Ten things we learned in first half of Midlands high school football season
The South Carolina high school football season is halfway through with most teams playing five games, and some six if they haven’t had their bye yet.
Here are 10 things we learned so far and are looking forward to in the second half of the season. The regular season ends Oct. 31 with the playoffs starting the following week.
Are Dutch Fork and Hammond vulnerable?
Before the season began, it looked like Dutch Fork and Hammond would be a lock to continue their championship streaks.
Now, however, it looks like it will be harder than originally thought for Dutch Fork to win its fourth straight Class 5A title and Hammond to win its ninth straight SC Independent Schools Association crown.
Class 3A champion Oceanside Collegiate ended the Silver Foxes’ 24-game winning streak with a 24-20 win on Sept. 20. Dutch Fork had a bye week last week to regroup before region play begins this week.
If we know anything, don’t count out a Tom Knotts’ coached team. In 2023, Dutch Fork started 2-5 before winning its final eight games and winning the state title.
Hammond’s 28-game winning streak ended last week at Northside, 23-10. It was the Skyhawks’ first loss to a SCISA team since losing to First Baptist, 7-6, on Oct. 9, 2020.
Most of Hammond’s issues are on the offense. Their defense is stout but Skyhawks are averaging just 21 points a game, and most of that came in the 56-0 win over Hilton Head Christian.
Hammond’s schedule gets a little easier this month so they can figure things out before the playoffs begin.
No dropoff at Irmo
There were some that thought Irmo would take a step back this season after making it to the 5A Division II championship game last year.
The Yellow Jackets lost Gatorade Player of Year AJ Brand and current USC receiver Donovan Murph but haven’t lost a beat. Drevon Dopson has stepped in at quarterback and Irmo still has plenty of playmakers on offense and strong offensive and defensive lines.
Irmo has a pair of strong road wins at Byrnes and Oceanside and are ranked No. 1 for second straight week in SC High School Media Poll. A return trip to Orangeburg for the state championship could be in the cards for Irmo.
Newberry is a title contender
At 6-0, Newberry is off to its best start in almost a decade when it went 8-0 to begin the 2017 season. The Bulldogs haven’t played for a state title since 2015.
The Bulldogs might have the most exciting player in the area in QB Kenton Caldwell, who has 1,947 all-purpose yards and 27 touchdowns and would be a lock for area’s midseason Offensive Player of Year. Caldwell has a strong offensive line around him in South Carolina commit Jamel Howse, Touchstone Energy Bowl selection Jamere Crooks and running back Cash Brown.
Julian Senn and Kaden Goff lead the team in tackles and Jaden Goff is tops with four interceptions.
Gray’s quarterback dilemma
Gray Collegiate is coming off its biggest win of the season after knocking off unbeaten and No. 3 North Augusta, 41-31, last week.
The War Eagles played that game with freshman backup quarterback Xavier Wright, who threw for 376 yards and five touchdowns. Gray coach D’Angelo Bryant will have to decide to keep Wright when starter Tyler Waller (wrist) is healthy, which could be as early as this week.
With a performance like last week, the War Eagles might ride Wright’s hot hand as they look for their first region title at the Class 4A level.
Ridge View succeeding despite injuries
Ridge View’s season was dealt a big blow when junior quarterback Tre Howard dislocated his foot in the second game of the season against Northwestern and would be out.
The Blazers also have been without top receiver Khristian Jackson (collarbone) but are sitting at 3-2 with two losses in the final minute against Dutch Fork and Northwestern, two of the top teams in 5A.
Ashton Chapman has stepped in at quarterback and has played well in Howard’s absence. Gaffney QB transfer Jayvon Gilmore has enrolled at school but hasn’t been cleared to play.
Carter Coleman and Jourdin Mack are two playmakers at receiver. Jackson also will be back at some point this season. The Blazers’ defense is strong and they will be a contender in the region race with a big matchup against Sumter on Oct. 24.
Fox has Swansea rolling
Swansea football has definitely turned the corner under Willie Fox.
The Tigers won seven games in Fox’s first year in 2024, are off to a 6-0 start this season and ranked No. 9 in Class 3A. Swansea is on pace to eclipse last year’s total and win the most games since 2012 when it went 10-2. Before Fox took over, the Tigers had lost 16 straight games.
