth in the OL also. 


Baptist Hill will begin the 2025 season on August 22 at home against Cleardot Academy out of Columbia.

 

BRANCHVILLE:

The Jackets were 8-3 a year ago under veteran head coach Sandy Dukes. Although the team suffered heavy graduation losses a lot of young talent still abounds in the program. Two key seniors give great support in the OL in Miguel Chay (5-9,230) and Dargan Cooper. Junior Luke Shaw is a candidate to take over at quarterback while senior Johnathan Delk returns in the defensive secondary and he also plays some TE. Depth could also come from junior DT/G Khasean Saldano (6-0,310) and junior FB/OLB Caleb Smith (5-11, 165).


Branchville will begin the 2025 season at Whitmire.

 

BAPTIST HILL:

Marion Brown (108-94) begins his 24th season as the coach of the Bobcats. Last year B-H finished 7-4 and third in Region 5-A.

Numerous key players return to the team. The top prospect on the team is junior RB/QB KI’Lyn Gordon (6-1, 185) listed as an athlete and he will play WR on offense and FS on defense. The top senior prospect on the team is WR Martrell Wright (6-4,180) who is getting serious interest from The Citadel & Elon among others. Kevin Smalls (6-2, 227) returns to lead the linebacking group and he also starts at RT on offense. Junior QB Braylin Franklin is also back. Senior RG Marquis Frasier (6-4,337) provides depth in the OL also.  


Baptist Hill will begin the 2025 season on August 22 at home against Cleardot Academy out of Columbia.

 

SCOTT’S BRANCH:

Former star Manning high player Patrick Fleming begins his second season at Scott’s Branch after his team went 4-7 in ’24 and finished 4th in the region a year ago. Eight players from Scott’s Branch attended the HSSR’s annual media day at USC in late July. A core group of senior leaders return led by QB Javien Conyers (6-1, 185), WR Christian Green who had 9 TD catches with four picks as a DB last season, along with RT Tyquan Williams (5-11,270) and LB Nazaiah Richardson (5-7,175) also returns.


,Among the top juniors are WR Nyren Bowman (6-1,190) who earned all-state honors in ’24 with 100 tackles as an OLB and he had 417 reception yards and 11 TD’s as a WR. Other juniors include WR Quinton Jackson, an all-region performer who had 375 yards in receptions last year along with TE Danny Ragin (6-2,245). Top soph back include DB Fra’Jon Bennett (6-2, 165) and LG Sa’nye Hilton (5-10,250).

“Coming into the season our biggest goal is to improve our football I-Q,” said Coach Fleming.     

 

 Scott’s Branch will start the 2025 season at East Clarendon.

 

BETHUNE BOWMAN:

Head coach Rolando Shuler is working hard to improve Bethune Bowman’s 2-9 record in ’24. The defense will be led by senior DB Kevin Zeigler. WR Maurice Johnson (6-0,185) is the top junior on the team. Soph QB Jordan Bell (6-2,285) returns to help direct the offense. The OL will be a strength of the team with the return of senior LT Justin Holmes (6-4,260) and senior LG Hayden Berry (6-2,300).


Bethune-Bowman will begin the 2025 season at Hardeeville..

 

MILITARY MAGNET: 

Derrell Pringle’s Military Magnet team are focused on improving their 2-7 record of the ’24 season.

Team leaders are led by OL Maurice Ray and Preston Gallman. Jamar Alston returns at linebacker and Jayden Hunter will factor at defensive end and tight end. Jaden Evans may end up at quarterback and he also plays linebacker.

 

Region 6-A Predicted Order Of Finish:

1.        Latta

2.        Lake View

3.        Carvers Bay

4.        Johnsonville

5.        Hannah Pamplico

6.        Green Sea Floyds

   

LATTA:

Latta finished in third place in Region 6-A last season with a 4-2 record but their over-all 5-6 record was not very pleasing to head coach Brandon Iseman (54-50) and the Vikings appeared a step quicker, and a lot stronger in their recent play in the Dillon County Jamboree of Champions.


The Vikings lost to Baptist Hill (16-0) in the first round of the play-offs in ’24 and you sense this team has been hard at work seeking redemption this season.


 The top two returning seniors for the Vikings are RB/LB Xy Bethea (6-1,205) and RB Fischer Richardson (5-11,160). Bethea had around 80 tackles and 11 TFL in ’24. Richardson had 55 carries for around 300 rushing yards in ’24. Last year’s starting QB Jayden Alford (6-1, 160) will start the season as a WR/DB but he could still see action under center when needed. Freshman Luke Huggins is the newcomer QB. 

