What PRZ’s Power Score Says About the Unbeatens

After seven weeks of games, South Carolina is down to 13 SCHSL programs who are still rolling perfect.   Those 13 are a mix of those we believed were capable of this type of start to the 2025 season - but also a few who had a much tougher road. This is a perfect time to incorporate the Prep RedZone Power Score.    Our formula takes into account win percentage, point differential, strength of schedule and the strength of each team's classification. Wins are good; wins against stronger teams are even better.   We're not re-inventing the wheel here. But as you can see from each of the undefeated teams' respective Power Score, there's some serious strength behind the formula, as well.    We're going to start at the top, with an Irmo squad that is leading the entire state - not just Class 5A - with a Power Score of 95.99. We'll then work our way down the other undefeated squads.   EDITOR'S NOTE: Want a more complete look at the PRZ Power Score and see where your team stacks up? <a href="https://prepredzone.com/south-carolina/team-database/">Visit our database</a>, updated early every Monday morning.   Irmo Yellow Jackets    Class: 5A   Record: 6-0   PRZ Power Score: 95.99, No. 1   What We Saw Coming: The Irmo defensive line has to be considered among the most impressive in the state. Behind [player_tooltip player_id='755914' first='Jaiden' last='Bryant'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1172366' first='Tyrone' last='Jennings'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1734510' first='Major' last='Taylor'] and any others who mix in, the line is making opponents more and more one-dimensional by the week.    What We Didn't: [player_tooltip player_id='860400' first='Drevon' last='Dopson'] was a hard offseason read for a number of reasons. For starters, he was coming off a major medical issue. The 2026 quarterback was also in the midst of a transfer to Irmo, a school that has been developing its replacement for all-everything quarterback AJ Brand the last 18 months. But while we knew Dopson was good, it would have been foolish to assume he'd start the year off with a 19-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio or that the Yellow Jacket offense would click around him so quickly.    This Week: At River Bluff   James Island Trojans   Class: 5A   Record: 6-0   PRZ Power Score: 95.56, No. 2   What We Saw Coming: James Island is one of those squads we definitely believed could start the year 6-0. The Trojans' defense had reloaded from last season's 10-win campaign, and the addition of linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1274260' first='Bryson' last='Bowers'] (who made the jump from West Ashley) didn't hurt. This is a lineup full of seniors and juniors with plenty of experience who are now taking on major leadership roles. Mix in the occasional sophomore - like defensive back Deuce Prioleau - and James Island has some serious firepower on that side of the ball.    What We Didn't: Senior tailback [player_tooltip player_id='402500' first='Malachi' last='Washington'] rushed for 86 yards last season in what can only be described as an awkward season for Trojan tailbacks. In the last three weeks, we've seen how much damage he can do. He sat out last week's win over West Ashley to make sure he's fully healthy for the rest of region play, and that's turning into a scary thought for opponents.    This Week: At Summerville    Indian Land Warriors   Class: 5A    Record: 6-0    PRZ Power Score: 93.69, No. 4   What We Saw Coming: When we ranked quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1467825' first='Matt' last='Kucia'] during his freshman season, it's wasn't by accident. When [player_tooltip player_id='1819992' first='Sequel' last='Patterson'] classed up to the Class of 2026 so he could enroll at South Carolina ahead of schedule, it wasn't a huge surprise. When [player_tooltip player_id='1592288' first='Jamol' last='Horton'] started out-pacing his 2024 rushing totals, yep, that was a strong possibility, too. The Warriors are as loaded as they've been since their squad 20 years ago, and that was as a small Class A program.    What We Didn't: For as good as some of those offensive weapons are (and have been), the defensive pieces have been even better. [player_tooltip player_id='1592557' first='Michael' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1592633' first='Michael' last='Foster'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1422617' first='Jackson' last='Conner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1550509' first='CJ' last='Petri'] and others have been elite together. This is what the staff hoped for. But until it all went into action, it was simply that, hopefully optimistic.   This Week: At Catawba Ridge   Loris Lions   Class: 3A   Record: 6-0   PRZ Power Score: 93.63, No. 5    What We Saw Coming: [player_tooltip player_id='797160' first='Moon' last='Gerald'] spent all of 2024 showing us how efficient he could be. And he hasn't let up one bit. The now-senior quarterback didn't throw his first interception until Friday night, and by that point he'd already put up 20 touchdown passes. This offense revolves around his big right arm. There's a reason six different receivers have already hit triple digits in yards.    