Way Too Early? Non-Region Games We Can't Wait To See

The South Carolina High School League's realignment process does strange things to football schedules every two years.   Once classifications and regions are announced, it's often a mad scramble to get those schedules filled and get two-year contracts solidified. Some years, it's fairly straightforward. Then there are years like 2026 is shaping up to be.   Wholesale changes across the board, including a massive numbers jump in Class A and a shrink in 5A have led to some wild matchups, particularly in the non-region portion of the schedule. Some are schools who are kind of out-of-place in their regions chasing gate money with traditional rivals. Some are marquee matchups that need to be maintained. Some are just flat-out good games that make sense.   Some are all of those things. And some are brand new.   Here's a look at 10 of the most intriguing non-region matchup on schedules that have already been finalized. There will be much, much more to come.   AUGUST 21   Oceanside Collegiate at James Island   How's that for a Week 1 matchup? The three-time defending state champion Landsharks are loaded again, with [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian'] back at QB, his second-leading receiver back in Williams, and the electric [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'] transferring in from Summerville. The Trojans made a deep postseason run of their own, and they've got a ton of talent back as well. Junior receiver [player_tooltip player_id='874321' first='Raphael' last='Puiu'] is a game-breaker, with [player_tooltip player_id='1664605' first='Sam' last='Crumpton'] back as a nice complement. [player_tooltip player_id='1274260' first='Bryson' last='Bowers'] is a defensive monster, and [player_tooltip player_id='1036776' first='Israel' last='Harris'] will help pave the way up front.   AUGUST 28   Strom Thurmond at Abbeville   The team that's synonymous with small-school success hosts the reigning 2A champions in what's sure to be a war. [player_tooltip player_id='1818416' first='Zy' last='Rouse'] does a little of everything for the Rebels, and will take on an even bigger role this year. Wytravious Duggar is a defensive monster, and [player_tooltip player_id='1615095' first='Kaden' last='Wigfall'] returns for his junior year as Strom Thurmond's second-leading rusher. The Panthers are no strangers to a brutal non-region schedule, and they should be battle-tested. All-State players [player_tooltip player_id='1816946' first='Collins' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1816952' first='Zacharias' last='Jordan'] are back at LB and TE, respectively, while [player_tooltip player_id='1818281' first='Jamearion' last='Williams'] will likely see a heavier load at RB. [player_tooltip player_id='1825145' first='Jahari' last='Thomas'] will continue the Abbeville tradition of massive size up front.   Fountain Inn at Woodruff   This has turned into a fun little rivalry since Fountain Inn opened. The schools aren't far apart, and the fan bases seem to have embraced the game. [player_tooltip player_id='429920' first='Sam' last='Holliday'] is a fantastic dual-threat QB, and he's joined in the backfield by [player_tooltip player_id='1603971' first='Bojack' last='Johnson'], a power guy who's got some speed and shiftiness. The Wolverines know plenty about power running - they see it every day from [player_tooltip player_id='1036753' first='Aiden' last='Gibson']. He's big, fast, strong, and almost as good a receiver out of the backfield as he is a runner. He'll make things easier for QB [player_tooltip player_id='1823657' first='Connor' last='Davis'], as will [player_tooltip player_id='1672844' first='Ian' last='Jones'], who has the potential to be an elite interior lineman.   SEPTEMBER 4   Greenwood at North Augusta   The Eagles had a special season last year, and they'll have to replace a ton of talent this season. One big name up front is [player_tooltip player_id='1818427' first='Jayden' last='Cunningham'], one of the most talented young linemen in his class. The Eagles' power game plays right into his strengths. Across the ball, the upstart Yellow Jackets will look to continue last year's success. [player_tooltip player_id='1827481' first='Jayden' last='Hatcher'] will likely elevate into the top RB spot (he had more than 800 yards and 16 touchdowns as the No. 2 guy a year ago), and [player_tooltip player_id='1827469' first='DJ' last='Johnson'] shows exceptional talent and incredible size at DB.   Powdersville at T.L. Hanna   [player_tooltip player_id='1149055' first='Nasir' last='Waldrop'] ran wild in the Patriots' ride to the 3A Upper State title game a year ago, and he's a tough runner with plenty of speed. He's back for Powdersville, along with speedster [player_tooltip player_id='1821275' first='Xavier' last='Huggins'] and the hard-hitting Jaylon McGrier. They'll get a look at the Yellow Jackets' vaunted wing-based rushing attack which seems to roll along no matter who's got the hot hand. [player_tooltip player_id='1664486' first='Jaylon' last='Watson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1664582' first='Elijah' last='Grimes'] both ran it well for Hanna a year ago, and they'll look to continue their success.   