The secret to Fox’s success has been a punishing running game and big plays in the passing game. Swansea’s defense has allowed 12 or fewer points in five of the six games. Big games with Silver Bluff and Newberry on tap in the final four games.
First-half surprises
Speaking of turning things around, Demarcus Simons has Eau Claire on the verge of the most wins in the program since the early 1990s.
The Shamrocks are 4-2 after winning just two games combined from 2019-2024. Eau Claire hasn’t won five games in a season since 1992. Things will get a little tougher with region play beginning and playing the likes of Fairfield Central and Chester.
Eau Claire QB Jacory Sumpter has 1,244 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns and leads the team with three interceptions.
North Central is off to a 5-1 start after winning just three games last season. The second half will get tougher for the Knights with games against ranked teams Cheraw and Central. But seven or eight wins aren’t out of the question, something that hasn’t happened since 2018.
Heathwood Hall is off to a 4-2 start with close losses to Hammond and Florence Christian. Highlanders have a shot at least seven wins, which hasn’t happened since 2019.
First-year successes
Westwood’s Stephen Burris and Pelion’s Cory Helms were two of 13 new coaches in the area this year and things are trending up for their programs.
Westwood is 4-2 with losses to ranked teams AC Flora and Ridge View. The Redhawks have a chance to surpass last year’s win total of six and the program hasn’t won seven games since 2019.
At 3-2, Pelion has surpassed last year’s win total and has a good chance of winning at least five games, something that hasn’t since 2014.
First-half struggles
It’s been a tough start to season for Richland Northeast and Chapin squads.
RNE, which is trying to replace Mr. Football Will Wilson and won eight games last year, is off to a 0-6 start after a tough 21-14 loss to Lancaster in overtime last week. The Cavs’ best shot at wins will be this week against Dreher and later against York.
Chapin (0-5) also is winless with the closest game coming against Spring Valley, 7-6. Three of the Eagles’ first five games were against ranked teams. The second half doesn’t get easier with games against Dutch Fork and Irmo ahead. The Eagles best chances will be against River Bluff or Lexington.
Games to watch
Five marquee games to watch in the second half of the season:
South Pointe at Camden (Oct. 3): Any chance Camden has at a region title, it must beat No. 1 South Pointe. A Bulldogs’ loss and the Stallions are in the driver’s seat with Camden battling for second with AC Flora.
Ridge View at Sumter (Oct. 24): Region 5-5A title should be on line when two teams meet at Memorial Stadium.
Dutch Fork at Irmo (Oct. 31): Game might decide the Region 4-5A championship for the second straight year if both teams get through region schedule unscathed.
Swansea at Newberry (Oct. 31): Region 4-3A title could be up for grabs when two top teams in 3A meet in regular-season finale.
Mid-season Power Rankings
A look at The State Newspaper’s mid-season top-10 power rankings:
1. Irmo (5-0): Yellow Jackets have won 24 of the last 25 regular-season games.
2. Dutch Fork (3-1): Loss to Oceanside might be the wakeup call Silver Foxes needed for the second half.
3. Ridge View (3-2): Balanced offensive attack and strong defense could help Blazers to region title.
4. Gray Collegiate (3-2): Freshman QB and strong running game have War Eagles poised for deep playoff run.
5. Newberry (6-0): Bulldogs’ high-powered offense is averaging 45.5 points per game.
6. AC Flora (5-1): Loss to South Pointe hurt but Falcons should be team to watch in 4A playoffs.
7. Camden (5-1): Bulldogs off to 2-0 start in region play with a big matchup against South Pointe ahead.
8. White Knoll (4-1): Timberwolves have won four straight since opening loss to Camden. Big tests against Irmo and Dutch Fork on horizon.
9. Hammond (5-1): If Skyhawks get offense going along with strong defense, Skyhawks can win another state title.
10. Fairfield Central (4-2): Griffins went through a tough non-region schedule but will be a favorite to win 3-2A title.
Others considered: Batesburg-Leesville, Saluda, North Central, Westwood
This story was originally published October 1, 2025 at 7:30 AM.
