Friday nights in South Carolina just hit different. You know the feeling—the smell of concession stand popcorn, the crisp November air, and the absolute chaos that is the SCHSL and SCISA brackets. Honestly, if you weren’t parked in a lawn chair or shivering in the bleachers these past few months, you missed a wild ride.
The 2025 postseason wasn't just about big hits; it was a masterclass in drama. We saw dynasties hold firm and some "sure things" crumble before the third round even kicked off. People are still talking about the sc high school football playoffs scores from the state finals in Orangeburg, and for good reason. It was a season of heavyweights finally meeting in the middle of the ring.
The Night the Silver Foxes Staked Their Claim
Let’s talk about Dutch Fork. Again.
There's a lot of talk every year about whether Tom Knotts’ crew is finally going to take a step back. Spoiler alert: they didn't. In the 5A Division 1 state championship, the Silver Foxes faced off against a gritty Summerville squad. For a while there, it looked like a toss-up. It was tied 14-14 late in the third quarter after Summerville’s Jaiden Kelly-Murray scooped up a fumble and took it 42 yards to the house. The Green Wave fans were losing it.
Then, Dutch Fork did that thing they do.
They flipped a switch. Braydon Johnson broke the tie with a 27-yard touchdown run, and the floodgates just opened. By the time the clock hit zero, the scoreboard read Dutch Fork 40, Summerville 20. It’s their fourth straight title and tenth overall. Jaxon Knotts, the coach's son, was out there dealing, throwing two touchdowns and running for another. It was clinical.
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Northwestern and the 5A Division II Shootout
If the Division I game was a clinic, the Division II path was a heart-attack-inducing rollercoaster. Northwestern has been a juggernaut all year, but they had to earn every single inch.
Remember that third-round game against Gaffney? A 52-45 final score. That’s not a football score; that’s a mid-week basketball game result. It showed the sheer offensive firepower coming out of Rock Hill. Northwestern eventually met Irmo in the finals, and let’s be real, Irmo was no slouch. They’d been dismantling people all year, including that 28-14 win over White Knoll that had everyone convinced the Yellowjackets were the team of destiny.
Ultimately, Northwestern’s balance was too much. They capped off a legendary run with a trophy, proving that the "Football City USA" moniker isn't just a marketing slogan.
The 4A Power Shift: South Pointe is Back
For a second there, South Florence looked untouchable. They were the defending champs, and they played like it most of the way, especially when they dismantled Gray Collegiate 55-14 in the semifinals. But South Pointe had other plans.
The Stallions didn't just win; they dominated.
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In the 4A State Final on December 6, South Pointe beat South Florence 35-14. It wasn't particularly close toward the end. The Stallions’ defense was a brick wall, proving that while offense sells tickets, it really is the stops that win championships. This came after South Pointe blanked Westside 40-0 in the semifinals—a result that sent shockwaves through the Upstate.
Small School Grit: From Lamar to Oceanside
You can't talk about South Carolina football without the 1A and 2A battles. These are the games where the whole town shuts down.
In the 1A ranks, it was the "Battle of the Titans" between Lamar and Bamberg-Ehrhardt. These two programs have more history than a library. Lamar came out on top in a defensive struggle that reminded everyone why old-school football still matters. They’ve got a way of just grinding you down until you break.
Over in 3A, Oceanside Collegiate Academy (OCA) continued their reign. They’ve become the new standard-bearer in that classification. They took down Belton-Honea Path (BHP) 28-7 to secure their third consecutive state title. BHP had an incredible season—going 12-0 deep into the year—but OCA’s big-game experience was the X-factor.
Quick Hits: The Scores That Defined the Rounds
- 5A Div I Semi: Dutch Fork 30, Dorman 10 (Dorman hung tough for a half, but the Foxes are just deep).
- 5A Div I Semi: Summerville 45, James Island 16 (The Green Wave's offense was clicking on all cylinders).
- 4A Semi: South Florence 55, Gray Collegiate 14 (A statement game that unfortunately didn't carry over to the final).
- 3A Semi: Oceanside Collegiate 38, Loris 7 (Loris was a great story this year, but OCA is a different beast).
- 2A Semi: Strom Thurmond 15, Fairfield Central 13 (The kind of game that leaves you with no fingernails left).
The SCISA Side of the House
We can't forget the private schools. SCISA had its own brand of madness this year. Northwood Academy basically went on a scorched-earth tour, culminating in a 61-7 win over Heathwood Hall for the AAAA title. That’s a statement.
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Meanwhile, W.W. King Academy kept their perfect season alive in 8-man football, beating Laurens Academy 50-36. If you’ve never watched 8-man ball, you’re missing out on some of the highest-scoring, most chaotic football in the state. It’s basically a track meet with pads on.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Playoffs
People think the higher seed always has the edge because of home-field advantage. Kinda true, but look at the upsets. James Island went into Sumter and pulled out a 42-35 thriller in the second round. Lewisville bounced the defending champ Abbeville 29-28 in a game that basically stopped time in the 1A bracket.
Seeds are just numbers on a piece of paper once the whistle blows in November. The reality is that injuries and "peaking at the right time" matter way more than a regular-season record.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason
If you're a fan, coach, or player looking at these sc high school football playoffs scores and wondering what's next, here is how you should handle the coming months:
- Watch the Realignment: The SCHSL has already dropped the 2026-2028 realignment plans. Some of your favorite rivalries might be changing classes or regions. Study the new pods; they're going to change the playoff math significantly.
- Focus on the Trenches: Looking at the 2025 winners, the common denominator wasn't just "star QBs"—it was dominant line play. If your school wants to be in Orangeburg next year, the weight room starts now.
- Track the Transfer Portal (Yes, even in HS): It’s the elephant in the room. Key players from teams that exited early often look for programs with deeper playoff pedigrees. Keep an eye on the rosters as spring practice approaches.
- Review the Tape: If you’re a player, don’t just look at the score. Watch how Dutch Fork or South Pointe adjusts their defensive shells in the second half. That’s the "pro-level" stuff happening in our backyard.
The 2025 season is in the books, but the road to the 2026 championships has already started. Whether you're celebrating a ring or stewing over a first-round exit, that's the beauty of South Carolina football. There's always next year, and next year starts tomorrow.