Daniel and Westside Claim No. 1 Prep Football Rankings

The latest South Carolina prep football media poll names two local programs as the top-ranked teams in their respective classes.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Football

Daniel and Westside Claim No. 1 Prep Football Rankings

Live Poll

Is high school sports competition in your area getting more intense for students and local families?

D.W. Daniel High School and Westside High School secured the top spots in the latest S.C. Prep Football Media Poll. Additionally, Pickens High School has earned a statewide Top 10 ranking for the first time.

Why it matters

These rankings reflect the current competitive hierarchy across South Carolina high school football as teams maintain strong winning records. The recognition highlights the recent performance of several programs in the tri-county region.

D.W. Daniel High School and Pickens High School hold undefeated 7-0 records, while Westside High School and T.L. Hanna High School both maintain 6-1 standings.

The players

D.W. Daniel High School

This educational institution is a perennial contender in South Carolina high school athletics located in Central.

Westside High School

Based in Anderson, this school has established itself as a significant force in state-level football competition.

Pickens High School

This high school has reached a milestone by securing a position in the statewide Top 10 rankings for the first time.

T.L. Hanna High School

Located in Anderson, the school maintains a strong reputation for its high-scoring offensive football program.

Wren High School

The school competes at a high level within the regional football landscape and currently maintains a 7-1 record.

The details

D.W. Daniel High School earned every first-place vote in the latest media poll to solidify its position as the top team in Class 3A. Meanwhile, T.L. Hanna High School leveraged a series of high-scoring offensive performances to secure its No. 3 ranking.

The latest S.C. Prep Football Media Poll was released on October 15, 2026.
These rankings reflect team performances during the Fall 2026 high school football season.

Season Trajectory

These rankings significantly influence the playoff seeding landscape, as top-ranked teams look to maintain their status heading into the postseason. The success of programs like Pickens High School shifts the competitive balance, potentially forcing changes in the projected bracket paths.

Undefeated status for D.W. Daniel and Pickens High School keeps both programs in the driver's seat for home-field advantage throughout the upcoming playoffs. Conversely, the 6-1 records for T.L. Hanna and Westside mean every remaining game is critical to holding their respective rankings.

The takeaway

Maintaining a high media ranking serves as a strong indicator of team momentum as schools enter the final stretch of the regular season. Fans should monitor final records as these schools compete for top seeds in the approaching state tournament.