Biggest Offseason Storylines In Class A

As the offseason rolls into February, questions abound in Class A.   The state's smallest classification in terms of enrollments simultaneously has more regions and teams than any other. As a result, it has plenty of compelling storylines to watch as the 2026 season approaches. From who, if anyone, will emerge as a title contender after a wild 2025 postseason to which young players are primed to become household names, we have plenty of questions for the new year.   While teams begin to take shape for the upcoming season, let's dive into Class A's top storylines. The schools may be small, but the intrigue is anything but.   Will A New Face Emerge Atop The Mountain?   Turn on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and crank up the latest MC Hammer album, because Bamberg-Ehrhardt is partying like it's 1990.    The Red Raiders had waited 35 years for a state championship before capping a perfect 15-0 season with a 35-21 win over Lamar in the title bout last December. A new face capturing the Class 1A championship has been a rare sight in recent years. Prior to Bamberg-Ehrhardt's win, Abbeville had claimed its second title in three years after dropping down and Christ Church, Southside Christian, and Green Sea-Floyds has all won back-to-back championships. However, 2026 will feature multiple schools with a legitimate title shot who have waited at least a decade to hoist the hardware.    Cross, which last won a title in 2012, fell to the eventual state champs last year by three points in the Class 1A Lower State Championship. The Trojans return 1,000-yard back [player_tooltip player_id='1820227' first='Mah'Ky' last='Green'] (pictured) and a defense anchored by [player_tooltip player_id='1422604' first='Jailyn' last='Broughton'] up front after racked up 16 tackles for loss and five sacks last season.   Lewisville made the Class A Upper State Championship game before its quest for its first state title since 1998 came to an end at the hands of Lamar. The Lions will need a big season from junior defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1615102' first='Jay'Sean' last='Culp'] and the rest of the defense. Culp registered 36 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and 120 tackles during his sophomore campaign.   Hunter-Kinard-Tyler hasn't been crowned since 2014, but the Trojans boast plenty of returning talent. [player_tooltip player_id='1809016' first='Josiah' last='Ross'] is a standout defensive back, [player_tooltip player_id='1811059' first='De'Nyrion' last='Cave'] was named all-state at defensive line, and [player_tooltip player_id='1664511' first='Trenton' last='Summers'] accounted for 23 touchdowns during his sophomore season.    Carvers Bay fell to Bamberg-Ehrhardt in the third round last season, but the Bears should be a force to be reckoned with again. [player_tooltip player_id='1705035' first='Jakai' last='Cohen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822691' first='Triston' last='Diggs'] are the anchors up front and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1822697' first='Christian' last='Simmons'] is back for his third year as the starting quarterback as Carvers Bay seeks its first state title since 2006.    Who's Up Next?   Some of the state's most talented players in Class A have moved on, leaving spots and opportunities in their wake.   Lamar quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1165108' first='Zori' last='Pierce'] is heading to Newberry after guiding the Silver Foxes to the state championship game as a senior. Rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1822295' first='Jaylen' last='Morris'] is his expected successor and will have big shoes to fill after Pierce accounted for 2,946 total yards and 38 total touchdowns in 2025.    Cross will be without [player_tooltip player_id='473021' first='Caden' last='Ramsey'] and the enormous impact he made on both sides of the ball. Ramsey, who signed with South Carolina, scored 15 touchdowns on 70 offensive touchdowns and racked up 54 tackles and seven interceptions on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1820227' first='Mah'Ky' last='Green'] will be a key piece, but also keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1640713' first='Jakari' last='Wright'] at running back and cornerback.    With the departure of [player_tooltip player_id='402516' first='Zyon' last='Guiles'] from Carvers Bay to South Carolina, the Bears will need even more from Diggs and Cohen to help pave the way for a dominant run game. Tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1683177' first='Jaquan' last='Hannah'] can also be an asset in run blocking after missing seven week last season due to injury.    Hampton County's [player_tooltip player_id='1165165' first='Jaylen' last='Singletary'] rushed for 2,482 yard and a mind-boggling 46 touchdowns during his senior season while adding 52 tackles and five interceptions on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1819440' first='Nigil' last='Fripp'] averaged nearly six yards a carry last season with three rushing touchdowns, while [player_tooltip player_id='1823005' first='Dandre' last='Dobson'] intercepted three passes for the Hurricanes.   The reigning state champions must replace a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in [player_tooltip player_id='1819946' first='Marcus' last='Cann Jr.'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1196428' first='Jalen' last='McGraw']. Bamberg-Ehrhardt will need to replace their combined 28 rushing touchdowns and could get help in the form of [player_tooltip player_id='1822054' first='Jordan' last='Williams'] and his big-play ability in the backfield.    Which Athletes Will Dominate The Headlines?   The elite playmakers in Class A make their impact felt on both sides of the ball. Plenty of them return in 2026 and are expected to create more fireworks this fall.   Baptist Hill's [player_tooltip player_id='1172343' first='Kyilann' last='Gordon'] accounted for 539 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns last year for the Bobcats, while also adding 235 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. Gordon's ability to high point the ball was evident as he hauled in six interceptions to go along with his 86 tackles.    [player_tooltip player_id='1819949' first='Jason' last='Youmans'] was instrumental in Bamberg-Ehrhardt's state championship run as he caught 41 passes for 1,008 yards and 10 touchdowns. Defensively, Youmans was also a force with 54 tackles, three interceptions, six pass breakups, three tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles.    Cheraw's [player_tooltip player_id='1271257' first='Nick' last='Gordon'] showcased his versatility throughout his junior season, accounting for 1,337 all-purpose yards while catching 49 passes for 715 yards and 11 scores. He registered 39 tackles and four interceptions on defense, returning two of his picks for touchdowns.    [player_tooltip player_id='1422623' first='DQ' last='Green'] led the Lamar defense on its road to the state title game with 75 tackles, five interceptions, and two fumble recoveries from his linebacker position. Offensively, Green contributed 358 yards receiving and a receiving touchdown while chipping in two rushing touchdowns as well.    Ridge Spring-Monetta's [player_tooltip player_id='1604020' first='Jaiden' last='Holloway'] can be everywhere for the Trojans. Holloway has lined up at wide receiver, defensive back, quarterback, and running back and could see time at all four spots again next season. Holloway caught and ran for scores last year while also intercepting five passes.    [player_tooltip player_id='1811021' first='Dutch' last='Stafford'] will be a welcome return for Andrews. One of the Yellow Jackets' most talented players, Stafford only saw action in three games last year due to injury. Stafford will likely see time at various spots in the secondary and will likely be utilized plenty on offense as well.    [player_tooltip player_id='1821843' first='Judah' last='Lee'] brings track speed to the perimeter for Green Sea Floyds. Lee, who will see time at wide receiver and safety, is an undersized athlete who will be counted on to help the Trojans climb the ranks of Region X-1A.     Will Abbeville Be Back?   One of the state's most dominant and consistent programs spent more time in the offseason than it had in over a decade.    Abbeville suffered its earliest playoff loss in 11 years, falling 29-28 at home to Lewisville in the second round of the playoffs last season. The 13-time state champions were unable to repeat as Class A champs, but the Panthers are likely to be in the mix once again in 2026.   Ninety Six will join Calhoun Falls, Dixie, McCormick, Thornwell, and Ware Shoals in trying to stop Abbeville's region-championship machine. The Panthers have celebrated 10 consecutive region titles and have won 50 straight games in conference play.   Jamie Nickles will have plenty of talent once again in 2026 as the Panthers return two all-state performers in linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1816946' first='Collins' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1816952' first='Zacharias' last='Jordan'] at tight end. [player_tooltip player_id='1818281' first='Jamearion' last='Williams'] should see an increased workload at running back, while [player_tooltip player_id='1816143' first='Jo'Vareon' last='Dixon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823424' first='Jamiere' last='Killingsworth'] will be critical pieces on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1822464' first='Carson' last='Harrison'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1825145' first='Jahari' last='Thomas'] provide size up front   Don't be surprised if the Panthers make a run at their 14th title next December.    Where Are Tomorrow's Stars?   Class A is littered with talented underclassmen and several young players could become high-profile names over the course of the 2026 season.   Chesterfield's [player_tooltip player_id='1606964' first='Greg' last='Rushing'] was a workhorse for the Rams last year, carrying the ball 165 times for 720 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman. Rushing also caught 18 passes and scored two touchdowns through the air while also making 17 tackles from his linebacker position.    [player_tooltip player_id='1824687' first='Wallace' last='Herring'] is another young Ram linebacker to watch. Herring recorded 28 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks as a freshman, while also catching 13 passes as a wide receiver.    [player_tooltip player_id='1522453' first='Kaylin' last='Culp'] was a standout defensive player last season for Fairfield Central with 76 tackles, five interceptions, three tackles for loss, two pass breakup, and two defensive touchdowns. Culp should be even more productive as a sophomore after a year of experience and an offseason in the weight room.    Hampton County's [player_tooltip player_id='1821932' first='Kaveon' last='Tyler'] has shown himself to be a physical presence at linebacker and will likely be a defensive leader for the Hurricanes as a sophomore. Tyler helped the Hurricanes make a deep playoff run in Class 2A last fall and could be used at both linebacker and fullback this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1827516' first='Jaylen' last='Davis'] is another impressive young linebacker who finished fourth in tackles for Central as a freshman. With the Eagles' top three tacklers all graduation, more will be expected from Davis, who can play middle or outside linebacker as well as rush off the edge.    [player_tooltip player_id='1816245' first='Kendrick' last='Patterson'] is an explosive open-field weapon for Great Falls. A threat on the ground who scored multiple rushing touchdowns as a freshman, Patterson also saw time at quarterback and should pose quite a problem for Region III-1A defenses this fall.    Bethune-Bowman's [player_tooltip player_id='2106793' first='Jordan' last='Mack'] made an immediate impact at cornerback last season with multiple interceptions in the opening month of the season. In a very challenging region, the Mohawks will need Mack to have an even greater impact as a sophomore.

As the offseason rolls into February, questions abound in Class A.