South Carolina, August 29, 2025
News Summary
In the first week of the South Carolina high school football season, several teams experienced shifts in the Top 25 rankings. Gaffney fell to sixth after losing to Independence, while Irmo moved up to fifth following a victory over Oceanside. The dominant Dutch Fork remains at the top, preparing for a matchup against Spartanburg. Upcoming games promise to be crucial as teams strive for better rankings, reflecting the competitive spirit of local high school football.
Columbia
The first week of the 2025 South Carolina high school football season, known as Week 0, occurred with minimal changes to the Top 25 rankings. While long-standing teams mostly maintained their positions, over half a dozen teams secured new spots in the rankings, indicating a slight shake-up.
In a surprising turn, No. 2 Gaffney faced defeat in their season opener against Independence (NC), with a score of 27-21. As a result of this loss, Gaffney has dropped from second to sixth place in the rankings. Meanwhile, No. 8 Irmo capitalized on their opportunity and managed to defeat No. 7 Oceanside Collegiate, securing a close victory at 35-28. This win propelled Irmo up to the fifth position, while Oceanside dropped to eighth.
The current Top Ten teams are anchored by No. 1 Dutch Fork, which had no game last week and is preparing for a matchup against Spartanburg next week. Following are No. 3 Northwestern, who also did not play, but have upcoming games against Stratford and South Florence, and No. 4 Summerville, who dominated Spartanburg with a commanding win of 39-7. Summerville is set to face Ridge View next, while Gaffney and Greenwood, who were idle last week, will also have future games lined up.
No. 7 Sumter registered a unique victory over their opponent with a score of 1-0 and will look to continue their success against Byrnes next. No. 9 Ridge View’s recent win has placed them in a favorable position as they prepare to face Northwestern. In contrast, No. 10 Spartanburg was unable to secure a win, losing to Dutch Fork with a final score of 0-1 and will have another opportunity to improve in their next game.
Across other divisions, several teams including South Florence, South Pointe, Hartsville, North Augusta, Daniel, and AC Flora have also managed to secure winning records and rank within the Top 25. Additionally, Dorman, James Island, Hillcrest, Berkeley, Boiling Springs, Nation Ford, and TL Hanna received votes but ultimately did not enter the rankings.
Upcoming games to watch include Airport at Aiken, Union County at Fairfield Central, and Spartanburg visiting Dutch Fork, all of which will be crucial in shaping the season’s rankings as teams continue to compete vigorously.
Overview of Rankings and Performance
- No. 1 Dutch Fork: Idle, will face Spartanburg next.
- No. 2 Gaffney: Lost to Independence (NC), now No. 6.
- No. 3 Northwestern: Idle, playing Stratford and South Florence next.
- No. 4 Summerville: Defeated Spartanburg, will face Ridge View next.
- No. 5 Irmo: Defeated No. 7 Oceanside, now at No. 5.
- No. 6 Greenwood: Idle last week, will play next.
- No. 7 Sumter: Won 1-0, plays Byrnes next.
- No. 8 Oceanside Collegiate: Lost to No. 5 Irmo, now No. 8.
- No. 9 Ridge View: Won last week, playing Northwestern next.
- No. 10 Spartanburg: Lost to Dutch Fork 0-1, with a game coming up.
Background Context
High school football in South Carolina holds significant importance for local communities, serving not only as a competitive sport but also as a social event. The Top 25 rankings reflect teams’ performances throughout the season, helping to build anticipation among fans and stakeholders alike. The rankings are compiled based on factors such as win-loss records, strength of schedule, and overall team performance, making them a relevant indicator of potential playoff contention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Top 5 teams in South Carolina high school football right now?
The current Top 5 teams are:
- 1. Dutch Fork
- 2. Gaffney
- 3. Northwestern
- 4. Summerville
- 5. Irmo
Which teams have moved up in the rankings this week?
No. 5 Irmo moved up after defeating No. 7 Oceanside Collegiate, while several previously unranked teams gained positions in the Top 25.
When is the next game for No. 1 Dutch Fork?
No. 1 Dutch Fork is set to play against Spartanburg next week.
How did Gaffney perform this week?
Gaffney lost to Independence (NC), resulting in a ranking drop from No. 2 to No. 6.
Key Features Summary
| Team | Current Ranking | Last Game Result | Next Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dutch Fork | 1 | Idle | Spartanburg |
| Gaffney | 6 | Lost 27-21 to Independence (NC) | Next Game TBD |
| Northwestern | 3 | Idle | Stratford/South Florence |
| Summerville | 4 | Won 39-7 against Spartanburg | Ridge View |
| Irmo | 5 | Won 35-28 against Oceanside | Next Game TBD |
| Greenwood | 6 | Idle | Next Game TBD |
| Sumter | 7 | Won 1-0 | Byrnes |
| Oceanside Collegiate | 8 | Lost to Irmo | Next Game TBD |
| Ridge View | 9 | Won last week | Northwestern |
| Spartanburg | 10 | Lost to Dutch Fork | Next Game TBD |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Newberry College Football Team Prepares for Upcoming Season
South Carolina Gamecocks Ranked 13th in Preseason Poll
Newberry College Wolves Prepare for Upcoming Football Season
High School Football Preseason Rankings Revealed
Top Offensive Players Set to Shine in South Carolina Football
Newberry College Celebrates Academic Achievements and Mourns Loss
Newberry College Celebrates Academic Excellence Amid Tragedy
Newberry College Tennis Players Earn Academic Honors
University of South Carolina Retains Top MBA Ranking
Raleigh’s Beau Atkinson Transfers to Ohio State
Additional Resources
- The State
- Sports Illustrated
- WYFF4
- Live 5 News
- Greenville Online
- Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
- Google Search: South Carolina high school football
- Google Scholar: South Carolina high school football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football
- Google News: South Carolina high school football
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