2026 Spring Games That Should Be On Your Radar

The prevalence of spring games in South Carolina has change drastically over the last decade.   In an era where schools have added football class, can operate after school in March, use the summer for near-daily weights and 7-on-7s and everything else associated with a 365 sport, many coaches around the state have abandoned some of the prior practices during the May window.   In fact, several coaches told us in recent weeks their players won't even put on full pads this month.    Yet, some of the most successful and notable programs are sticking with what's worked for them. Here, we're previewing nine different Spring games that are grabbing our attention and why they should be on your radar, too.   WEDNESDAY   North Augusta Yellow Jackets    When quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1827442' first='AJ' last='Hillary'] transferred to Strom Thurmond earlier this spring, it both did and didn't change the dynamic of the Yellow Jackets' offense. On one hand, Hillary played about 50 percent of the reps last fall. On the other, [player_tooltip player_id='1819537' first='Collin' last='Tillman'] played the other half. Hillary's departure may have ultimately streamlined the scheme. Tillman and tailback [player_tooltip player_id='1827481' first='Jayden' last='Hatcher'] have a great rapport, and we expect both of them to have career years as seniors. Throw [player_tooltip player_id='1819541' first='Ky'Dre' last='Wright'] into the mix at receiver, and the chance to see those three in action in their biggest roles yet is worth the trip on Wednesday.    THURSDAY   South Florence Bruins   Scott Braswell's first May period will include the team's Spring Showcase, an extended practice with plenty of situational work. And much like North Augusta, much of the focus for the first-time head coach will center on finding a fluidity on offense. We're looking firmly at new starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1823525' first='De'Eric' last='Davis'] and tailback [player_tooltip player_id='1422638' first='Cam' last='James'] - two players who will look dramatically different from each other. Much of their rhythm will be earlier in the process, though, as center [player_tooltip player_id='1820912' first='Luke' last='Thayer'] is going to be asked to take command and, well, dominate, this fall. The Bruins will be replacing a ton on the defensive side of the ball, too, and any 1s vs 1s during the showcase should be a glimpse of the fall.   Indian Land Warriors    The Warriors weren't too terribly upset when realignment dropped them back down to Class 4A. Looking around the roster at all the athletes coach Adam Hastings has to work with was a big reason why. For our money, we want to see exactly how his linebackers all function together. Tyler Fallecker and [player_tooltip player_id='1422617' first='Jackson' last='Conner'] are the experienced headliners. But [player_tooltip player_id='1823430' first='MJ' last='Conner'] (the third brother in the family to play here) has had a phenomenal offseason. He's not alone. Hasting has raved about how returning quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1467825' first='Matt' last='Kucia'] has made use of a large number of skill guys. [player_tooltip player_id='1822507' first='Kenneth' last='Wilson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822869' first='Isaiah' last='Thompson'] have made the type of progress that has their coach believing they're primed for something big.    South Pointe Stallions    All of South Pointe's size was a major talking point during last month's Carolinas Coaches Combine at Spartanburg. And on Thursday, fans and otherwise interested onlookers will have an opportunity to see it all work together. Go ahead and train your sights on the trenches. Offensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1856920' first='Tae' last='Wylie'] (2028), [player_tooltip player_id='1856918' first='Cayden' last='Cathcart'] (2028), [player_tooltip player_id='1856560' first='Bryce' last='Collins'] (2028), [player_tooltip player_id='1604450' first='Joshua' last='Norris'] (2027) will go head to head with [player_tooltip player_id='1591712' first='Seth' last='Tillman'] (2027, pictured) and [player_tooltip player_id='2106766' first='Hayzon' last='Lumpkin'] (2028). That's six ranked players in the thick of the action all from one school. Watching on they flow against each other and with their respective line mates is a huge selling point.   