The Unbeaten: Breaking Down The Perfect Teams After Week 6

After seven possible weeks of games, the Palmetto State is down to 17 undefeated SCHSL teams. That's roughly eight percent of the member programs who play football.   Needless to say, being in that exclusive company means something.   Each week through the remainder of the regular season, we're going to look at how this bunch got to where they're at. The list will dwindle naturally, as many of the teams in this first crop will face each other before we hit the playoffs.    Let's take a quick look at the players driving these undefeated squads so far.    CLASS A   Dixie Hornets (5-0)   Last game: Beat Calhoun Falls Charter 40-6 (Oct. 4)   About the Hornets: The lone Class A undefeated squad has lightning in a bottle in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1267345' first='Brandon' last='Nance'] in multiple phases of the game. He scored another four touchdowns in last week's win over Calhoun Falls Charter en route to another 200-yard game. Fellow ball carrier [player_tooltip player_id='14677823' first='Jayden' last='Martin'] is also capable of putting up yards the more opponents start to key in on Nance.   Next up: at Whitmire (Friday)   CLASS 2A    Batesburg-Leesville Panthers (5-0)   Last game: Beat Mid-Carolina 48-0 (Sept. 25)   About the Panthers: While most of the team's wins were expected the 37-35 win over Abbeville in Week 2 doesn't happen without [player_tooltip player_id='1592414' first='KD' last='Whitt']'s four receptions for 117 yards and three touchdowns or 266 passing yards from quarterback Tanner Watkins. Along with [player_tooltip player_id='1267286' first='Amadre' last='Wooden'] the Panthers are rolling so far.   Next up: vs. Ninety Six (Friday)   Saluda Tigers (4-0)   Last game: Beat Southside Christian 19-14 (Sept. 20)   About the Tigers: Defense has been the name of the game for Saluda this year, as sack artists Amir Johnson and Devon Wallace have five each, JT Lott has racked up nine tackles for loss (to go along with 36 tackles) and three different players have defensive touchdowns. The Tigers will likely have a furious final month of the season, but this defense can clearly do some damage.    Next up: at Pelion (Thursday)   CLASS 3A   MARLBORO COUNTY BULLDOGS (6-0)   Last game: Beat Aynor 41-8 (Oct. 4)    About the Bulldogs: This rebuilt Marlboro County squad is a definite contender in Class 3A after bringing in plenty of talent from across the border. Defensive ends [player_tooltip player_id='823896' first='Josiah' last='Dwyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1422580' first='Kaiden' last='Walton'] have been dominating opposing offensive tackles and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1159887' first='Jakarrion' last='Kenan'] has been a menace on the back end. It's allowing a high-powered offense more than enough time to created some massive divides in the scoring categories.    Next up: at Georgetown (Friday)   MOUNTAIN VIEW PREP STARS (5-0)   Last game: Beat Asheville School (NC) 42-21 (Sept. 20)   About the Stars: The first-year program has an established quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='349806' first='Bryson' last='Drummond'] who has already thrown for more than 1,200 yards and a top-flight tailback in [player_tooltip player_id='473001' first='Jaylen' last='McGill'] (pictured), who appears to be able to do whatever he wants whenever he wants (650 rushing yards, 288 receiving yards, 11 touchdowns). Mix in receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1395046' first='KD' last='Hainsworth'] (11 touchdowns, 657 yards) and Mountain View might have the capacity to run the table.    Next up: at Chapman (Friday)   WOODRUFF WOLVERINES (5-0)   Last game: Beat Chesnee 45-28 (Sept. 20)   About the Wolverines: Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1253917' first='TJ' last='Morris'] (1,003 yards, 10 touchdowns) has quickly turned into an ultra-effective and efficient signal-caller. He's completing north of 70 percent of his passes. In the meantime, tailback [player_tooltip player_id='1036753' first='Aiden' last='Gibson'] (858 yards, 12 touchdowns) is looking more dangerous than a sophomore should be.    