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.

Bamberg-Ehrhardt's Chaz Breeland in action about to split the uprights again.

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.

South Carolina has another outstanding staff coaching our 2026 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas Sandlapper team.

AAA Player of the Week: Loris junior QB Ayden Scott (6-2, 190) passed 344 yards and 4 TDs last week. Photo courtesy of Marissa DaPonte.

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

James Island junior wide receiver Raphael Suiu with the reception against Gray Collegiate Academy.

James Island senior q uarterback Brady Dantzler completed 8-of-16 passes for 290 yards and four touchdowns in the Trojans 41-21 win over defending AAA state champions Oceanside Collegiate.

Head football coach at James Island, Jamar McKoy has worked to build his program into one of the more consistent programs in the state.