Realignment Reality: The New Class 2A
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When the talk was over and the dust started to settle, the South Carolina High School League’s realignment for the 2024-2026 window immediately pointed to massive change. A three-times multiplier went into effect statewide, and the filter-down to Class 2A…
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Continue ReadingWhen the talk was over and the dust started to settle, the South Carolina High School League’s realignment for the 2024-2026 window immediately pointed to massive change.
A three-times multiplier went into effect statewide, and the filter-down to Class 2A meant a lot of hooting and hollering from some of the other existing programs in the division who stayed there. The reasoning wasn’t all that hard to figure out.
Abbeville, Gray Collegiate and Oceanside Collegiate teamed up to win seven of the last eight state championships in Class 2A, with the later two falling to one of the others in the finals one additional time. Now, all three of them are elsewhere.
But before the proverbial angels sing for one of the remaining Class 2A teams, there will be a lot to sort out over the course of the 2024 season. And while we’ll have storylines galore during the first half of the season, realignment is all about which teams are paired in come region play.
Here are a few of the biggest ones we’re expecting to need to track.
REGION I-2A
While Clinton will be in Region III for the rest of its sports, the Red Devils will be scooting a bit to the northwest for football. That’s not good news for Blacksburg, Chesnee, Landrum and Liberty.
Clinton quarterback Tushawan Richardson Tushawan Richardson 6'0" | 165 lbs | QB Clinton | 2025 State SC will be back behind center after throwing for nearly 1,700 yards yards and 23 touchdowns and rushing for another 800-plus and six more scores. Tailbacks DJ Clark and Javen Cook Javen Cook 5'5" | 155 lbs | RB Clinton | 2026 SC are back, too, as the ultra-reliable Rion Gordon Rion Gordon 5'10" | 240 lbs | OL Clinton | 2025 State SC at center and budding tackle Tre Aiken Tre Aiken 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL Clinton | 2026 SC – who won top OL honors during the Joanne Langiftt Challenge in December.
Defensively, leading tackler Brett Young Brett Young 5'10" | 175 lbs | LB Clinton | 2025 State SC (70 tackles, 17 tackles for loss) and safety Chris Boyd (43 tackles, two interceptions, five pass break-ups, forced fumble). Much of the rest of the supporting cast still needs seasoning, but Clinton has what it needs on paper to win a third straight region title.
OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH IN THE REGION
Cameron Cobb Cameron Cobb 6'4" | 180 lbs | WR Blacksburg | 2025 State SC and Ziyon Harrs WR, Blacksburg
We absolutely dig what these can do as a tandem. There’s a reason they were both Class 2A All-State honorable mentions last season, after all. And since quarterback Josh Sims received the same designation after throwing for 2,000-plus years and is also back for another year, yeah, we think that trio can be even more potent as seniors. Here’s Sims throwing it around a good bit, most often to Cobb and Harris.
REGION II-2A
Just how fast can the Ninety Six trajectory go? We’re about to find out.
Because after the likes of Zayvion King Zayvion King 5'11" | 190 lbs | ATH Ninety Six | 2025 State SC and Gabe Hackett Gabe Hackett 5'10" | 185 lbs | ATH Ninety Six | 2026 State SC and Austin Wertz and Carver Davis and Kayden Payne Kayden Payne 5'9" | 190 lbs | LB Ninety Six | 2026 SC and a slew of other returning players helped take this from a five-win team to a eight-win one in coach Matt Bennett’s first year, the combination of belief and talent is definitely there.
So is the opportunity. While new region foe Strom Thurmond is one of the more respected programs in the classification, the Rebels lost more than 80 percent of their offensive production from last season and seven of their top tacklers on defense. Granted, rising senior Josh Merriweather Josh Merriweather 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Strom Thurmond | 2025 State SC might go from overlooked defensive end to downright star in the blink of an eye. Strom Thurmond has a tendency to draw those types when no one is expecting it.
OTHER PLAYER TO WATCH IN THE REGION
Amadre Wooden RB, Batesburg-Leesville
You put up more than 1,500 all-purpose yards, you’re probably doing something right. And then your coaches decide they’re going to feed you even more. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound tailback often slides out to the wing. Regardless of his position at the snap, he has breakaway speed on handoffs or quick passes to the flat alike. It also takes more than a handful to bring him down.
REGION III-2A
With respect to the other four teams in the region, we’re not sure there’s much here that can prevent Chester from steamrolling the bunch. Quarterback Trooper Floyd Trooper Floyd 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Chester | 2025 State SC (2,060 passing yards, 551 rushing yards, 23 total touchdowns) is back for one more season under his father, Victor. Big offensive lineman JaBrell White JaBrell White 6'2" | 275 lbs | OL Chester | 2025 State SC (6-foot-3, 275) is back. Did we mention talented defenders Darriyarn Baxley Darriyarn Baxley 5'10" | 165 lbs | LB Chester | 2026 State SC (126 tackles, 17 TFL), Terry Radford Terry Radford 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL Chester | 2026 State SC (74 tackles, 16 TFL), Hudhaifah Taylor (79 tackles, 11 TFL) and a few others are right back at it, too?
