The 2026‑27 South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) football season will kick off on August 28, with preseason practices set to begin in late July, heralding a fresh slate of competition across the Upstate.
Classification Realignments
Four traditional powerhouses — Gaffney, Riverside, T.L. Hanna and Greenville — are dropping from Class 5A to Class 4A, while Daniel and Blue Ridge have slid into Class 3A after years in Class 4A. Meanwhile, Mountain View Prep and Woodruff are climbing from Class 3A to Class 2A, reshaping the competitive map.
Star Running Backs Eye State Glory
Among the standout athletes, Tre Segarra of Byrnes has committed to LSU after a breakout junior campaign, while Woodruff’s Aiden Gibson, headed to Penn State, and Spartanburg’s Trenton Lynch, bound for Rutgers, are each poised to lead their squads toward the championship bracket.
A Drought That Still Lingers
The Upstate has not captured a state title since Westside’s triumph in 2023. The following year, Westside fell just short, losing a nail‑biting final to South Florence. In 2025, Belton‑Honea Path’s run ended abruptly when a post‑game brawl followed a defeat to Oceanside Collegiate, marking the end of coach Russell Blackston’s tenure.
Coach Greg Ramsey of Mountain View Prep acknowledges that the new classification landscape does not guarantee easier paths, but he remains confident that his team will stay competitive.