SC football playoffs reach semifinal round. Which games are the best matchups?
The South Carolina High School League football playoffs are winding down.
There are four teams left in each of the six divisions as they look to punch their tickets Friday for next week’s state championship games at South Carolina State.
The State has ranked each of the 12 semifinal matchups based on intrigue and how close of a game we think it will be with the most competitive at the top:
1. James Island at Summerville
The Class 5A Division I Lower State championship is an all-Lowcountry affair and has the potential of another classic like it was earlier in the season.
Summerville defeated James Island, 14-9, on Oct. 10. The two teams are the lowest seeds left in classes 4A or 5A, which uses MaxPreps RPI metric to determine seeding for the playoffs. James Island is a No. 6 seed and is in its first state semifinal game since 1979 while No. 5 Summerville is in its fourth straight semifinal.
Summerville leads the all-time series, 50-8-2, and has won 14 straight over James Island.
Both teams won close matchups to get to this point with James Island hitting a last-second field goal to defeat Stratford, 45-42, and Summerville rallying from two touchdowns down to defeat Carolina Forest, 29-28.
Summerville features running back Jayven Williams (1,534 yards) and one of the state’s top receivers in Jaiden Kelly-Murray (60 catches for 917 yards, 13 TDs). James Island has prolific passer Connor Dantzler (3,346 passing yards, 46 total TDs) and sophomore receiver Raphael Puiu (52 catches for 1,329 yards, 17 TDs)
Prediction: James Island
2. Lewisville at Lamar
The two teams met in the regular-season finale on Oct. 31 to decide the Region 2-A title. Lamar won that game, 20-13, but bigger stakes are on the line in the Class A Upper State championship.
Lewisville is in its second straight state semifinal and is looking to advance to its first championship game since 1998. The Lions already knocked off defending state champion Abbeville in the second round.
Lewisville’s offense features 1,000-yard rusher Antonio Price and versatile playmaker Jacorreun Howze (1,347 yards, 19 TDs). Jay’sean Culp leads the defense with 120 tackles and 13 sacks.
Lamar is looking for its first state title game appearance since 2018 under first-year coach Tyler Boyd, whose father won three straight state titles from 2002-04.
QB Zori Pierce has accounted for 29 touchdowns and running back Nygel Eaddy has rushed for 1,198 yards and 16 TDs.
Prediction: Lewisville
3. Berkeley at Irmo
The top two seeds in Class 5A Division II Lower State will meet in the semifinals.
Irmo is in its third straight state semifinal game and is looking for back-to-back state championship appearances. The Stags are in the semifinals for the first time since 2017. It is just the second meeting between the two teams with Berkeley winning in the 2018 playoffs.
Irmo has plenty of weapons on offense including QB Drevon Dopson (2,236 passing yards, 30 total TDs), running back Amire White (1,127 yards, 10 TDs) and brothers Maleek (1,300-plus all-purpose yards, 16 TDs) and Corey Miller (23 receptions for 486 yards, 6 TDs). Defensively, Division I prospects Jaiden Bryant and Major Taylor highlight the defense. Jamar Grissett picked off three passes last week against White Knoll.
Berkeley is led by QB Henry Rivers (1,896 total yards, 27 TDs) and a defense that is allowing just 14 points a game.
Prediction: Irmo
4. Dorman at Dutch Fork
Playing on the week of Thanksgiving is routine for Dutch Fork under coach Tom Knotts. The Silver Foxes are in their 10th straight state semifinal and 13th in the last 14 years under Knotts, who is 12-0 all-time in state semis at DF.
Dorman is the last team to beat DF in a postseason game that wasn’t in the state championship when it won, 49-19, in the 2015 quarterfinals. That was the Silver Foxes’ last home playoff loss as they have won 31 straight games at Fox Field.
Knotts said this week there are a lot of similarities between both teams with each liking to control the ball and run behind two tight-end sets. Dorman has a strong running attack with Nick Means and Carter Nash.