Latta has three big OL up-front in junior LT Logan Byrd (6-2, 240), junior RT Javonte Kollock (6-0,250) and senior Zack Page (6-2,310). Page will flip to the DL. LB Gavin Austin is back after recording 60 tackles and 7 TFL in ’24.

Latta will start the season against East Columbus, NC.  

 

CARVERS BAY

The Bears went 4-7 a year ago and finished 4th in Region 6-A. Veteran head coach Matthew Richard (30-31) will be a Shrine Bowl assistant this season also. At the HSSR media day in late July Coach Richards brought 15 players. This team seems focused on improvement this season.


Senior leadership from SC commitment OL Zyon Guiles (6-5,290) who will also play in the DL. Guiles has a 345 bench and a 575 squat and you can read more about him in our Ol feature elsewhere in this issue.

 

HANNAH PAMPLICO:

Trey Woodberry (46-47) begins his 10th season as a head football coach. Last year the Raiders went 9-3 and placed second in the region. The team graduated talented RB Jamarcus Williams and talented QB Wade Poston. This could be a rebuilding season when you lose two good ones like Williams and Poston. RB Chris Eldridge played a lot last year when Williams got hurt and her is the go-to RB this season. Former WR De’Auje Bacchus je steps up to play QB. FS Clovell Woodberry will be a leader at FS. Khi Brown and Jonah Poston will also have key roles on the team.


The Raiders will start the season against Heathwood Hall from Columbia on August, 22.  

 

LAKE VIEW:

Daryl King (150-63) will field one of his youngest teams he has had at Lake View as he begins his 19th year as the head coach of the Wild Gators. Last year LV was 11-2 and they won the region with a perfect 6-0 record. The QB position will feature Chase Price, and he is a very good pitching prospect in baseball. Other key returners include OL Farrison Seymore along with RB Kiwi Jackson. Athlete Landon King, LB Seth Deese, DB Jalen Clarke, and DL Tyree Fore will work hard to keep the Wild Gator winning tradition alive. (Please feature story on the team elsewhere in this issue).


Lake View began the season on August, 21 against Marion. 

 

JOHNSONVILLE:

After competing for two Class A state titles in recent years, the Johnsonville Flashes had a rare 5-7 losing season in ’24. Ken Cribb begins his 24th season as a head football coach with a 169—98 career record.

The senior leadership will come from WR Takhari Ross, LT Jason Brigham, and RB Jay McFadden this season. The junior group will be led by QB Larkin Powell and RB Zaghe Davis along with DB Jamere Ross. (See feature story on the Johnsonville team elsewhere in this issue)


Johnsonville will open up the 2025 season against Chesterfield.

 

GREEN SEA FLOYDS:

The Trojans come into the season having won just four games in the past three seasons and team depth will continue to be an issue for head coach Patrick Martin. Numerous players will go both ways. They include FB/SS Thomas Gunnells who is scheduled to be the work horse running back on the team. Sophomore Jack Shelley is the QB. Dylon White (6-3,308) is a two-way performer at OL/DL. Gabriel Peer is an upcoming sophomore who will play at OLB/WR. London McCellan is a junior WR/DB.


GSF will start the 2025 season against Loris. 

 

 

 

 

 

Saluda Football Uses Spring To Build Depth

By Dennis Brunson • July 3, 2026
By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor Saluda – The Saluda High School football team will have a good amount of experience returning for the 2026 season. The Tigers have six starters back on offense and eight on defense from a team that went 6-6 and reached the second round of the AA state playoffs. However, they didn’t get a lot of work in during spring practice because many of them were on the school’s baseball and track and field teams that made deep runs in the postseason. Saluda head coach Greg Woerner found a silver lining in that though. “We were only able to get eight days of spring practice in and made the most o it and got better learning the offense and defense and developing some depth with the younger guys,” said Woerner, who will be in his second season as head coach. “A lot of our returning starters were making playoff runs in baseball and track, so we got a good luck at our depth.” Saluda returns four players who were selected to the All-Region 2-AA team last year. They are rising junior placekicker Ericson Vasquez , senior running back Tristan Daniels, senior tight end Jahmeer Myers and junior defensive back Ceddion Springs . Vasquez was named the Region 2 Special Teams Player of the year. Woerner is hoping the Tigers can be productive in the month of July leading into the start of fall practice. “For the remainder of the summer we’re really just looking forward to continuing to get stronger but also focusing in more on football,” Woerner said. “We had a good June competing in 7-on-7s (competitions) and getting better at our passing game and pass defense. July will focus more on getting better at the whole game.” The Tigers completed their 7-on-7 competition in June. Their first scrimmage will be on August 6 at Woodland before coming home to scrimmage Gilbert on August 10. Saluda is scheduled to open its season on August 21 at home against Abbeville . The Tigers will be part of a new region in Region 4-AA. The region will include two old Region 2 foes in defending state champion Strom Thurmond and Pelion to go with American Leadership Academy , Orangeburg-Wilkinson and Silver Bluff . MILLER MARTIN SELECTED TO AA ALL-STATE SOFTBALL TEAM Sophomore pitcher Miller Martin , a key figure for Saluda’s AA state championship softball team, was selected to the AA All-State softball team announced by the South Carolina Association for Women’s Sports . Martin had a 15-3 win-loss record and struck out 248 batters in 139 2/3 innings while posting a 0.70 earned run average. At the plate, Martin had a .308 batting average with five home runs and 32 runs batted in. Martin was also named the Region 2 Co-Player of the Year. Martin was joined on the All-Region team by Amy Sorcia , Zoey Springs and Nyla Jordan . Tigers head coach Hannah Towery said the program’s first ever state title sets a precedent for the future. “Future players will walk on to that field knowing a championship can be achieved because this team proved it,” said Towery, who guided Saluda to a 29-3 record. “The banner will hang, the trophy will be displayed, and the record books will always show who did it first. “History remembers champions, but it especially remembers those who paved the way. This team just didn’t win a state championship – they built a legacy.”

