Columbia, South Carolina, August 29, 2025
News Summary
The South Carolina high school football season begins with Week Zero, highlighting impressive performances from players across the state. A Player of the Week poll features 15 candidates for fans to vote. Standout athletes include Means, who excelled in a 34-0 win, and Caldwell, who shone with seven touchdowns. As teams gear up for future matchups, the excitement builds among fans and players alike.
Columbia, South Carolina – The 2025 South Carolina high school football season kicked off with Week Zero, showcasing impressive performances and the launching of a Player of the Week poll featuring 15 standout candidates. Voting for the poll began this week and closes on August 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The winner will be announced during the next week’s poll, celebrating the top talent in the state.
Among the notable performances, Means shined in a dominating 34-0 victory over Greenville, rushing for 151 yards and scoring three touchdowns. His touchdown runs came in at 3, 3, and a significant 60 yards, with most of his yardage—148 yards on only 10 carries—accumulated in the first half of the game.
Also making waves this week was Lindsey, who had a notable all-around performance in a close 20-13 win over Walhalla. He carried the ball 27 times for 133 yards and found the end zone once. On the defensive end, he contributed with an interception, along with recovering and forcing a fumble.
In addition, Gibson made a strong contribution, recording 20 carries for 84 yards, alongside four receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown, aiding in a 21-13 triumph against Clinton. A Rebels’ quarterback completed 16-of-23 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown in a 30-10 victory over T.L. Hanna, highlighting the skill level across the state.
Caldwell delivered a phenomenal first-half performance against Union County, accounting for seven touchdowns, including three rushing, while completing 8-of-10 passes for 202 yards. A dual-threat junior quarterback also made headlines by completing 19-of-28 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 115 yards and two touchdowns in a game against Nation Ford.
Players continued to shine with Kovac, who averaged 45 yards on five punts in a 23-7 victory over Gilbert, successfully downing two punts inside the 10-yard line and notching three kickoffs resulting in touchbacks. The Bobcats’ quarterback put up impressive numbers, going 15-of-19 for 263 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to running for 68 yards and a touchdown, leading his team to a lopsided 49-0 win over Whale Branch.
Meanwhile, Underwood made a significant impact by scoring four touchdowns and returning an interception for a touchdown in a 41-28 victory over Carolina Academy. James also performed well, rushing 15 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns, helping his team beat West Florence 37-6. On the other side, Grass completed 18-of-30 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns in a 43-0 victory over Chapman, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities with a rushing touchdown as well.
A standout safety for the Yellow Jackets had two interceptions and five tackles in a thrilling 35-28 win against Oceanside Collegiate Academy. Smith’s multi-faceted game led him to run five times for 73 yards, score three touchdowns, intercept a pass, and make two tackles during a commanding 56-6 win over Lake Marion. Williams capped off the week by scoring a game-winning 54-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and following it up with a 1-yard touchdown run, securing a 35-30 victory for his team.
In the S.C. Prep Football Media Poll released on August 26, the Dutch Fork team has retained the top spot at No. 1 (1-0), while Northwestern follows at No. 2 (1-0). Notably, Gaffney has dropped from No. 2 to No. 6 after suffering a 27-21 loss to Independence, NC. In contrast, Irmo has climbed to No. 5 following their victory over Oceanside Collegiate Academy. Upcoming matchups in Week 1 will see No. 1 Dutch Fork take on Spartanburg, heightening anticipation for football fans across the state.
FAQs
What is Week Zero in South Carolina high school football?
Week Zero marks the beginning of the high school football season in South Carolina, featuring the first set of games and performances for teams across the state.
How can I vote for the Player of the Week?
Voting for the Player of the Week candidates can be done until August 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT through the designated poll. The winner will be announced in the next week’s poll.
Which teams are currently ranked in the top positions of South Carolina high school football?
As of August 26, the top teams in the S.C. Prep Football Media Poll include Dutch Fork at No. 1 and Northwestern at No. 2, with Gaffney dropping to No. 6 after their recent loss.
What were some notable performances during Week Zero?
A range of impressive performances were noted, including Means who rushed for 151 yards and 3 touchdowns, Caldwell who accounted for seven touchdowns, and a notable performance by the Yellow Jackets’ safety with two interceptions.
Key Features of Week Zero Highlights
| Player | Team Performance | Notable Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Means | Greenville vs. (W) 34-0 | 151 yards, 3 touchdowns |
| Lindsey | Walhalla vs. (W) 20-13 | 133 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 INT |
| Gibson | Clinton vs. (W) 21-13 | 84 yards rushing, 99 yards receiving |
| Caldwell | Union County vs. (W) Notable | Responsible for 7 touchdowns |
| Kovac | Gilbert vs. (W) 23-7 | 45 yards average on 5 punts |
| Underwood | Carolina Academy vs. (W) 41-28 | 4 touchdowns, 1 INT return |
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Additional Resources
- The State
- Wikipedia: South Carolina high school football
- SI
- Google Search: South Carolina high school football 2025
- WYFF4
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football
- Live 5 News
- Google News: South Carolina high school football scores
- Greenville Online
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