FRIDAY   Rock Hill Bearcats    The transfer portal and it's affect on the Rock Hill-area schools was certainly prevalent for Leon Boulware. And now the list of skill players donning Bearcat uniforms is through the roof. The placement, though, is still up in the air and will be fun to watch develop. [player_tooltip player_id='1603697' first='Zymier' last='Gordon-Miles'] [player_tooltip player_id='1036779' first='Kaiden' last='Watkins'] [player_tooltip player_id='1816894' first='Myles' last='Brooks'] [player_tooltip player_id='1809631' first='Connor' last='Clawson'] [player_tooltip player_id='1818213' first='Devan' last='Erby'] [player_tooltip player_id='1088328' first='Nigel' last='Lightner'] and of course returning quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1816896' first='Jonah' last='Young'] will all have significant roles in an offense that hasn't looked this explosive in years. If their chemistry together is on par with their individual skills, we could be in for a treat.    THURSDAY, MAY 21   Northwestern Trojans   Speaking of dudes, yeah, Page Wofford has them in droves. The two-time defending Class 5A, Division II champs are in the process of meshing returning stars - quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='232624' first='Xavier' last='Means'] and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1823343' first='Malik' last='Darby'] among them - with rising standouts [player_tooltip player_id='1301735' first='Dash' last='Holley'] (linebacker) and [player_tooltip player_id='1718680' first='Payton' last='Vining'] (receiver) and some high-profile transfers [player_tooltip player_id='1271263' first='KJ' last='Burg'] (safety) and [player_tooltip player_id='513067' first='Malik' last='Ratliff'] (receiver/defensive back) from nearby South Pointe. Having all those stars on the field at the same time is going to make 2026 super interesting, of course, but Trojan fans won't have to wait for August to start seeing how it all comes together.    Oceanside Collegiate Landsharks    Oceanside has three straight state championships, the quarterback who hoisted a trophy for each of them, one of his favorite targets back and also the addition of the state's No. 1 overall player to the roster. Indeed, rising seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian'] [player_tooltip player_id='1764392' first='Anthony' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'] are going to make some noise next week. It's in all three of their DNA, practice or not. What makes the Landsharks' spring game such a notable one, though, is what Oceanside can put up against them. Defensive backs [player_tooltip player_id='1824235' first='Michael' last='Strickler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1155334' first='Damonte' last='Green'] are fueled by competition. If those two hold their own against the passing attack, Landshark fans can go ahead and start foaming at the mouth for 2026.    THURSDAY, MAY 28   Myrtle Beach Seahawks   Another noticeable pitch-and-catch development we'll be tracking all summer and into preseason camp will be that of the Seahawks. Incoming starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1672909' first='Camden' last='DeBruhl'] and returning receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1664545' first='JJ' last='Brown'] are both expected to have career seasons in the fall. Here's why: The offense has somewhat sputtered for a variety of reasons (including injuries) but is as centralized on the passing game as anyone. Those two players could inject a big ol' shot of adrenaline into the program that is concurrently being asked to replace it's top two ball carriers. What we expect is that players like [player_tooltip player_id='1603757' first='Amare' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1580630' first='Billy' last='Miller'] will see bigger roles in the other receiver spots, with [player_tooltip player_id='1615100' first='Makhi' last='Shaw'] mixing in all over the place.    FRIDAY, MAY 29   Bamberg-Ehrhardt Red Raiders    It would be difficult to say that any one program is the favorite in a revamped Class A that's now 10 regions deep. But it would also be difficult to say Bamberg-Ehrhardt isn't at or near the top of the list, too. How will they respond to last fall's success? The Red Raiders' spring game at the end of the month might answer that question. We want to see if quarterback/defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1822457' first='Brian' last='McMillan'] is the same even-keeled signal caller and defensive monster he was in 2025. We want to see if production freaks [player_tooltip player_id='1214316' first='Ant' last='Williams'] [player_tooltip player_id='1819949' first='Jason' last='Youmans'] [player_tooltip player_id='1217173' first='Rakeem' last='Walker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1036756' first='Jordan' last='Bovain'] are still amped up when they're on the field - since five of them are slated to basically never come off the field this fall. We're not expecting coach Corey Crosby to max them out during a spring game, necessarily, but the excitement they bring can't be denied.

The prevalence of spring games in South Carolina has change drastically over the last decade.