News Summary
The latest South Carolina High School Football Media Poll has confirmed Dutch Fork and South Florence as the top teams in their classifications. Dutch Fork, the reigning champion, leads the top classification with a 1-0 record, while South Florence maintains a perfect 2-0 record in its classification. The rankings feature several other strong contenders, including Northwestern, Irmo, and Gaffney. Recent matchups highlighted the intensity of the season, with teams looking ahead to upcoming games that could further alter their standings.
Columbia, SC – The latest South Carolina High School Football Media Poll has solidified Dutch Fork and South Florence as the leading teams in their respective classifications as the 2023 season gains momentum. Dutch Fork, the defending champion, secured 17 first-place votes with a record of 1-0 after a dominant opening win against Spartanburg. South Florence also maintained a commanding lead in its classification with 17 first-place votes and a 2-0 record.
Current Rankings – Classifications Overview
In the top classification, Northwestern follows Dutch Fork closely in the rankings with one first-place vote and a 2-0 record. Irmo holds the third position also with a 2-0 record, while Gaffney sits at fourth with a 1-1 record. Greenwood, with a record of 1-0, rounds out the top five.
The sixth to tenth positions are claimed by: Summerville (1-1), Dorman (2-0), Byrnes (1-1), James Island (2-0), and Berkeley (2-0). Other teams that received votes include Ridge View, White Knoll, Sumter, Spartanburg, and Carolina Forest.
Second Classification Rankings
In the second classification, South Florence maintains its top position with 17 first-place votes and a 2-0 record, followed by South Pointe, which has one first-place vote and a 1-1 record. Other notable teams in this classification include North Augusta at third place (2-0), AC Flora (2-0) at fourth, and Camden at fifth (2-0). Bishop England at sixth (1-0), Westside at seventh (0-1), and Seneca at eighth (2-0) further highlight strong performances in this bracket.
Additional Classifications
In the third classification, Belton Honea Path leads with 12 first-place votes and a 2-0 record, followed by Woodruff (5 first-place votes, 2-0) and Dillon (1 first-place vote, 1-1). Other teams of note include Loris, Newberry, and Marlboro County among the top contenders.
Meanwhile, the fourth classification sees Clinton in first place with 12 first-place votes and a 1-1 record, followed by Batesburg-Leesville, Hampton County, and Barnwell, all boasting strong season records. Strom Thurmond and Central also continue to show competitive strength in their performance.
In the fifth classification, Cross has taken the lead with 11 first-place votes and a record of 2-0, while Abbeville comes in second with 6 votes and a 1-1 record.
Recent Matches and Future Opportunities
The previous week’s games were marked by significant shifts in rankings due to ten teams facing defeats, allowing for the emergence of eight new teams in the list. Dutch Fork showcased dominance in its opening play against Spartanburg, winning with a decisive score of 54-21, and next they will face Ridge View.
Meanwhile, Northwestern edged out Ridge View 35-28 and will go head-to-head with South Florence next. Irmo secured a thrilling 35-32 victory over Byrnes, while Gaffney triumphed over Summerville in a nail-biting 22-21 win, with upcoming matches poised to further affect the rankings.
As the teams prepare for their next matchups on September 5, fans can expect thrilling competitions that could change the landscape of the rankings once more.
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Additional Resources
- The State
- Wikipedia: South Carolina High School Football
- Sports Illustrated
- Google Search: South Carolina High School Football Rankings
- Greenville Online
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School
- On3
- Google News: South Carolina High School Football Scores
- WYFF4
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FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
