Bouncing Back? Lowcountry Squads Searching For Higher Win Totals

As spring workouts continue, teams around South Carolina are building towards the 2026 season.    While plenty of teams in the Palmetto State are looking to take another step forward and build off a solid 2025 campaign, others are trying to bounce back from a challenging year.    Here are eight teams across the Lowcountry who finished below .500 in 2026 but are in prime position to improve that mark in 2026.    ACADEMIC MAGNET RAPTORS   Academic Magnet jumped out to a 4-1 record and looked like it might record its second winning season in the past 10 years. However, as has been the case for years, region play was extremely challenging for the Raptors as they allowed 47.5 points per game in their four region losses. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1604010' first='Caleb' last='Parrish'] returning at linebacker after registering 62 tackles and 7.0 tackles for loss should help that side of the ball, as well as the emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='1818010' first='Sam' last='Peters'] after a sophomore season where he led the team with 114 stops. [player_tooltip player_id='1811126' first='Cole' last='Ivey'] is a versatile player who could see time at running back, safety, linebacker, and kick returner, while dual-threat quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1821469' first='Owen' last='George'] ran for 1,334 yards and 19 touchdowns as Academic Magnet's leading rushing threat. If the Raptors can navigate the treacherous Region V-2A waters, the Raptors could be a team to watch.     CANE BAY COBRAS   The Cobras are looking to bounce back after back-to-back 3-8 campaigns. The versatility of [player_tooltip player_id='1664566' first='Coran' last='Houpe'] will be a major factor in getting Cane Bay back to a winning season. Houpe ran for seven scores and accounted for over 800 all-purpose yards last year and should get even more touches as a senior. Defensively, the Cobras boast [player_tooltip player_id='1823810' first='Devin' last='Cobbs'] up front, a proven run-stopper who has added onto his frame in the offseason. Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1732589' first='Jamari' last='Blandin'] will anchor the back seven and kicker [player_tooltip player_id='1821199' first='Aiden' last='Thorn'] is one of the state's best. With enough veteran talent, Cane Bay is lurking as a possible spoiler in Region VI-5A.     COLLETON COUNTY COUGARS   Colleton County has new head coach Bradley Adams at the helm, looking to turn around a program that has won just five games over the past five seasons. Adams should have fun finding ways to get [player_tooltip player_id='1644939' first='Keandre' last='Allen'] involved on both sides of the ball. Don't be surprised if Allen appears at defensive back, linebacker, running back, or wide receiver. [player_tooltip player_id='1824939' first='Nick' last='Jones'] is back after missing a month of last season due to injury and is a reliable and powerful kicker. The biggest indicator of success may be the progression of [player_tooltip player_id='1692190' first='Keno' last='Nixon'] at quarterback. Nixon is an incredibly physical runner who, if he improves as a passer, will be extremely dangerous. Overall, pieces are in place for the Cougars to potentially have their best season in quite a while.    FORT DORCHESTER PATRIOTS   Fort Dorchester is in unfamiliar territory after suffering its first losing season since 2012. The Patriots have won at least one playoff game in each of the last five years and will need their premier players to show up in big moments to keep the streak alive. Defensively, the Patriots have plenty to be excited about. [player_tooltip player_id='2072414' first='Amari' last='Dawson'] tallied 30 tackles and eight pass breakups as a sophomore and will likely draw the secondary's toughest assignments this fall. [player_tooltip player_id='1818365' first='Kameron' last='Geathers'] had a huge sophomore season as well, making 44 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and seven sacks. The biggest name, however may be [player_tooltip player_id='1590515' first='Josiah' last='Singleton'] at linebacker. As a freshman, Singleton was second on the team with 73 tackles. If the Patriot offense can complement the defense, expect Fort Dorchester to bounce back in 2026.    LAKE MARION GATORS   Lake Marion finished with a 5-6 record last fall, but the Gators' progress is undeniable. Lake Marion posted a 3-1 region record, its best region showing in 12 years. The Gators have a talented young running back, as [player_tooltip player_id='2106780' first='Daylen' last='Ferguson'] rushed for over 700 yards as a freshman and was used in a variety of ways on offense. Ferguson will also benefit from running behind [player_tooltip player_id='1821426' first='Larry' last='Gore'] and the rest of the Lake Marion offensive line. Gore, a two-year starter, enters his junior season as the anchor for the Gators up front. Thanks to realignment, Lake Marion doesn't have to deal with Hampton County in region play, so don't be surprised if the Gators are competing at the top of the standings come November.     WANDO WARRIORS   Wando started 4-2 last season but finished with five straight defeats to post its sixth consecutive losing season. The Warriors will be breaking in a new starting quarterback and [player_tooltip player_id='1651108' first='Ben' last='Buffum'] will be counted on to provide protection. Buffum is a versatile lineman with great size who must perform to keep Wando's offense on schedule. Speaking of versatility, rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1467849' first='Ryan' last='Jahn'] provides pop as a rusher, receiver, and kick returner. On defense, [player_tooltip player_id='1602363' first='Ben' last='Eikenberry'] racked up 128 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and four sacks last season as a junior from his linebacker spot. Special teams is also a potential strength as [player_tooltip player_id='1819069' first='Cameron' last='Moody'] enters his sophomore season with kicking experience and a powerful leg. Add in a couple nearby transfers who are already ranked in our system and Wando's 2026 season is primed for a turnaround.    WEST ASHLEY WILDCATS   West Ashley has struggled through a four year-stretch of diminishing wins, going 2-8 last season. Fortunately for Wildcat fans, there is a lot of talent on the 2026 edition. The Wildcats return [player_tooltip player_id='2163612' first='Brandon' last='Cawley'] (pictured) after he ranked toward the top of the defense in tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks as a junior. In the secondary, [player_tooltip player_id='2163588' first='Cooper' last='Fischer'] has a year of starting experience at safety under his belt and is joined by [player_tooltip player_id='1816849' first='Brady' last='Whetzel'] in the back end. [player_tooltip player_id='2106771' first='Dre'Quan' last='Goodwine'] rushed for over 400 yards in limited action on varsity and should see way more touches this fall.    WOODLAND WOLVERINES   Woodland has also been on a slide since its 11-win season in 2022. Last fall, the Wolverines started 3-0 before limping to a 5-6 finish. The Wolverines will go as far as quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1603798' first='Jervaze' last='Salley'] is able to take them on offense. Defensively, Woodland boasts one of the state's best cornerback tandems. Rising seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1664573' first='George' last='Perry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1869156' first='Javion' last='Hall'] will make throwing the ball difficult for all the Wolverines' opponents. Perry may be one of the better cover corners in the Palmetto State, while Hall has the physical skills to be a problem against any receiver he matches up with.

As spring workouts continue, teams around South Carolina are building towards the 2026 season.