The Cavaliers’ defense features Clemson commit Kentavion Anderson.
DF quarterback Jaxon Knotts has thrown for 2,046 yards with 23 total TDs. The Silver Foxes have a balanced running attack led by Quentin Wilson and Kyle Henry and anchored by sophomore center Brody Lorenzo. Defensively, Dutch Fork is giving up 12 points and 199.9 yards per game and features a defensive line including Michigan commit Julian Walker and Jaden Wuerth and an experienced linebacking group and secondary.
Prediction: Dutch Fork
5. Central at Hampton County
Hampton County has had success since combining Hampton and Estill high schools in 2023. The Hurricanes have been to the semifinals in two of the three seasons.
Hampton averages 43.3 points a game and has a stout running back featuring Jaylen Singletary, who has rushed for 2,209 yards and 37 touchdowns. Singletary also is the team’s co-leader in interceptions with four to go along with 52 tackles. Malik Terry leads the ‘Canes with 102 tackles.
Central is in its first semifinal since 2011, the last of four straight state championship appearances. QB Dwayne Louallen has thrown for 1,564 yards and 17 touchdowns. Running back Ashten Wilson has rushed for 1,230 yards and 13 TDs.
The Eagles have dedicated this season to former player Sean Davis, who was killed in a shooting in July.
Prediction: Central
6. Fairfield Central at Strom Thurmond
Fairfield Central knocked off defending state champion Clinton last week to earn its second straight spot in the 2A Upper State championship game. The Griffins’ last state championship appearance came in 2013.
To get ready for the hostile environment, FC coach Demetrius Davis was playing Strom’s third-round hype video before it played Chester during practice this week. QB Kaden Diggs threw four touchdown passes last week against Clinton.
Strom Thurmond hasn’t been to a semifinal since 2012 and its last championship appearance came in 2005.
Deonte Phillips leads Strom with 22 rushing touchdowns and is 30 yards shy of 1,000 yards rushing on the season. Bryston Coleman leads the team with 88 tackles and tied for team lead with five sacks.
Prediction: Fairfield Central
7. Gray Collegiate at South Florence
The War Eagles are back in the state semifinals after being banned from the playoffs last season. It is the first time Gray is in the Class 4A semifinals with the program’s other three appearances coming in Class 2A.
Gray Collegiate advanced to the semifinals on Weston Mims’ field goal in the 31-28 win over Hilton Head Island. Now, the War Eagles face the defending state champions.
Freshman Xavier Wright has taken over QB duties and has almost 2,500 total yards and 24 touchdowns. Running back Trevon Williamson leads the team with 1,603 yards and 25 touchdowns. The junior has rushed for 571 yards and nine TDs in the playoffs. Corey Gleaton leads the team with 48 catches for 1,167 yards and 11 TDs. He is second on the team with six interceptions, two behind Royce Williamson who is second on the team in receiving yards with 696. Linebacker Michael Boulware leads the team with more than 200 tackles.
The Bruins are in their fourth straight semifinal and have won two of the last three state titles. QB Messiah Jackson has more than 2,000 all-purpose yards and 38 total touchdowns. Cameron James leads SF with 1,258 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns.
SF is allowing just 11.7 points a game and Amare Reaves had three defensive TDs for the Bruins last week against North Augusta.
Prediction: South Florence
8. Cross at Bamberg-Ehrhardt
B-E is one of three unbeatens left in the state and has turned in one of the most dominant seasons in the state this year. The Red Raiders have outscored opponents 694-75 in 13 games and are averaging 576.7 yards of offense per game.
QB Brian McMillan has thrown for 3,730 yards and 44 touchdowns and also rushed for 760 yards and 20 TDs. Jalen McGraw leads the team with 1,080 yards rushing and 11 scores. Charles Williams leads the team with 48 catches for 1,263 yards and 17 TDs.
