Way-Too-Early South Carolina High School Football Top 25 Rankings

The 2025 South Carolina high school football season is right around the corner. While it may not the first state you’d think of in terms of high school football, the state delivers compelling matchups and exciting plays week after week in the fall. From seasoned powerhouses to rising programs, here are the top 25 teams in South Carolina according to Massey.

The 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.

1. Dutch Fork Foxes

The Foxes went undefeated in 13 games to win the South Carolina high school football Class AAAAA Division 1 state championship. In addition to defeating Summerville for the state title, Dutch Fork had six shutout victories and allowed only one opponent to score more than 14 points.

Edge rusher Julian Walker will be a major factor in the Foxes’ title defense. The four-star Michigan commit and his team will return to action on Aug. 29 against Spartanburg, the team they defeated in the state semifinals.

2. Northwestern Trojans

The Trojans rampaged to a 14-0 record to win the Class AAAAA Division 2 state championship against Irmo. They coasted through the season, save for their season-opening win against Hough, North Carolina’s top-ranked team, and the Yellow Jackets.

Northwestern’s title defense will start with a rematch against William Amos Hough on August 15. Three-star linebacker Tamarion Watkins, Joshua Singleton and Kameron Vance will be crucial to the Trojans’ success this year.

3. Spartanburg Vikings

The Vikings had a disappointing end to the 2024 South Carolina high school football season. In addition to losing to Dutch Fork, they didn’t score a point during that semifinal matchup. Likewise, two of Spartanburg’s three losses came during their last four games.

While Spartanburg hopes for a better finish in 2025, they will face an uphill battle against Northwestern on Aug. 22 and Dutch Fork seven days later. For the Vikings to succeed, quarterback Trey Burke will need to have a big senior season.

4. Irmo Yellow Jackets

The Yellow Jackets suffered only two losses in 2024. However, those defeats came against top teams, Dutch Fork and Northwestern. They’ll need to overcome the state’s elite squads if they want to hoist the state championship trophy this fall

Irmo’s journey to the South Carolina high school football championship starts on Aug. 22 against Oceanside Collegiate Academy. The Yellow Jackets’ success hinges on the performances of wide receiver Maleek Miller, offensive tackle Nate Carson and four-star edge rusher Jaiden Bryant.

5. South Pointe Stallions

The Stallions recovered last season after a 2-2 start to the season. However, after a nine-game winning streak, South Pointe lost to Westside in the Class AAAA state semifinals, ending their season at 11-3.

South Pointe will commence the 2025 South Carolina high school football season against Hough on Aug. 22. The Stallions are among the state’s top teams because of quarterback Patrick Blee, interior offensive lineman Anthony Baxter, defensive lineman Seth Tillman and safety J’Zavien Currence.

6. Gaffney
7. Summerville
8. Westside
9. South Florence
10. T L Hanna

11. White Knoll
12. Byrnes
13. JL Mann
14. Sumter
15. Boiling Springs

16. Hillcrest
17. DW Daniel
18. Dorman
19. River Bluff
20. Hartsville

21. Belton-Honea Path
22. Greenwood
23. North Augusta
24. Wren
25. Clover