Next up: TBD   CLASS 4A   SENECA BOBCATS (5-0)    Last game: Beat Travelers Rest 63-12 (Sept. 20)   About the Bobcats: Tailbacks Peyson Jones and Amari Verner and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1165153' first='Gavin' last='Thoma'] are forming one heck of a trifecta coming out of the backfield. Case in point, in that lopsided win over Travelers Rest, they combined for five rushing scores in addition to a pair of touchdown passes from Thoma. The Bobcats are also allowing just 15 points per game through those first five contests.    Next up: vs. Berea (Friday)   MAY RIVER SHARKS (5-0)   Last game: Beat Colleton County 42-6 (Oct. 4)   About the Sharks: We came into the season knowing quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1360121' first='Tanner' last='Macy'] could run the ball. After all, he sailed past 2,000 career yards in the season-opening win over Airport. What we didn't know was that he has more help than he's had. Three other ball carriers - [player_tooltip player_id='1592214' first='Andrew' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1574079' first='Asa' last='Haskins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1592230' first='Sean' last='Mitchell'] - have each run for at least 380 yards. Factor in that sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1422598' first='Zavier' last='Polite'] is having a monster campaign that includes eight tackles for loss and three sacks, and the Sharks are rolling.   Next up: at Bishop England (Friday)   WESTSIDE RAMS (4-0)   Last game: Beat Prince Avenue Christian (Ga.) 49-41 (Sept. 20)   About the Rams: Westside has run its state best winning streak to 18 games by ripping off huge point total after huge point total. South Carolina commit [player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods'] (1,048 yards) has already thrown for 13 touchdowns, taking advantage of his new favorite target in [player_tooltip player_id='272708' first='Chamarryus' last='Bomar'] - the Byrnes transfer. [player_tooltip player_id='1165096' first='Jaxx' last='Wilson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1664575' first='Malachi' last='Peterson'] have been dynamic on the other side of the ball, often making enough plays to allow the Rams to jump on opponents.    Next up: at Emerald (Friday)   CLASS 5A   SUMTER GAMECOCKS (7-0)   Last game: Beat West Florence 63-25 (Oct. 3)   About the Gamecocks: For as good as some recent Gamecocks squads have been, this one might be the best in recent memory. And this defense is legit. Laurence Manning transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1359132' first='Jeremiah' last='Burson'] (52 tackles, nine tackles for loss), hybrid [player_tooltip player_id='876560' first='Tymaries' last='Thompson-DuRant'] (49 tackles, seven tackles for loss) and [player_tooltip player_id='595702' first='Anthony' last='Addison'] (49 tackles, 12 tackles for loss) are proving to be way too much for opponents to handle on a snap-by-snap basis.    Next up: vs. Blythewood (Oct. 18)   NORTHWESTERN TROJANS (7-0)   Last game: Beat Clover 57-23 (Oct. 4)   About the Trojans: After opening the year with a one-point win over North Carolina powerhouse Hough, Northwestern and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk'] are making some very good teams look like they're grossly overmatched. Sophomore tailback [player_tooltip player_id='1603697' first='Zymier' last='Gordon-Miles'] already has a pair of 100-yard rushing games and receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance'] and [player_tooltip player_id='753896' first='Jayden' last='Nichols'] are each over 500 receiving yards.    Next up: at Fort Mill (Friday)   SUMMERVILLE GREEN WAVE (6-0)   Last game: Beat Stall 77-6 (Oct. 4)   About the Green Wave: Summerville has mixed in new faces with some old standouts and just kept on winning. Sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'] has been seeing significant snaps on offense as both a receiver and a runner. Sophomore tailback [player_tooltip player_id='1215391' first='Jayven' last='Williams'] has more than simply made the jump from the junior varsity. And seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1249768' first='Keshon' last='Washington'] and [player_tooltip player_id='367350' first='Jaden' last='Cummings'] are stars in real time.    