Columbia, South Carolina, September 26, 2025
News Summary
The sixth week of high school football features thrilling matchups across South Carolina’s Midlands region. Newberry faces Saluda in a historic rivalry, while North Augusta takes on Gray Collegiate. Hammond battles Northwood, Ridge View squares off against Westwood, and Pelion looks to maintain dominance over Eau Claire. Standout players and intense competition promise an action-packed week, especially with playoff positions on the line.
Columbia, South Carolina – The sixth week of the 2025 regular season for South Carolina public high school football showcases several key matchups and standout players across the Midlands region. This week’s games promise action-packed performances as teams vie for positions in the playoffs.
Top Matchup: Newberry vs. Saluda – Newberry will take on Saluda, a clash that carries historical significance, with Newberry leading the all-time series against Saluda, 24-15-2. Newberry has won three of the last four encounters, including a victory last year by a score of 24-15. Newberry has scored over 40 points in every game this season and holds a player to watch, QB Kenton Caldwell, who has thrown for 1,038 yards and rushed for 626 yards, resulting in 24 total touchdowns. Newberry’s TE Jamel Howse is another key player as the team moves to maintain its winning streak. Newberry WR Jamere Crooks is also making headlines as he leads the team with 29 catches for 403 yards and six touchdowns, having been selected for the Touchstone Energy Bowl.
On Saluda’s side, QB Brayden Williams has thrown for 520 yards and rushed for 127 yards, accumulating a total of nine touchdowns this year. However, the team will face a challenge against Newberry’s strong offense as they look to extend their recent success.
North Augusta vs. Gray Collegiate – North Augusta will face Gray Collegiate in another critical game, with North Augusta currently ranked No. 3 and Gray Collegiate at No. 9 in the Class 4A poll. North Augusta won the previous matchup 20-17. Key players for North Augusta include OL Malcolm Gaston and RB Mike Doe, while Gray Collegiate will be looking to its LB Michael Boulware and WR/DB Corey Gleaton. Notably, Gray Collegiate’s RB Trevon Williamson leads with 401 rushing yards and had a remarkable game last week with 242 rushing yards against Midland Valley.
Hammond vs. Northwood – In another battle, Hammond faces Northwood. Last year, Hammond won the matchup 16-0. Northwood’s only loss came from a tough out-of-state competition. The team will rely on QB Kevin Johnson, who has thrown for 1,174 yards and nine touchdowns. WR Aydan Hogan is a player to watch, leading the team in receiving yards. On the other hand, Hammond boasts a strong defense that allows only six points per game, aided by players like LB/K Jackson Ross and DL John Stokes.
Ridge View vs. Westwood – Ridge View holds an impressive record against Westwood, having won six straight encounters and leading the series 10-3. RB Spencer Bobian leads Ridge View’s ground game, while Westwood’s RBs Jovan Howard and Angelo Rios have combined for 811 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Ridge View has also been solid defensively, allowing no more than six points in their last three meetings against Westwood.
Pelion vs. Eau Claire – Pelion leads the series 8-1 and looks to continue its dominance after defeating Eau Claire last season 27-12. The teams are set to meet on Thursday due to anticipated inclement weather. Eau Claire has achieved four wins this season, the team’s highest since 2018, bolstered by QB Jahcory Sumpter, who has rushed for 633 yards and five touchdowns.
Game Schedule – Key matchups this week include:
- Thursday: Eau Claire at Pelion, 7 p.m.
- Batesburg-Leesville at Mid-Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
- Friday: AC Flora at York, Aiken at Gilbert, and more games across various schools.
Previous Week’s Record – Last week’s record was 25-7, bringing the season total to 127-32.
State Rankings Update – Current ranks for high school football teams indicate strong performances and thrilling competitions ahead as the season progresses.
FAQ Section
What is the significance of the Newberry vs. Saluda game?
Newberry leads the all-time series against Saluda, 24-15-2, and has won three of the last four encounters, including last year’s 24-15 victory.
Who are the key players to watch in the Newberry vs. Saluda game?
Key players include Newberry QB Kenton Caldwell and TE Jamel Howse, along with Saluda QB Brayden Williams and EB Tristan Daniels.
When is the Pelion vs. Eau Claire game scheduled?
The Pelion vs. Eau Claire game is moved to Thursday due to potential inclement weather.
What are the notable statistics for North Augusta and Gray Collegiate?
North Augusta is ranked No. 3 in Class 4A, and Gray Collegiate is ranked No. 9, with North Augusta having won the previous matchup 20-17.
Key Features Summary
| Matchup | Key Players | Stats | All-Time Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newberry vs. Saluda | Kenton Caldwell, Jamere Crooks | Newberry: 40+ points in 5 games; Saluda QB’s 9 touchdowns | Newberry leads 24-15-2 |
| North Augusta vs. Gray Collegiate | Malcolm Gaston, Trevon Williamson | North Augusta: No. 3 rank; Gray Collegiate: No. 9 rank | North Augusta won 20-17 last matchup |
| Hammond vs. Northwood | Kevin Johnson, Jackson Ross | Northwood’s QB: 1,174 yards, 9 touchdowns | Previously won by Hammond 16-0 |
| Ridge View vs. Westwood | Spencer Bobian, Jovan Howard | Ridge View: 6 points allowed in last 3 games | Ridge View leads 10-3 |
| Pelion vs. Eau Claire | Jahcory Sumpter | Eau Claire: 4 wins this season | Pelion leads 8-1 |
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Additional Resources
- The State
- Wikipedia: South Carolina high school football
- Sports Illustrated
- Google Search: South Carolina high school football
- On3
- Google Scholar: South Carolina high school football
- ABC News 4
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High school football
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