Jefferson Davis football focusing on the basics over the summer

By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • July 3, 2026
Raiders return everyone along the line from 8-4 team that reached 8-man semifinals

OCA Football Sets Sights On Four-Peat

By David Shelton • July 2, 2026
Oceanside's rising senior QB, Aiden Manavian is nearing 10,000 career passing yards and threw 42 touchdown passes last season.

W W King Holds Spring Athletic Banquet

By Gerald Doolittle • July 1, 2026
By: Gerald Doolittle Contributing Writer, HSSR Batesburg-Leesville, S.C. -W.W. King Academy held its Spring/Winter Athletic Banquet in mid-May to honor their 2025-26 athletic efforts. All the Knight teams were very competitive in their SCISA Class A region where they competed against Wardlaw Academy, Newberry Academy, Cambridge Academy, Richard Winn Academy and Anderson Christian . The Varsity Baseball team won the SCISA Class A Title . The Varsity Softball team was very competitive in the playoffs. Coach Jessica Anderson presented the Varsity Girls Basketball Awards . Blythe Buzhardt won the All-Around Excellence Award. Kenzie Morse won the Defensive Player-of-the-Year Award. Coach Dennis Gibson presented the Varsity Boys Basketball Awards. Spencer McCormick received the Most Outstanding Player Award. Brady Goff received the Sharp-Shooter Award. Coach Allen Guy presented the Varsity Softball Awards. Blythe Buzhardt received the Most Outstanding Player Award. Abby Aull received the Leadership Award and Kenzie Morse received the Iron Athletic Award. Coach Zach Matthews presented five awards to his Varsity Baseball State Champion players. Elijah Hutto received the Offensive Player of the Year Award. Luke Harvey received the Defensive Player of The Year Award. Wyatt Burbank, Zed Watkins and Smith Kirby shared the Team Leadership Award. Athletic Director Kathy Gibson assisted in presenting the Senior Awards. Smith Kirby and Abby Aull received the Senior Student Athlete of the Year Award. Wyatt Burbank and Kenzie Morse received the Athlete of the Year Award. Spencer McCormick and Abby Aull received the Christian Leadership Award. Wyatt Burbank and Kenzie received the Varsity Year-Round Athletes Award.

Florence Christian football team lost a few players to more than just graduation

By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • July 1, 2026
Eagles do return Region Defensive Player of the Year in Hayden Schwab

Lodge Begins Fourth Season As Berkeley Coach

By David Shelton • June 30, 2026
By David Shelton Senior Writer Moncks Corner – After a pair of six-win seasons in his first two years , Berkeley head football coach Eric Lodge guided the Stags to a 10-3 record last fall. Lodge is hoping and expecting to see continued growth and development in 2026 and recently put his prospective team through spring drills. The purpose of the spring is to identify roles and hopefully find rising talent that can assist either as backups or starters this fall. “Our spring is about evaluating kids, all of them, to see where they fit in,” Lodge said, “Those practices are very important to the growth of the program. We get everyone involved amd work to get them up to speed. Once we get into the summer, we are working hard to get stronger in the weight room along with seven-on-seven stuff.” Lodge says most of the returning experience is on the offensive side and the Stags should be explosive. Henry Rivers , a senior, will be a fourth-year starter and rates as one of the best in the state. Hethres for more than 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, adding 803 rushing yards and 16 more scores. Returning at receiver are John Cleveland, Eli Mitchell and Johnathan Mitchell, who combined for more than 60 receptions last season. Anchoring the running game are returners Lawrence Washington, Bryson McGee and Jesse Brown . That trio will work behind a revamped offensive line but Lodge sees potential in the developing unit up front. “I like our depth at running back and receiver, and of course we have a veteran leader at quarterback,” said Lodge. There are significantly more holes to fill on defense. The Stags lost an all-state tackle and three starting linebackers that were three-year starters. There also are three holes to fill on the back endd. “We have identified some young men who we feel will step in and be solid players for us,” Lodge said. “Replacing the experience is tough but we have some guys who will learn and grow over time. We’re not new to having young guys on the field. The talent is there and there are opportunities for guys to get on the field.”

