We ranked the top Midlands HS football teams’ chances for state championship run
The S.C. High School League and S.C. Independent School Association’s postseason kicks off Friday.
The playoffs will culminate with the SCISA championships Nov. 21-22 and SCHSL title games on Dec. 5-6.
The State developed a list of the area’s top-10 teams that have the best chance to play for a state championship. Here are those teams.
1. Irmo (9-1): The Yellow Jackets suffered a regular season-ending loss to Dutch Fork but still are the No. 1 overall seed in the 5A Division II Lower State. That bracket is a little easier than Dutch Fork’s route, which is why we have Irmo at the top spot.
The Yellow Jackets have all the pieces, including Division I prospects Jaiden Bryant, Nate Carson, Corey Miller, Maleek Miller and Major Taylor, to make their second straight state title appearance.
2. Dutch Fork (8-1): The Silver Foxes reclaimed the top spot in the Class 5A media poll this week and definitely are a favorite to win their third straight championship. Their bracket isn’t easy with a possible third-round game against Byrnes and a semifinal matchup against Dorman or Ridge View.
But the Silver Foxes have the home field advantage for the playoffs, have strong offensive and defensive lines and Tom Knotts as coach. All of that is a recipe for playing for another state title.
3. Heathwood Hall/Hammond: Barring a Ben Lippen upset of Heathwood, the two Columbia schools will meet in the semifinals with a spot in the SCISA 4A championship game.
If they meet, it will be a rematch of a game earlier this season that Hammond won, 9-7, on Sept. 12 as Jackson Ross hit a field goal with 11 seconds left. It was the Skyhawks’ 27th straight win over the Highlanders.
Hammond has won eight straight state championships, so it is used to making deep playoff runs. Heathwood (7-3) is having its best season since 2019 and is looking for its first championship appearance since 2009.
4. WW King (10-0): Staying in SCISA, WW King is a strong favorite to play for the 8-man championship. The Knights had their first unbeaten regular season since 2006 and are looking for their first state championship since 2013.
WW King also has two wins over Laurens Academy, the team it might face in the finals, this season.
5. Newberry (10-0): The Bulldogs just completed their first undefeated regular season since 2001 and are looking to make it to their first state championship since 2015.
Newberry has one of the area’s most dynamic players in quarterback Kenton Caldwell and have scored 35 points or more in all but one game this season.
The Bulldogs’ playoff road isn’t easy in Class 3A Lower State. Newberry has a possible matchup with unbeaten Loris in the third round and might face either defending state champion Oceanside Collegiate and Dillon in the semifinals.
6. AC Flora (9-1): The Falcons have one of the most explosive offenses in the area with quarterback Roper Wentzky and receivers Joshua Davis, Blake Betette, Kendal Byrd and Charlie Scott.
AC Flora has all the tools to make a championship run with the biggest obstacle possibly coming in the third-round against No. 1 South Pointe. The Stallions defeated AC Flora on Sept. 19 after the Falcons jumped out to an early lead.
7. Ridge View (7-3): The Blazers lost their starting quarterback Tre Howard in the season opener but put together a solid season, finishing second to Sumter in Region 5-5A.
The Blazers have a first-round bye and need to get their top two receivers, Khristian Jackson and Carter Coleman, healthy.
Ridge View’s defense is solid with North Carolina State commit and DB Jordyn Best. Offensively, Bijon Virgo took over quarterback duties midway during the season and RV has a strong running game led by Spencer Bobian.
The bad part is RV is in the same bracket as Dutch Fork with possible opponents Spartanburg and Dorman in earlier rounds.
8. Gray Collegiate (8-2): After a year absence, the War Eagles are back in the playoffs. The War Eagles won the region championship and are a No. 3 seed in 4A Lower State playoffs.
Freshman QB Xavier Wright has been one of the area’s biggest surprises. Wright has plenty of weapons around him with RB Trevon Williamson, WR Corey Gleaton and Royce Williamson. Defensively, Gray is solid with the likes of Michael Boulware and JP Sweatt.
It isn’t an easy bracket for Gray with possible second-round matchup with Hartsville and maybe a trip to Hilton Head for third round and semifinal matchup with South Florence.
9. Camden (7-3): The Bulldogs might be a year away from being a title contender but still can make some noise with six straight appearances to at least the quarterfinals.
Senior Tylin Drakeford is the team’s top playmaker and the Bulldogs have scored 30 points or more in six games this season.
If Camden makes a run, it will be on the road with the Bulldogs’ occupying the No. 7 seed in 4A Upper State. The Bulldogs open the playoffs at home but are likely on the road rest of the way, including in the second round at possible No. 2 Daniel.
10. (tie) White Knoll (7-3): The Timberwolves made it to the state championship two years ago and the semifinals last year.
White Knoll is in the 5A Division II Lower State bracket and has a first-round bye. But a third-round game against Irmo is likely on the horizon. The Yellow Jackets beat WK twice last season, including in the Lower state championship, and defeated the Timberwolves, 14-3, on Oct. 7.
10. (tie) Batesburg-Leesville (7-3): The Panthers made it to the third round of the 2A playoffs last season after an unbeaten regular season, and they have a chance for a deep run this year.
B-L has one of the state’s top tailbacks in Amadre Wooden and will lean to him on offense. The Panthers will likely have region champion Chester in the second round and a likely rematch with Strom Thurmond in the third round. ST defeated the Panthers, 28-26, on Oct. 3.
Others to watch out for: Fairfield Central, Saluda, Swansea
This story was originally published November 5, 2025 at 2:40 PM.