Next up: at James Island (Friday)   HILLCREST RAMS (4-0)   Last game: Beat Mauldin 51-6 (Sept. 20)   About the Rams: Hillcrest avoided a September 6 scare at Greenwood when it pulled out a 28-21 victory on the road. [player_tooltip player_id='809746' first='Kalab' last='Sutton'] kept the Rams on the right side of the win column by throwing for 324 yards and two touchdowns in that game - both of the scores going to [player_tooltip player_id='347516' first='Weston' last='Willis'] - and [player_tooltip player_id='1013066' first='Brayden' last='Johnson'] added a short scoring run. Wills looks like he'll end the season with more than 1,000 receiving yards, and leading running back [player_tooltip player_id='1359171' first='Frank' last='Starks'] is starting to mesh after moving north from Florida in the offseason.    Next up: at JL Mann (Friday)   IRMO YELLOW JACKETS (6-0)   Last game: Beat Lexington 34-8 (Oct. 4)   About the Yellow Jackets: About the only surprise in the Yellow Jackets' first six games is that receiver [player_tooltip player_id='377560' first='Donovan' last='Murph'] reclassified from a junior to a senior. [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'] has been dynamic as both a passer (1,433 yards, 14 touchdowns) and runner (615 yards, nine touchdowns). [player_tooltip player_id='755890' first='Amire' last='White'] has been an instant force at tailback while [player_tooltip player_id='1422528' first='Maleek' last='Miller'] has done the same at receiver. And there are a ton of other pieces that have helped Irmo continue to churn out wins.    Next up: vs. River Bluff (Friday)   RIVER BLUFF GATORS (6-0)   Last game: Beat White Knoll 24-21 (Oct. 4)   About the Gators: While the Gators have clicked back into form on offense some, the biggest change from last year to this is an improved defense that is giving up 10 points fewer per game. [player_tooltip player_id='1422592' first='Caleb' last='Pinkney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='464880' first='Stephen' last='Collier'] each have at least two interceptions. Senior Blaine Felder is averaging just shy of 10 tackles per game, while three more seniors have already put up at least 30 total stops. It's further magnified the offensive steps taken by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='464884' first='Parker' last='Murray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1360145' first='Aaron' last='Griffin'] and Collier at receiver.    Next up: at Irmo (Friday)   DUTCH FORK SILVER FOXES (5-0)   Last game: Beat Chapin 63-10 (Oct. 4)   About the Silver Foxes: This team is certainly playing like one that paid attention to last season's early struggles. Tailback [player_tooltip player_id='1012701' first='Maurice' last='Anderson'] is reaching the end zone about every five times he runs the ball, quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1267290' first='Ethan' last='Offing'] has already thrown for 1,075 yards and 10 scores and a defense led by senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1012706' first='Josh' last='Smith'] has shown up in force to take on coach Tom Knotts' all-hands-on-deck philosophy. The Silver Foxes have been the best team in South Carolina over the last decade, and they appear ready to continue that legacy.   Next up: vs. White Knoll (Friday)    GAFFNEY INDIANS (4-0)   Last game: Beat Boiling Springs 28-22 (Sept. 20)   About the Indians: Even when first-year quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='284134' first='Jayvon' last='Gilmore'] was ejected in that win over Boiling Springs, it didn't matter. Receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1254122' first='Jamarcus' last='Smith'] stepped in and went off to pick up a crucial region victory. The Indians will probably need to rely on their defense for a couple games, but with [player_tooltip player_id='605522' first='Andrew' last='Ruppe'] and Josh Corry and [player_tooltip player_id='615213' first='Jayden' last='Sims'] all raring to go after a long layoff, the Indians can buy themselves some time until Gilmore returns.    Next up: vs. Byrnes (Friday)

After seven possible weeks of games, the Palmetto State is down to 17 undefeated SCHSL teams. That's roughly eight percent of the member programs who play football.