Cross is in the semifinals for the third time in four seasons. Junior running back Ma’hky Green leads Cross with 1,495 yards and 18 TDs. The Trojans’ defense is giving up over six points per game.
Prediction: Bamberg-Ehrhardt
9. Loris at Oceanside Collegiate
Oceanside might have one of the best wins in the state this year, ending Dutch Fork’s 24-game winning streak. The Landsharks are going for their third straight championship, second in Class 3A. Junior QB Aiden Manavian has been OC’s starter for the previous two seasons and has thrown for 3,599 yards and 41 TDs. WR Anthony Williams (956 yards) is closing in on 1,000-yard season and Zakhi Muncey has rushed for 1,112 yards and 11 touchdowns. Both teams average more than 400 yards per game
Loris (13-0) tied a school record for most victories in a season and defeated unbeaten Newberry in the third round last week. QB Moon Gerald has more than 3,000 total yards and accounted for 50 touchdowns this season. Landon Conner leads the defense with 12 sacks.
Prediction: Oceanside Collegiate
10. Indian Land at Northwestern
Two region foes meet in the Class 5A Division II Upper State championship game. Northwestern handed Indian Land its lone loss of the season on Oct. 31.
Indian Land has been one of the surprises in the state this season, tying a school-record with 11 wins and making it to its first state semifinal. South Carolina commit Sequel Patterson has 1,387 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns. He threw a 90-yard go-ahead TD pass in last week’s win over TL Hanna. IL quarterback Matt Kucia has thrown for 2,717 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Warriors also have a 1,000-yard receiver in Hayden Morris and 1,000-yard running back in Jamol Horton (1,254 yards).
Northwestern is the defending state champion and has looked the part. The Trojans are in their 22nd state semifinal game and have scored 40 points or more in eight straight games.
Northwestern quarterback Xavier Means has thrown for 2,530 yards, rushed for 1,015 and accounted for 42 TDs. Nigel Smith has more than 1,000 yards rushing and WR Kameron Vane is closing in on 1,000 yards receiving. Texas A&M commit Tamarion Watkins has 68 tackles and two sacks.
Prediction: Northwestern
11. Belton-Honea Path at Powdersville
BHP (13-0) is another unbeaten team and is a win away from second-most wins in a season going into the 3A Upper State championship. The Bears have been dominant, averaging 49.5 points a game and giving up just nine points per contest.
BHP quarterback Noah Thomas has accounted for 2,717 yards and 43 touchdowns. RB MJ Earl and WR Tajeh Watson-Martin each should surpass the 1,000-yard plateau this week. Watson-Martin also has four interceptions.
Powdersville has scored 50 or more points in three of its last four games and is in its fourth straight state semifinal game. Patriots QB Keagan Reid has thrown for 2,643 yards and 29 touchdowns. Nasir Waldrop leads the team with 1,054 yards rushing and had five of his 15 touchdowns in last week’s win over Mountain View Prep.
Prediction: Belton-Honea Path
12. Westside at South Pointe
For the second straight year the two teams are meeting in the playoffs. Westside won, 35-14, last year in the third round but this year’s game in 4A Upper State championship sends the winner to the title game.
The Stallions have been atop the 4A poll for most of the season. South Pointe is giving up just 7.9 points a game and has allowed 14 points or less in all but one game this season. The Stallions’ defense has 64 sacks and 13 different players have at least one.
South Carolina commit and Mr. Football finalist J’Zavien Currence has passed for 2,555 yards, rushed for 1,396 yards and accounted for 49 touchdowns. He also has 75 tackles and three interceptions. KJ Burg leads SP with 144 tackles.
RB Keylan Powell (1,845 yards) is closing in on the 2,000-yard mark and has 24 touchdowns. QB Bear Woods has thrown for 2,318 yards and 22 TDs.
Prediction: South Pointe
Season Prediction Totals
Last Week’s Record: 7-4
Season Total: 308-63
This story was originally published November 26, 2025 at 7:50 AM.
