High school football in South Carolina is nearing the end of the regular season.

With two weeks left on the schedule — and several games around the state moving games to Thursday this week to beat expected rain — it’s a good time to take a look at the region races around the Midlands.

Each region has a different amount of guaranteed playoff spots, ranging from at least four all the way to six for bigger regions. There are at-large spots in Class 5A and 4A because of an uneven amount of regions.

Here are the latest playoff scenarios for Midlands teams. Region records are in parentheses:

Class 5A

Region 3: Clover (4-0) and Rock Hill (4-0)l are tied for first and will play for region title. Nation Ford (2-2) can clinch third with a win over Fort Mill (1-3) next week. Blythewood (1-3) will get fourth with a win over Spring Valley or a FM loss. Spring Valley (0-4) is eliminated from playoff contention.

Region 4: White Knoll (4-0) has won the region. Lexington (2-1) and Dutch Fork (2-1). are tied for second and play next week. The winner is the No. 2 seed and loser No. 3. River Bluff (0-3) and Chapin (0-3) play next week with the fourth and final automatic spot on the line. The fifth-place team could earn one of the three at-large spots. The first- and fourth-place teams in the region are in the lower state bracket, with second and third place in the upper state.

Class 4A

Region 4: Irmo (4-0) has clinched the region championship. Ridge View (3-1) is second and can clinch the No. 2 seed with a win over AC Flora (2-2). ACF would be second with a win over RV and RNE loss to Westwood. RNE (2-2) can force a three-way tie for second with a win and RV loss. Lugoff-Elgin (1-3) needs to defeat Irmo to have shot an automatic spot but could be in contention for an at-large spot. Westwood (0-4) has been eliminated from playoff contention.

Region 5: Midland Valley (3-0) and North Augusta (3-0) are tied for first and play for the region title next week. South Aiken (1-2) can wrap up third place with a win over Aiken (0-3) in its final two games. Airport (1-3) has clinched the region’s fourth playoff spot. Aiken is eliminated from playoff contention.

Class 3A

Region 5: Gilbert (4-0) and Brookland-Cayce (4-0) are tied for first, with the region title decided next week when they meet at B-C. Dreher (2-2) can clinch the third playoff spot with a win over Lower Richland (1-3) next week. Orangeburg-Wilkinson (1-3) is fourth and plays Swansea (0-4), which has been eliminated from playoff contention. If O-W and Lower Richland both win, there will be a three-way tie for final two playoff spots.

Region 6: Crestwood (4-0) has won the region and Camden (3-1) is second. Lakewood (2-2) is third with a three-way tie for fourth and final spot between Darlington (1-3), Marlboro County (1-3) and Lake City (1-3). Final week games are Lakewood-Crestwood, Camden-Marlboro County and Lake City-Darlington.

Class 2A

Region 3: Strom Thurmond (4-0) has clinched the region championship. Saluda (3-1) is the second seed from the region. Silver Bluff (2-2) will be the third seed with a win over Pelion next week. Batesburg-Leesville (2-2) is the fourth seed with a win over Saluda or Pelion loss. Pelion (1-3) has clinched the fifth-place spot. The top five teams earn a playoff bid.

Region 4: Gray Collegiate (6-0) has clinched the region title by virtue of all other teams in region forfeiting their games against the War Eagles. Newberry (4-1) and Fairfield Central (4-1) are tied for second and play next week. Keenan (3-3) has wrapped up fourth. The fifth and six playoff spots will be between Mid-Carolina (1-4), Columbia (1-4) and Eau Claire (1-4). Top six teams make earn playoff spots from the region.

Region 5: Andrew Jackson (4-0) has clinched the region and Cheraw (3-1 ) is second. North Central (2-2) is third and has Central to close the season. Chesterfield (1-2) and Central (1-2) have to make up their game on Monday. Buford (0-4) is in sixth. Only top four teams make the playoffs.

Class A

Region 3: Lewisville (3-0) and McBee (3-0) are tied for first and the two will play next week with the region title up for grabs. Whitmire (1-2) is third and has CA Johnson (1-2) next week. The winner of the Whitemire-CAJ game will be the third seed from region and loser fourth. Great Falls (0-3) season is over because of lack of healthy players.

October 19, 2023 | State, The: Web Edition Articles (Columbia, SC)
Author/Byline: Lou Bezjak, The State | Section: prep_football