The 2026 South Carolina high school football preseason poll has already sparked conversation among coaches, players and fans, with Dutch Fork emerging as the clear favorite in Class 5A. Twelve first‑place votes propelled the Falcons to the top spot, signaling that the team enters the new campaign with championship aspirations.
Preseason Anticipation
Other classes also feature compelling storylines. South Pointe leads Class 4A with nine first‑place votes, while Oceanside Collegiate dominates Class 3A with thirteen. In Class 2A, Strom Thurmond holds the lead, and Fairfield Central tops the Class 1A rankings.
The poll reflects the input of prominent sports journalists and coordinators, including veteran South Carolina writer Lou Bezjak, who has chronicled the state’s football scene since 2002. Their collective insight provides a snapshot of expectations heading into the season.
The first regular‑season rankings will be released on August 25, 2026, offering a more granular view of team performance as schedules unfold. Until then, the preseason poll serves as a benchmark for teams aiming to translate early optimism into on‑field success.
For Dutch Fork, the preseason No. 1 ranking is more than a headline; it is a call to action. The program’s tradition of contending for state titles fuels a determined effort to add another championship to its résumé, setting the tone for a season that many expect to be fiercely contested.