South Carolina High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams - September 23
Even after another round of games occurred over the previous weekend, the South Carolina On3 Massey Ratings list as of Sept. 23 has stayed relatively the same. The top ten teams haven’t changed positions, with eight remaining undefeated as the 2024 South Carolina high school football season continues.
Conversely, only one team from those ranked from 11 to 25 have an unblemished record (River Bluff at 5-0). Here’s where South Carolina’s best football teams are ranked before hundreds of games take place from Sept. 26-28.
The On3 Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory. According to the model, two teams from South Carolina rank inside the nationwide top 100.
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1. Northwestern
Previous: No. 1
The Trojans’ offense is the highest-ranked in the state, scoring 67 points against Nation Ford in their last match. The nation’s 34th-best team established a 57-13 halftime lead versus the Falcons and never looked back. Meanwhile, their defense ranks second in South Carolina after allowing only 13 points to Nation Ford. The total points they’ve surrendered in their last four wins (61) are fewer than what they’ve scored in their previous match. Northwestern will aim for 6-0 against Catawba Ridge on Sept. 27.
2. Dutch Fork
Previous: No. 2
It’s easy to see why the Silver Foxes have the top-ranked defense in South Carolina high school football. They’ve had three consecutive shutout victories, including their 51-0 pounding of Oceanside Collegiate Academy. Maurice Anderson had three rushing touchdowns in that game, while Ethan Offing had a passing and a rushing touchdown. Meanwhile, the Dutch Fork defense had 48 tackles, four passes defended, and three sacks in the blanking of the Landsharks. The Silver Foxes will have a bye this week and return to action against Chapin on Oct. 4.
3. Irmo
Previous: No. 3
The Yellowjackets have allowed only 19 points in their last two games, including the 12 they’ve surrendered to Myrtle Beach. In contrast, Irmo scored 38, led by Aaron Brand Jr.’s passing and rushing touchdowns. Leek Miller and Amire White each had a rushing touchdown. Irmo can improve to 6-0 as long as they can beat Lexington on Oct. 4.
4. Gaffney
Previous: No. 4
The Indians surpassed the challenge offered by Boiling Springs after scoring a touchdown in overtime. Jayvon Gilmore finished with 195 passing yards and a touchdown, while Chas Smith had 106 rushing yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Gaffney’s defense stood tall with 11 tackles for negative yardage and four sacks. Next for the Indians is a high-profile showdown against seventh-ranked Spartanburg on Sept. 27.
5. Westside
Previous: No. 5
The Rams remain undefeated after surviving Prince Avenue Christian’s staunch challenge. Scoring 49 points in that game increased their average to 47.5 points per game, making them the third-best offense in South Carolina high school football. They’ve scored 50 or more in two games, including a season-high 56 versus T.L. Hanna. The Rams can improve to 5-0 by pulling off an upset victory on the road against Weddington, North Carolina’s top-ranked team, on the 27th.
6. Hillcrest
Previous: No. 6
The Rams demolished Mauldin in their latest game, 51-6, improving their record to 4-0. Kalab Sutton and Jackson Free had two touchdowns each, while Weston Willis had 119 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Hillcrest’s defense clamped on the Mavericks offense by tallying six tackles for losses, five sacks, and an interception. Hillcrest will face Greenwood on the 27th, with their unbeaten record on the line at home.
7. Spartanburg
Previous: No. 7
The Vikings have followed up their loss to Dutch Fork with two straight victories, in which they allowed 12 points. Eastside scored only six points against Spartanburg in their latest game, matching Broome’s total when they faced the Vikings. Spartanburg faces a formidable test as they travel to duel with fourth-ranked Gaffney on Friday.
8. Summerville
Previous: No. 8
It’s challenging to outscore the Green Wave. That’s a lesson the Chapin Eagles learned the hard way, as Summerville scored 53 against them. As South Carolina’s eighth-ranked offense, the Green Wave scored at least 41 points in their last three games. On deck for the Green Wave is a match-up with Goose Creek, another team quarterback Jaden Cummings must analyze to beat.
9. Sumter
Previous: No. 9
The Gamecocks maintain their undefeated record by allowing only seven points to Spring Valley. Sumter’s defense, led by edge rusher Anthony Addison, had 53 tackles (seven for losses), an interception, and a sack. On offense, Kameron Fortune was a one-person wrecking crew, tallying 270 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Sumter will close out their September schedule against Lugoff-Elgin on the 27th.
10. JL Mann
Previous: No. 10
The Patriots eased through a 55-6 win over Easley, improving their record to 3-1. J.L. Mann is on a winning streak thanks to McLeod Darnell’s four touchdown passes and LaDainian Martin’s three rushing scores against the Green Wave. J.L. Mann can improve to 4-1 with a win against Greenville at home on the 27th.
Teams 11-25 in the latest South Carolina High School Football Rankings
11. South Pointe
12. South Florence
13. White Knoll
14. DW Daniel
15. Dorman
16. T.L. Hanna
17. Boiling Springs
18. River Bluff
19. Greenwood
20. Belton-Honea Path
21. Byrnes
22. Clover
23. Chapin
24. Camden
25. Fort Dorchester