Ranking Midlands’ Top 10 high school football teams to start 2025. Who’s No. 1?
Practice for the 2025 high school football season is under way in South Carolina.
Here is a look at The State’s preseason power rankings of Columbia-area schools for the upcoming season across all leagues and classifications:
1. Dutch Fork
Last year’s record: 13-0
Why they are ranked: The three-time defending state champions are the premier program in the state and have all the pieces to play for a fourth title in a row. There is a change at quarterback with Jaxon Knotts taking over for Clemson baseball commit Ethan Offing, who decided to concentrate on baseball for his senior season. The Silver Foxes got a pair of new weapons on offense in receiver Stone Furrey and running back Colione Martin, who both transferred from Chapin. The Silver Foxes are solid on the offensive line, led by sophomore center Brody Lorenzo. The defense features Michigan commit Julian Walker, Georgia transfer Jaden Wuerth and linebacker Raleigh Salters.
2. Irmo
Last year’s record: 12-2
Why they are ranked: The Yellow Jackets came up just short of their first state championship in 45 years by losing to Northwestern on a last-second field goal. S.C. Gatorade Player of Year and Virginia Tech signee AJ Brand and South Carolina signee Donovan Murph are gone from the high-powered offense. Several playmakers return, including RB Amire Whiteand WR Maleek Miller, along with a strong offensive line led by Division I prospect Nate Carson and Bryson Moore. Sack leader Jaiden Bryant and Yale commitment Major Taylor will anchor the Irmo defense.
3. Ridge View
Last year’s record: 8-5
Why they are ranked: The Blazers made it to the third round of the Class 5A Division I Lower State playoffs and return an experienced group with more than 30 seniors on the roster. Junior Tre Howard is back for his second year as starting QB, and top running backs return in Spencer Bobian and Aidan Keeffe. The receiving group is talented with Division I prospect Khristian Jackson and Richmond commit Carter Coleman, who is back at Ridge View after playing last season at Blythewood. The defense features North Carolina State commitment Jordyn Best in the secondary along with Quency Grant and Jaiden Brown.
4. Hammond
Last year’s record: 13-0
Why they are ranked: The Skyhawks won their eighth-straight S.C. Independent Schools Association championship last season and are the favorites to win 4A again this year. Hammond’s defense is strong and features Division I prospects Jordan Boston, LB Jackson Ross, LB Bubba Alexander, DL John Stokes and A.C. Flora transfer Hugh Manning. Blythewood WR transfer Kanye Reed will bring playmaking ability to the offense, which is breaking in a new quarterback.
5. Gray Collegiate
Last year’s record: 0-10 (Had to forfeit 7 wins)
Why they are ranked: The War Eagles’ season got cut short after S.C. High School League sanctions barred them from the playoffs. Gray Collegiate has the tools to make a deep postseason run. They return senior quarterback Tyler Waller, receivers Kaleb Berry, Hiszari Grant and lineman Jack Armstrong on offense, which also should be bolstered by Gilbert transfer Trevon Williamson at running back. Williamson also will play some on defense. Defensively, leading tackler Michael Boulware is back along with linebacker JP Sweatt, Caleb Raysor. Royal and Royce Williamson, sons of former Gamecock WR Troy Williamson, also will make an impact on defense after having to play junior varsity last season following their transfer from Blythewood.
6. White Knoll
Last year’s record: 8-6
Why they are ranked: The Timberwolves made it to their second-straight lower state championship game last season before losing to Irmo. White Knoll must replace a lot of key pieces, including record-setting quarterback Landon Sharpe, if it wants to make it to a third-straight state semifinal. White Knoll returns leading rusher Tiyan Fanning and two-way standout and Richmond commit Caleb Geronomi, who had almost 1,000 yards receiving and three interceptions last season.
7. AC Flora
Last year’s record: 8-4
Why they are ranked: The Falcons return one of the most explosive offenses in the area. Quarterback Roper Wentzky threw for almost 2,700 yards and 28 touchdowns. Wentzy has three talented receivers in Kendall Byrd, Richland Northeast transfer Blake Betette and Joshua Davis. Byrd and Betette, a Dartmouth commitment, both had 1,000-yard seasons last year. The key will be improving a defense, which features Harvard commit Azel Banag. The Falcons gave up 40 or more points in each of their four losses.
8. Camden
Last year’s record: 9-4
Why they are ranked: The Bulldogs have won nine or more games in six straight seasons. Senior Tylin Drakeford will be one of the centerpieces on offense after having 1,380 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns. Running back Navi Boykin is back and Greysen Rimpf will be taking over full-time duties at quarterback. Defensively, leading pass rusher Dontrell Wilson and defense end Tyler Freeman are back.
9. Batesburg-Leesville
Last year’s record: 12-1
Why they are ranked: The Panthers had an unbeaten regular season and won double-digit games for the first time since 2016. Senior Amadre Wooden is back after rushing for 2,138 yards (third most in school history) 26 touchdowns in the Panthers’ run-heavy offense. KD Whitt is a big playmaker on both sides of the ball for B-L, leading the team with six interceptions and catching a team-high 10 touchdown passes.
10. Newberry
Last year’s record: 7-4
Why they are ranked: The Bulldogs won seven games last year, the most in Cedrick Jeter’s three seasons as head coach and return 14 starters. South Carolina tight end commit Jamel Howse has beefed up in the offense and will be a big target, along with Jamere Crooks, for returning starting quarterback Kenton Caldwell. Running back BJ Jones is back and had 15 touchdowns last season. Defensively, senior Julian Senn is the team’s top returning tackler.
Other teams to watch
Fairfield Central: The Griffins won 12 games for the first since 2015 and made it to the 2A semifinals. Fairfield must replace 2,000-yard rusher Tydarion Grier. Speedy Duke commit Jayden Boyd should have the ball in his hands plenty along with returning QB Kaden Diggs. FC returns three players who had more than 100 tackles last season in Dre Walker, Breone Whitaker and Douglas McCloud.
Gilbert: The Indians won eight games and made it to the third round of the playoffs in Ozzie Exume’s first season. Most of Gilbert’s top returners are on defense, led by leading tackler Wynn Meetze, Demarion Brown, RJ Kearse and Gavin Elliott. The biggest question will be on offense, which is starting a new quarterback in Kaden Kingery and running back in Jirarya Staley.
Lower Richland: The Diamond Hornets return plenty of talent, including all five offensive linemen, and leading tacklers Ophir Hill and Daniel Gee. Junior Gerald Gibson takes over at quarterback, and A.C. Flora transfer Solomon Kelson will boost the Diamond Hornets running game.
Swansea: Willie Fox turned things around in his first season with the Tigers, going from no wins to seven last year. DE/TE William Geddis is one of the team’s top returners, along with all-purpose back Dante Caldwell and offensive lineman Kevin Sightler. The Tigers will be breaking in a new quarterback with sophomore Kendall Wright taking over.
This story was originally published August 4, 2025 at 2:18 PM.
