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.

The sister duo of Grace and Abigail Hough again leads the Summerville Girls Tennis team.

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

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

Senior Eli Pressley is one of the anchors for the Green Wave defense.

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

Charles (Chaz) Breland of Class A Bamberg-Ehrhardt is the only kicker/punter on the publication’s 2027 Top 100 Football Prospects list.

Summerville's senior RB Jayven Williams.

The Green Wave opened its 2026 season Aug. 21 by handing Sumter a 28-7 loss.