Pinewood Preparing To Move Up A Class

By Roger Lee • June 29, 2026
Expectations are high for Pinewood Prep quarterback Silas Brawner.

Cane Bay Football Looking To Get Back On Track

By David Shelton • June 29, 2026
By David Shelton Senior Writer Summerville – The last two football seasons have been sub-par for the Cane Bay Cobras but veteran head coach Russell Zehr believes the pieces are in place for a potential resurgence. The Cobras finished the last two seasons with three wins each but did win a region championship in 2024. Zehr and his staff have worked hard in the offseason to develop some up and coming talent. They did so through the weight room and spring practice. “We had a good spring overall,” Zehr said. “We were missing a handful of guys due to track but we had good numbers. We spent a lot of time getting everyone up to speed. It was an opportunity for us to see younger kids that are coming up and find out who can help us this season. We had about 80 kids during the sprng and about 75 of those have been consistent in their workouts over the summer.” The Cobras will have a new quarterback this fall. Zehr says senior Coran Houp e is moving from running back to run the option offense this season. Returning in the backfield are Mayson Samuel and Sam Rolston , with some talented backs coming from the lower levels. The offensive line returns two starters, Isaac Siefken and Eli Taylor . Junior JJ Rose is back as the leader along the defensive front, with ends Devin Cobbs and B rennen Shokes also returning. The linebackers will be new starters with only Jackson Williamson returning with experience. The secondary could be a strength with returners Tyrell Bess, Zion Bryant and Caeden Wilson . The kicking game is a solid strength with senior Aiden Thorne returning. Thorne is a deep threat on kickoffs and field goals. “He’s got a leg and can be a real weapon for us,” Zehr said. Cane Bay participated in weekly 7-on-7 passing league scrimmages during June and will play at The Citadel event in July.

Mckoy Continues To Build A Winner At James Island

By David Shelton • June 29, 2026
Head football coach at James Island, Jamar McKoy has worked to build his program into one of the more consistent programs in the state.

Red Fox Football Putting In The Work For 2026 Season

By David Shelton • June 29, 2026
By David Shelton Senior Writer Hartsville – As he embarks on his 22 nd season as the head football coach at Hartsville High, Jeff Calabrese is anxiously anticipating the upcoming 2026 season. Calabrese, with more than 200 career coaching wins, sys his team has put in good work in the offseason and appears focused on bettering last year’s 7-5 record. “We had a good spring practice, a good offseason all together really,” the coach said. “The numbers were maybe a little down but not far off. We spent a lot of time evaluating every position. If we needed to make a change we did. The focus in the spring and summer is making sure we have the right guys in the right spots. We basically are trying to get everyone on the same page.” Like all the schools in the state, the Red Foxes put in training four days a week from 8:30 to 11 am. Calabrese says this summer has been especially important as four new coaches have joined the program, including new defensive coordinator Neil Smith . “Really excited to have coach Smith. He brings a ton of energy and experience and he has really adapted well here,” Calabrese said. In terms of personnel, the Red Foxes have experience returning in several areas, starting with quarterback. Junior Ford Wallace is back as the starter and continues to develop in his role as a leader on the offense.. Returning at running back is Trace Hillian with CJ Hickmon moving from receiver to the backfield. Anchoring the offensive line is two-time all-region performer Fred Turner . Other returning linemen, who could end up on either side of the ball, include Creighton McKnight, Jake Williams, Jaquan Samuel and Pat Rhode. Rod Cranford returns in the back seven as a third-year starter. Zi’Yon Mason is moving from the secondary to linebacker, as is Jamario Scipio-Bishop. Devaris James and Deon McCall are players to watch in the secondary. “At a school our size, sometimes you have to move some kids around to make it all fit,” Calabrese said. “That’s why the summer is so important, to get those kids a lot of reps, good group to work with. We just need to build some depth.”
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