What We Didn't: Nobody was going to predict that Loris' most productive defensive players were going to be sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1817499' first='Jay' last='Todd'] and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1881794' first='Ethan' last='Shaw'] - and, yet, here we are. Both players are averaging right around eight tackles per game. Why is that important? Because their consistency is giving the big dogs of the defense opportunities to do what they do best. And if they keep wreaking havoc, there's no telling how far this program can go in 2025.    This Week: Vs. Waccamaw   Belton-Honea Path Bears    Class: 3A    Record: 7-0   PRZ Power Score: 92.48, No. 7    What We Saw Coming: Anyone with a pulse knew the Bears were going to be good, even after losing Marquise Henderson to the college ranks. It wasn't as if [player_tooltip player_id='1730056' first='Noah' last='Thomas'] or [player_tooltip player_id='779428' first='Tajeh' last='Watson-Martin'] or [player_tooltip player_id='1372151' first='Jakyri' last='Anderson'] were going to forget how to be really good at this game. Even more players took their opportunities for more meaningful snaps and ran with them, too. Put it together, and the Bears have been one of the most dominant teams in the state in regards to not only the wins, but the point differential in those wins.   What We Didn't: [player_tooltip player_id='1639798' first='MJ' last='Earl'] entered the 2025 season ranked in the mid-300s in our Class of 2026 rankings. He won't be sitting in the mid-300s after our next update. In his first five games (he missed two) this fall, he rushed for 10 touchdowns and caught a couple more. He scored at least one in each of his first five and at least two in four of those five games.    This Week: Off   Mountain View Prep Stars   Class: 3A    Record: 6-0    PRZ Power Score: 91.87, No. 13   What We Saw Coming: [player_tooltip player_id='1395046' first='KD' last='Hainsworth'] will have only played two years at MVP, but his place on the school's Mount Rushmore is solidified for the foreseeable future. Much like Jaylen McGill did a year ago, it's not simply his production value for the Stars that matters; it's how he looks doing so. Hainsworth with the ball in his hands in a threat to score every time. And there aren't many opposing coaches who would argue that fact.    What We Didn't: [player_tooltip player_id='1654910' first='Makorean' last='Anderson-Wallington'] had a solid sophomore season at nearby Dorman. He's already made that look like child's play in his first six games at MVP. In addition to throwing for 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns, he's also rushed for another 646 and 13.    This Week: Vs. Chapman   Newberry Bulldogs   Class: 3A    Record: 7-0   PRZ Power Score: 90.68, No. 19   What We Saw Coming: The Bulldogs have a bunch of weapons, and the addition of [player_tooltip player_id='1099127' first='Jamere' last='Crooks'] in the offseason didn't hurt. From [player_tooltip player_id='816735' first='Jamel' last='Howse'] to Julian Senn to [player_tooltip player_id='473022' first='BJ' last='Jones'] to any number of others, Newberry's roster is full of three- and four-year starters who are all peaking at the right time. Maybe no Bulldog has taken as big of a leap as…   What We Didn't: QB [player_tooltip player_id='1267234' first='Kenton' last='Caldwell'] has been nearly unstoppable for a Bulldog offense where he was maybe the third focus point for opposing coordinators heading into the season. After he dropped seven touchdowns on Union County in the season opener, Caldwell's importance to Newberry - and those opposing coordinators - shot through the roof.    This Week: At Fox Creek   Orangeburg-Wilkinson Bruins   Class: 3A    Record: 6-0   PRZ Power Score: 90.58, No. 21   What We Saw Coming: Ball carriers [player_tooltip player_id='1126113' first='Jordan' last='Avinger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1361647' first='Derrick' last='Thomas'] put themselves on a lot of radars as juniors, with Avinger initially verbally committing to Arkansas before recently changing his mind after a Razorbacks' coaching change. These two are complementary of each other in the ground game and individually carry a serious punch.    What We Didn't: Incoming transfers [player_tooltip player_id='1267282' first='Daylin' last='Haltiwanger'] (Hammond), [player_tooltip player_id='1734490' first='Jaylen' last='Dash'] (Lake Marion) and [player_tooltip player_id='1220232' first='Christopher' last='Glover'] (Calhoun County) have meshed in well with the existing roster, and they've each taken turns playing vital roles for the Bruins. The tough part of the O-W schedule is over the next four weeks, but it's nothing any of those three haven't seen before.    This Week: At Hanahan   Bamberg-Ehrhardt Red Raiders   Class: A    Record: 7-0   PRZ Power Score: 90.28, No. 23    What We Saw Coming: There's a reason the Raiders have so many ranked players in our system. While Chanston Crosby graduated and headed to play college ball, [player_tooltip player_id='816740' first='Marcus' last='Cann'] [player_tooltip player_id='1196428' first='Jalen' last='McGraw'] (pictured) and plenty of others were back in tow. Every week, one of those two or someone like [player_tooltip player_id='1817744' first='Chris' last='Washington'] or [player_tooltip player_id='1819949' first='Jason' last='Youmans'] has another big game. Factor in the next two guys, and 7-0 seems pretty on cue.   