For all intents and purposes, whatever Chester lost from last fall’s squad, it will have the luxury of time to figure out before the all-important region games. The potential for another 10-win season is clearly there again.
OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH IN THE REGION
TyDarion Grier TyDarion Grier 5'9" | 170 lbs | WR Fairfield Central | 2025 State SC WR, Chris Pearson Chris Pearson 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB Fairfield Central | 2025 State SC DB, Fairfield Central
Some of the luster was taken off the Griffins’ 2024 season when quarterback Cameron McMillon Cameron McMillon 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Fairfield Central | 2026 State SC transferred to South Pointe at the semester break. But in Pearson and Greer Fairfield Central clearly still possesses to outstanding playmakers. Pearson is a the guy often playing opposite the other team’s best receiver and he doesn’t give up a lot a yards. He might just see some more time on offense this year, too. And in Grier, the Griffins already had a proven deep threat before they started to use him some out of the backfield, too. He went out last season and casually put up four 100-yard rushing games and 609 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.
REGION IV-2A
Thanks to graduations, maybe no other region in the state will be defined more by being able to build its program than simply relying on last season’s stars. That brings us to maybe the two more interesting teams in the bunch – North Central and Chesterfield.
Both squads are returning the vast majority of their 2023 production next fall, and that’s even with North Central losing bruising 1,000-yard tailback Casey Shropshire Casey Shropshire 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB North Central | 2024 State SC . The Knights, however, will return two-way standout Jonathan Clarkson (773 rushing yards, nine touchdowns; 77 tackles 12 tackles for loss) at running back and linebacker. He’ll also have a ton of help on defense.
Most notably, safety Jordan Joe Jordan Joe 6'4" | 180 lbs | DB North Central | 2025 State SC (pictured) and his 6-foot-4 frame picked off seven passes last season to go along with 51 tackles. There’s also team leader Aiden Wiles, who had 73 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss (and also starts on the offensive line), linebackers Quayson Peoples (67 tackles, 10 TFL) and Dalton Davis (53 tackles) and Malik Jones (49 tackles) and all-region selection Ashton Brazell at corner.
Chesterfield was similarly young last year. And that means a whole bunch of returning faces who spent last year taking some licks but also getting more comfortable with each other.
The two biggest returners are probably receiver Jaquavis Clark Jaquavis Clark 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Chesterfield | 2025 State SC (670 yards, nine touchdowns), a player who also steps in at Wildcat and some on defense, and linebacker Sincere Hubbard (73 tackles, 4.5 TFL), who led the team in stops last season. Also back are quarterback Bryce Adams, two-way linemen Tage Diggs and Xavier Rivers.
OTHER PLAYER TO WATCH IN THE REGION
Tray Wilson Tray Wilson 5'9" | 175 lbs | ATH Central | 2025 State SC ATH, Central
Wilson is one of those guys who has seen his role evolve the longer he plays. Primarily a tailback, the 5-foot-9, 150-pounder improved his yards-per-carry figures from his sophomore (6.6) to his junior (10.0) seasons – while topping 800 yards in each year. He also became an effective change-of-pace slot receiver, which was really just another way to get the ball into his hands. There, he added another 383 yards. The 17 tackles and a pick he added from the secondary was further evidence we’re going to see plenty of him this fall.
REGION V-2A
This cluster of teams certainly won’t lack any star power capable of turning some heads.
Barnwell quarterback Cameron Austin Cameron Austin 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Barnwell | 2025 State SC threw for 1,765 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for another 911 yards and 21 more scores. Both of his top pass catchers – Jaquan Peeples and Logan Sturkie – are back, too. Those three also were one, two and three for the Warhorses in rushing yards last year.
Edisto’s Terrell Thomas Terrell Thomas 5'10" | 190 lbs | ATH Edisto | 2025 State SC will also be back behind center in the team’s run-first scheme that has him staring at a 1,000-yard rushing campaign.
Over at Whale Branch, rising sophomore defensive tackle Rahiem Saunders Rahiem Saunders 6'2" | 295 lbs | DL Whale Branch | 2027 State SC has big-time potential in the middle while active multi-faceted defenders Treshon Hills, Davon Evans and Alonzo Allen Alonzo Allen 5'10" | 170 lbs | LB Whale Branch | 2025 State SC all have another year left.
