Biggest Offseason Storylines In SCISA

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's mid-February and SCISA teams across the state are reloading and reacting to what happened at the end of November to try and keep up with the elite. We crowned five state champions last season – Northwood Academy (Class 4A), Pinewood Prep (Class 3A), Bethesda Academy (Class 2A), Williamsburg Academy (Class A) and W.W. King (8-Man).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Where does that leave us as we steamroll to the 2026 season? We're going to break down each classification and tell you about the teams and players you need to know. Things are subject to change due to transfers and other unknown circumstances, but this is the best as we know it for now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Who will challenge Northwood in class 4A?</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was a new kid on the block for the first time in nine years when Northwood Academy knocked off Heathwood Hall in the state title game. Hammond had won the previous eight state titles but fell short in trying to defend that crown this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chargers are the newcomers but don't expect them to go away any time soon. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='640683' first='Kevin' last='Johnson']</strong> returns and that's a great place to start. He will have receivers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2048043' first='Drew' last='Wolfe']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824617' first='Jacair' last='Medlock']</strong> to throw to as well. Defensively, Northwood loses its top eight tacklers from a season ago, but they have a budding star in freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825598' first='Nate' last='Cross']</strong>, a defensive end. Another young player to watch is defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825599' first='Ethan' last='Hogan']</strong>, another Class of 2029 player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heathwood Hall played for the title for the first time since 2009. They will look for athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1720918' first='Keon' last='Mckinley']</strong> and linebacker/running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672907' first='Heyward' last='Belser']</strong> to get them back to the promised land. Hammond struggled offensively last season, but the defense was as good as ever. Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603691' first='Jackson' last='Ross']</strong> and defensive linemen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763831' first='John' last='Stokes']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1550897' first='Hugh' last='Manning']</strong> return and that will be solid pieces to build around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pinewood Prep won the Class 3A title last season but will be competing in 4A this year. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2045815' first='Silas' last='Brawner']</strong> will return after throwing for 3,414 yards and 45 touchdowns last season. WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='896094' first='Lavoris' last='Lucas']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821619' first='Heyward' last='Moore']</strong> return as his top targets. Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2106791' first='Nathan' last='Good']</strong> is a 2029 prospect to keep your eye on as well. And <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824319' first='Jacob' last='Sweet']</strong> is a monster on the defensive line that should see his stock rise tremendously. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams looking to make noise are going to include Porter-Gaud, Ben Lippen, Laurence Manning, Augusta Christian and John Paul II. John Paul II is also making the move up from Class 3A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cyclones have athletes <strong>Amir Chislom</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823302' first='Allen' last='Chisolm']</strong> returning that will be a handful for anyone on the roster. Ben Lippen has its top three running backs returning in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821935' first='Michael' last='Traynum']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1817082' first='Zion' last='Gaddist']</strong> and <strong>Jonathan Eckert</strong>. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823212' first='Grainger' last='Powell']</strong> will look to improve Laurence Manning on the six-win season last year. Freshman RB/LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1584084' first='Jadon' last='Inabinett'] </strong>was just shy of 1,000 yards last season for John Paul II. Another prospect to keep an eye on is athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824219' first='Alan' last='Wolf'],</strong> who ran for 805 yards, threw for 840 yards and had 15 tackles and an interception on defense. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>What happens in Class 3A with Pinewood Prep moving up?</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers defeated Wilson Hall in the championship, but we could see this race being wide open this coming fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Barons should again be stout on defense thanks to the return of <strong>Peyton Gilley</strong> and <strong>Nehemiah Dinkins</strong>, both linebackers. Three of the top four rushers are gone so that should open the door for sophomore <strong>Cameron Wilsey</strong> (485 yards and seven touchdowns) to take over as the top threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hilton Head Christian might be a team ready to challenge this coming season. The Eagles finished last season at 6-6 with a loss to Wilson Hall in the semifinals but they're loaded on the defensive side of the ball. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822735' first='Caleb' last='Altizer']</strong> is a two-way player on the offensive and defensive line, and he will have help up front from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820220' first='Hayne' last='Burden']</strong> (pictured), another talented sophomore that might raise his game to another level in 2026. Add in linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820221' first='Chase' last='White']</strong> and defensive back <strong>Keyvon Allen</strong>, both sophomores, and you see why they're poised for the next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trinity Collegiate was young a season ago and likely will have athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1856861' first='Garrison' last='Copeland']</strong> slide into the quarterback role after being the leading receiver last season. Running backs <strong>Robert Mack</strong> and <strong>Andrew Jackson</strong> return but a name to watch is athlete <strong>Dre'de Bethea</strong>, a 2030 prospect that saw action last season as an eight-grader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Florence Christian went 8-3 last season and will count on a trio of two-way players in RB/LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821452' first='Andrew' last='Miller']</strong> LB/TE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1127312' first='Hayden' last='Schwab']</strong> and DB/WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824947' first='Sawyer' last='Godbold']</strong> to get them past the first round of the playoffs. Thomas Sumter has QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821243' first='Jace' last='Williams']</strong> (2,481 passing yards and 20 touchdowns) back in the fold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>What happens in Class 2A with the realignment forcing change?</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right now, Williamsburg Academy, who won Class A last season, might be the team to beat. Bethesda Academy out of Savannah, Georgia might be in Class A or might even compete in Class 3A in football. That is still being worked out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But the Stallions are a solid place to start in looking for a favorite after moving up. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824329' first='Grant' last='Small']</strong> ran for 2,080 yards and 27 touchdowns and that was no fluke. Junior DB/WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821625' first='Charlie' last='Caulder']</strong> returns as does sophomore defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821630' first='Gamble' last='Wilson']</strong> (six interceptions). Junior offensive tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821624' first='Marlin' last='Morris']</strong> leads a talented group upfront. Junior linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824330' first='Michael' last='Ard']</strong> collected 141 tackles a year ago.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pee Dee Academy lost in the finals last season. RB/LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821640' first='Judson' last='Martin']</strong> will be a key piece in 2026 along with athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821644' first='Miles' last='Wiggins']</strong>, a two-way standout that might slide into the quarterback role full-time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colleton Prep is making the move up from Class A as well after losing to Williamsburg Academy in the finals. They should be right back in the mix as well with QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823256' first='Cale' last='Owens']</strong> returning. Owens threw for 2,116 yards and rushed for another 1,253 yards and accounted for 40 total touchdowns. Junior WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816158' first='Thomas' last='Corbett']</strong> caught 10 TD passes. Calhoun Academy was upset in the first round after winning eight games in the regular season. Junior athlete <strong>Joseph Lyons</strong> and <strong>Colt Layton </strong>(1,386 rushing yards, 784 passing yards and 30 totals TDs) will be key to the Cavaliers success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenwood Christian lost in the semifinals last season and return freshman RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825343' first='Leighton' last='Davis']</strong>, who ran for 814 yards last season. QB <strong>Leeland Reed</strong> returns as does WR/DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818262' first='Reese' last='Harper']</strong>. That is a solid nucleus to build around. Orangeburg Prep won seven games and will be strong defensively with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824627' first='Mac' last='Strickland']</strong>, an offensive and defensive line standout, LB <strong>Blake Inabinet</strong> and DB <strong>Marshall Livington</strong> all returning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Who is the favorite in Class A now?</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the realignment and depending on where Bethesda Academy ends up, we expect Class A to be wide open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dorchester Academy went 9-2 and lost to Colleton Prep in the playoffs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824337' first='Will' last='Quattlebaum'] </strong>is a two-way player on the offensive line and defensive front that will be a building block. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821638' first='Warren' last='Judy']</strong> scored nine total touchdowns and helped anchor the defensive front from his nose guard position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beaufort Academy has another two-player performer in <strong>Nic Shuford</strong> as well as sophomore defensive back <strong>Keeler Dineen</strong> back to lead their effort. Patrick Henry struggled to a 2-9 record, but junior RB/LB <strong>Luke Sobey</strong> and freshman RB/LB <strong>Kai Sobey</strong> could be fun to watch in the fall. Dillon Christian sophomore QB/DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825112' first='Jordan' last='Blackmon']</strong> could lead the Warriors to better than a 3-7 record they recorded last season. Clarendon Hall will count on sophomore OL/DL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822017' first='Wyatt' last='Simpson']</strong> to lead them after a winless campaign in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holly Hill Academy played 8-man football but is making the step up to 11-man this season. In the Raiders run-based attack, it doesn't get better than quarterback <strong>Parker Kizer</strong>, junior. He ran for 3,145 yards and 48 touchdowns. It's going to be interesting to see how that translates to the Class A level this coming season. LB <strong>Tyler Green</strong> also returns after recording 112 tackles and 22 tackles for loss.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->