What We Didn't: Quarterback Brian McMillan took over for Crosby and looks pretty elite in his own right. He's already had a few 300-yard passing games, and the fact that someone like [player_tooltip player_id='1036756' first='Jordan' last='Bovain'] is now there after transferring from Hampton County) means there are simply too many playmakers for opposing Class A programs to even try to contain. McMillan has already thrown for 2,100 yards and 26 touchdowns.   This Week: Off   Ware Shoals Hornets   Class: A    Record: 6-0   PRZ Power Score: 89.84, No. 25    What We Saw Coming: The Hornets have already surpassed their 2024 win total (5-5, first-round playoff loss), so we're not going to sit here and say that a 6-0 start was predestined. But QB [player_tooltip player_id='1821508' first='Jayden' last='Johnson'] was already a school record holder and linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1267314' first='Elijah' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1639784' first='Trent' last='Dyal'] were all back and coming into the season with a head of steam after strong offseasons. Some improvement over last year's production did feel pretty natural.    What We Didn't: [player_tooltip player_id='1869917' first='Josh' last='Winbush'] exploded out of the gate even more than we thought he could when we added him to the Class of 2028 rankings. Through six games, the defensive end has piled up 24 tackles for loss and nine sacks. For everything last year's returning starters have accomplished, he's been the ultimate elixir against programs who can't slow him down.    This Week: At McCormick    Central Eagles    Class: 2A    Record: 7-0   PRZ Power Score: 89.48, No. 28   What We Saw Coming: This roster looks like one that was developed to compete for a Class 2A state title. We felt comfortable saying that back in the spring when we dove head first into evaluation after evaluation of Central's returning plays. [player_tooltip player_id='1664364' first='Dwayne' last='Louallen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1639753' first='Aiden' last='Short'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1592629' first='Taveon' last='Moore'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1639669' first='Ashten' last='Wilson'] all had big-boy film and showed signs of gelling into something truly special.    What We Didn't: The Eagles swapped from a 3-4 to a 4-2 defense in the offseason, and linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1823097' first='Eric' last='Maddox'] (24 tackles, seven TFL through ), [player_tooltip player_id='1823100' first='Marzavious' last='Allen'] (12 tackles, four TFL), [player_tooltip player_id='1815952' first='Tahir' last='Wise'] (11 tackles, one TFL), [player_tooltip player_id='1820527' first='Isaiah' last='Tyson'] (15 tackles, one TFL) and [player_tooltip player_id='1825304' first='Timmy' last='Tyson'] (14 tackles, five TFL) have all exceeded expectations and allowed a free-flowing back seven roam free to make even more impact plays. Only Maddox was a starter last year.   This Week: Off   Swansea Tigers   Class: 3A    Record: 7-0   PRZ Power Score: 88.86, No. 31   What We Saw Coming: A year ago, Swansea averaged 25 points per game and won seven games. Everyone expected some growth in coach Willie Fox's second season. Sure enough, the Tigers are now up to about 38 points per game while checking off 319 yards per contest. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1672924' first='Kendall' last='Wright'] (665 yards passing, 270 rushing), [player_tooltip player_id='1267270' first='Dante' last='Caldwell'] (449 yards, nine touchdowns) and [player_tooltip player_id='1819945' first='Deandre' last='Caldwell'] (321 yards, six touchdowns) have all carried their responsibilities well.    What We Didn't: The Swansea defense has taken tremendous strides with its impact plays. Its forced nine fumbles and WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1816291' first='Trace' last='Selfridge'] has picked off two of the team's four passes while [player_tooltip player_id='1822446' first='Jerel' last='Wine'] has already put up 10 tackles for loss. Nick Riley and Jeremiah Waymyers have eight each. Those are all game-changing plays that have elevated the Tigers.    This Week: Off   Carvers Bay Bears    Class: A    Record: 7-0   PRZ Power Score: 87.48, No. 43   What We Saw Coming: South Carolina offensive line commit [player_tooltip player_id='402516' first='Zyon' last='Guiles'] was the majority of the Bears' headlines the last two years, while the Bears won a total of nine games. His flexibility to play different positions up front for Carvers Bay was going to add an acclimation point for the rest of the offense, and as such he's been a boon for this team during a run of close games. The most important part of those, of course, is that the Bears have won all of them.    What We Didn't: No one had [player_tooltip player_id='1820181' first='Kenard' last='Heyward'] on their short list for one of the state's most effective ball carriers. But he enters Friday's game at Lake View within striking distance (for him) of 2,000 rushing yards on the year. He needed a little more time, sure, but apparently it was more about simply giving him the opportunity to touch the ball more. Heyward has made just about every opponent so far look like he was indefensible.    This Week: At Lake View

After seven weeks of games, South Carolina is down to 13 SCHSL programs who are still rolling perfect.