Hampton County has to move on from the Zion Dobson Zion Dobson 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Hampton County | 2024 State SC era, but it has also been planning for it. The likes of Josh Goodman Josh Goodman 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Hampton County | 2025 State SC at receiver, Jordan Bovain Jordan Bovain 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Hampton County | 2027 State SC at receiver and tailback will become even bigger targets for quarterback Chris Terry (1,600 combined yards). Defensively, Mandrell Sanders Mandrell Sanders 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Hampton County | 2025 State SC has already shown how good he can be.
OTHER REGION PLAYER TO WATCH
Jaylen Singletary Jaylen Singletary 6'0" | 160 lbs | DB Hampton County | 2026 State SC DB, Hampton County
We initially moved Singletary into our Class of 2026 rankings as a defensive back after he picked off six passes and recorded more than 51 tackles. So, yes, obviously we think he’s got some skills. But what we’re looking to find out next is just how much and where he contributes on offense. He’s already got 30 varsity carries on his resume (averaging 9.9 yards per carry) and wouldn’t be surprised if he starts getting more passes thrown his way, too.
REGION VI-2A
Moving a touch north and/or toward the coast into Region VI will prove itself one of the more top-heavy divisions in the entire class in terms of players in the trenches. It likely defines itself as a true Class 2A battleground.
Andrews has tall defensive ends Khalil Dorsey Khalil Dorsey 6'2" | 200 lbs | DL Andrews | 2025 State SC and Chris Stewart Chris Stewart 6'5" | 200 lbs | DL Andrews | 2026 State SC ready to go.
Philip Simmons returns rising juniors Quamaine Vaughn Quamaine Vaughn 6'2" | 285 lbs | OL Philip Simmons | 2026 State SC and Steven Pickard Steven Pickard 6'5" | 300 lbs | OL Philip Simmons | 2026 State SC at at the tackle positions, as well as Michael Garnett Michael Garnett 5'11" | 270 lbs | DL Philip Simmons | 2026 State SC on the defensive line. Woodland’s Donovan Miles Donovan Miles 6'2" | 280 lbs | OL Woodland | 2026 State SC has big expectations after the departure of Kam Pringle Kam Pringle 6'7" | 305 lbs | OL Woodland | 2024 State SC to the University of South Carolina.
And Timberland tackle Desmond Green Desmond Green 6'4" | 330 lbs | OL Timberland | 2026 State SC still has two years of eligibility remaining and more than his share of college offers already in the tank.
We believe this is going to lead to some quirky scores throughout the season because while there are a decent number of skill positions returning, too, the heart of this region rests on the offensive and defensive lines right now.
OTHER REGION PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tavien Orellana Tavien Orellana 5'11" | 185 lbs | QB Philip Simmons | 2025 State SC and Max Stafford Max Stafford 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Philip Simmons | 2026 State SC QBs, Philip Simmons
The Iron Horses had no issue running a two-tailback system last year, and the team was often rewarded with huge rushing outputs. Now, the staff is going to be tested even more with a quarterback battle that is more than a full year in the making. Orellana (906 yards, 15 touchdowns) got the bulk of the reps last season in part because he only threw one pick in 94 attempts. But Stafford’s presence and arm strength is keeping him in the mix for more playing time.
REGION VII-2A
While there is uncertainty about the still first-year program at Atlantic Collegiate and unknown impacts of turnover at Marion, Lake City and East Clarendon, what we do know right now is that Manning and Kingstree are bringing back the types of pieces that should help both compete for a region crown.
The Blazers most notably are Tyleek Dukes Tyleek Dukes 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Kingstree | 2026 State SC (66 tackles, three forced fumbles, 22 receptions, 340 yards), Xavier Dukes Xavier Dukes 5'8" | 145 lbs | ATH Kingstree | 2025 State SC (299 receiving yards, three touchdowns, seven tackles, blocked punt) and Maleek Dukes Maleek Dukes 6'2" | 190 lbs | LB Kingstree | 2027 State SC (33 tackles, 15 tackles for loss). Rising sophomore Mycheal Wallace Mycheal Wallace 6'1" | 310 lbs | DL Kingstree | 2025 State SC (30 tackles, 11 tackles for loss) also gets more time with his hand in the dirt.
Up the road at Manning, rising junior linebacker Jontavious Canty (87 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss) will be leading the charge, while quarterback JaRae Mitchell (1,100 combined yards) and 260-pound tailback Jaylnn Coard (617 yards 15 touchdowns) will be the first and second priorities.
We’re definitely looking forward to the in-region match-up between those two on October 4.
OTHER REGION PLAYER TO WATCH
Dramere Pearson LB, Marion
If you’re looking for a player whose numbers might absolutely shoot through the roof this season, look no further than Pearson. As a junior, he led the Swamp Foxes in total stops (95) while adding 11 tackles for loss. Seven of the team’s eight next best tacklers all graduated. Pearson has excellent straight line speed and keeps himself around the ball at all times.