SEPTEMBER 11   Westside at Hillcrest   The Rams had a rough start last season before making a deep playoff run, and while the Rams aren't an out-of-state power, they're still a tall test. [player_tooltip player_id='1881741' first='Bear' last='Woods'] stepped right in at QB and started to shine right away for Westside, and he's back with a year of experience under his belt. [player_tooltip player_id='1664575' first='Malachi' last='Peterson'] leads the defense for Westside, while [player_tooltip player_id='779428' first='Tajeh' last='Watson-Martin'] will make an immediate impact on both sides of the ball and on special teams after transferring from Belton-Honea Path. For Hillcrest, [player_tooltip player_id='1819677' first='Gavin' last='Sullivan'] is an intriguing player in the defensive secondary, while QB [player_tooltip player_id='1604046' first='Jackson' last='Free'] (pictured) is as dangerous with his legs as with his arm, and center [player_tooltip player_id='1603877' first='Max' last='Barnes'] is on the short list of best interior linemen in the state.   Gaffney at Dorman - Up there above where we said "and some are all three"? Yeah, that's these next two matchups in a nutshell. Gaffney's reclassification to 4A has sent the Indians gate-chasing to maintain games with their closest traditional rivals. They'll play all three of Spartanburg County's four 5A teams, and this one has been a good one for years. The Indians will bring a hard-hitting defense led by [player_tooltip player_id='1036755' first='Kendaris' last='Bailey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='873100' first='Zion' last='Dawkins'], while [player_tooltip player_id='691267' first='CJ' last='Brooks'] is the latest in a line of monstrous OL for the Indians. [player_tooltip player_id='755890' first='Amire' last='White'], an Irmo transfer, has folks excited about the Gaffney ground game. Dorman made its deepest playoff run since 2019 with a trip to the Upper State final a year ago. [player_tooltip player_id='1702151' first='James' last='Porter'] and Antwone Terrance are keey returners on a stout defense for the Cavaliers, while leading rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1664350' first='Nick' last='Means'] will be back offensively.   SEPTEMEBER 18   Byrnes at Spartanburg   The Rebels are another team that had to schedule a couple of traditional rivals out of region, as they'll be grouped with a number of Greenville County schools. The Rebels are loaded, particularly on offense. [player_tooltip player_id='1036721' first='Tre' last='Segarra'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1604062' first='Jacobi' last='Fuller'] are a powerful one-two punch at RB, while [player_tooltip player_id='1271241' first='Chanin' last='Harris'] has size, speed, and a laundry list of Power 5 offers. [player_tooltip player_id='1820011' first='Josiah' last='Chambers'] leads a deep and talented offensive line. The Vikings counter with a quick, physical defense led by guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1858256' first='Skylar' last='Douglas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1663749' first='Steve' last='Grayson'], and with one of the best backs in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='1172345' first='Trenton' last='Lynch'].   Dutch Fork at Sumter   The Silver Foxes just keep reloading. [player_tooltip player_id='1823705' first='Jaxon' last='Knotts'] was a year ahead of schedule at QB last season, and all he did was guide Dutch Fork to yet another state title. He'll add another weapon in Irmo transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1422528' first='Maleek' last='Miller'], and he's got perhaps the best center in the state in front of him in [player_tooltip player_id='1151291' first='Brody' last='Lorenzo']. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='409882' first='Jaden' last='Wuerth'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1824733' first='James' last='Smith'] will help lead a new-look unit. They'll have the tall task of slowing down Sumter's battering ram of a QB in [player_tooltip player_id='1603974' first='Franklin' last='Richardson']. The Gamecocks also have an active, physical LB in [player_tooltip player_id='1664563' first='Nayshaun' last='Brown'], a guy who can give any offense a whole lot of trouble.   SEPTEMBER 25   Northwestern at South Pointe   We're tempted to just stop typing. Because really, what else do you need to say? This could be the [player_tooltip player_id='232624' first='Xavier' last='Means'] show, as the Trojans QB seems to step up when the lights are brightest. He's got [player_tooltip player_id='1718680' first='Payton' last='Vining'] back as a key deep threat, and [player_tooltip player_id='1283361' first='Jaylon' last='Richardson'] will patrol the secondary for the Trojans. South Pointe has a ton of guys back, including outstanding DE [player_tooltip player_id='1591712' first='Seth' last='Tillman']. [player_tooltip player_id='1036779' first='Kaiden' last='Watkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1603697' first='Zymier' last='Gordon-Miles'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1271263' first='KJ' last='Burg'] all add plenty of star power to this one.

The South Carolina High School League's realignment process does strange things to football schedules every two years.