‘They came after us.’ Fight breaks out after SC football championship game
A fight during the postgame handshake marred the SC Class 3A football championship game on Friday.
Oceanside Collegiate defeated Belton-Honea Path, 28-7, at SC State’s Oliver Dawson Stadium. It was the Lansharks’ third straight championship and second in Class 3A.
As the teams were shaking hands, a brawl erupted. Oceanside Collegiate coach Brent LaPrad said his players were attacked by four BHP players. The fight lasted around 10 minutes and spanned both sides of the field. Coaches also exchanged words.
“They came after us,” LaPrad said. “Had my kids on the side. They were going that way and we were going this way. Four guys came after our kids. It is all on video. We got it. We let the cameras run.
“It is upsetting what happened. It is not right. I know their coaches didn’t want it to happen. Nobody wanted it to happen. It is unfortunate. Nobody wants to lose, but you’ve got to take your loss like a man. They just had some kids that acted out of character. It’s not good for everybody.”
Oceanside Collegiate receiver Terence Johnson, who had three touchdowns in the game, said one of the BHP players threw a hit. Video posted from a fan on social media also shows a BHP player throwing a punch.
“We were walking through the line and couple players had chatty mouths,” Johnson said. “No. 6 on BHP threw a hit and that’s when everyone when there.”
An spokesperson for the S.C. High School League said individual penalties and team sanctions could be handed out. SC Coaches Association executive director Scott Earley said Friday night on SportsTalk that if players involved were selected for Touchstone Energy or Shrine Bowl All-Star games, that they might be forced to miss the all-star games.
BHP coach Russell Blackston was disappointed in his team’s actions.
“It is real sad,” Blackston said. “This is where high school football is at. You see in the NFL and in college. You’ve just got to be able to do better.”
This story was originally published December 5, 2025 at 4:22 PM.
