South Carolina High School Football Rankings Shifted
Three programs entered the state high school football top-ten list following recent weekly game results.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Do you trust the accuracy of local high school football media rankings?
The weekly South Carolina media poll saw South Florence, Pickens, and Southside Christian enter the top-ten rankings in their respective classifications. The rankings were adjusted after sixteen media members evaluated the latest weekly game outcomes.
Why it matters
Regular updates to the state media poll reflect the shifting competitive landscape of high school football in South Carolina. These rankings are determined by sixteen media voters who monitor team performance throughout the season.
The rankings are based on the ballots of 16 South Carolina media members. Recent key outcomes influencing the poll include a 28-24 win for Dorman over Fort Mill and a 58-3 victory by Northwestern over Boiling Springs.
The players
South Florence
This high school athletic program competes in the South Carolina Class 4A football division.
Pickens
This high school athletic program competes in the South Carolina Class 3A football division.
Southside Christian
This high school athletic program competes in the South Carolina Class 2A football division.
The details
South Florence, Pickens, and Southside Christian secured spots in the top-ten for Class 4A, Class 3A, and Class 2A respectively. These teams replaced North Myrtle Beach, Gilbert, and Clinton, while Irmo, Fort Mill, and Boiling Springs experienced notable drops in their class rankings.
Timeline
The weekly South Carolina prep football media poll was released on October 6, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The South Carolina state media high school football poll provides the framework for assessing team dominance relative to the state championships. This week's updates follow the pattern of weekly movement dictated by the poll to determine state supremacy.
The changes in the Class 5A rankings place additional pressure on Fort Mill and Boiling Springs to recover following their recent losses. Meanwhile, the Blackville-Hilda and Wagener-Salley game, which ended 34-28, remains a focal point for movement within the Class A hierarchy.
The takeaway
Fans and observers can track how these weekly polling movements correlate with the final playoff seedings as the season progresses. Consistent performance in high-stakes regional matchups remains the primary driver for team advancement in the rankings.
Further reading
For more on the current state of local prep athletics, visit our South Carolina Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Herald.
Live Poll
Do you trust the accuracy of local high school football media rankings?
