By Thomas Grant Jr.
Ten Midlands high school football teams are featured in this week’s S.C. Prep Football Media Poll as the regular season enters its final week.
Both Swansea and North Central reentered their respective classifications after key wins.
Swansea climbed back into the Class 3A rankings at No. 10 after bouncing back from its first loss of the season with a 24–13 victory over Fox Creek. The Tigers travel to third-ranked Newberry on Friday for the Region 4-3A championship. A Newberry win would clinch the title, while a Swansea victory could force a three-way tie if Silver Bluff defeats Fox Creek.
In Class 2A, North Central returned to the poll at No. 9 following a 17–7 win over Andrew Jackson. The Knights are currently in a three-way tie for first in Region 4-2A and can claim the region title outright with a win Friday against Central.
One of the state’s most anticipated matchups will take place Friday at W.C. Hawkins Stadium, where Class 5A No. 1 Irmo hosts third-ranked Dutch Fork for the Region 4-5A title.
It’s the second straight year the rivals have met for the region crown. Dutch Fork has won the last seven meetings, while Irmo rides a 27-game home winning streak into the contest.
Meanwhile, Zemp Stadium will host a Class 4A Top 10 showdown Thursday between A.C. Flora and Camden. The winner clinches second place in Region 3-4A behind top-ranked South Pointe.
Also on Thursday, third-ranked Gray Collegiate hosts Gilbert in another key region battle.
S.C. Prep Football Media Poll (Released Oct. 28)
Class 5A
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Irmo (18) (9–0)
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Northwestern (1) (8–1)
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Dutch Fork (7–1)
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Greenwood (8–1)
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Summerville (7–2)
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James Island (8–1)
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Indian Land (9–0)
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TL Hanna (8–1)
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Sumter (8–1)
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Dorman (7–2)
Others receiving votes: Ridge View, Stratford, Gaffney, Carolina Forest, White Knoll, Byrnes
Class 4A
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South Pointe (18) (8–1)
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South Florence (1) (8–1)
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A.C. Flora (8–1)
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Gray Collegiate (7–2)
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Daniel (8–1)
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North Augusta (8–1)
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Hilton Head Island (8–1)
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Seneca (8–1)
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Camden (7–2)
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Wren (7–2)
Others receiving votes: Midland Valley, May River
Class 3A
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Belton-Honea Path (13) (9–0)
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Oceanside Collegiate (5) (7–2)
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Newberry (1) (9–0)
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Loris (9–0)
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Woodruff (8–1)
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Orangeburg-Wilkinson (9–0)
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Mountain View Prep (8–1)
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Dillon (6–3)
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Powdersville (7–2)
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Swansea (8–1)
Others receiving votes: Crescent, Silver Bluff
Class 2A
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Strom Thurmond (13) (8–1)
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Clinton (5) (7–3)
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Central (1) (7–1)
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Philip Simmons (7–2)
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Hampton County (6–3)
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Fairfield Central (6–3)
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Timberland (7–2)
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Batesburg-Leesville (6–3)
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North Central (7–2)
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Chester (6–4)
Others receiving votes: East Clarendon, Saluda, Andrew Jackson, Liberty, Mid-Carolina, Manning, Cheraw
Class A
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Bamberg-Ehrhardt (18) (9–0)
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Abbeville (7–2)
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Cross (8–1)
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Ware Shoals (1) (9–0)
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Carvers Bay (9–0)
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Latta (7–1)
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Lamar (7–2)
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Lewisville (6–3)
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Johnsonville (6–2)
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Hunter-Kinard-Tyler (7–2)
Others receiving votes: Scott’s Branch
Voters this week: Mac Banks, Fort Mill Prep Sports; Lou Bezjak, The State Newspaper; Jed Blackwell, SC Prep RedZone; Dennis Brunson, High School Sports Report; Cole Bryson, The Fan Upstate; Scott Chancey, Florence Morning News; Tyler Cupp, WRHI; Jordan Ferrell, Fox Sports Spartanburg; Rob Gantt/The Berkeley Independent and Summerville Journal Scene; Thomas Grant Irmo News/Cola Daily; Ian Guerin, SC Prep RedZone; Justin Jarrett, LowcoSports; Travis Jenkins, The News & Reporter; Wes Kerr, LowcoSports; James McBee, Boiling Springs Journal; David Shelton Post and Courier/High School Sports Report; Brett Shugart, Fox Sports Spartanburg; Brandon Stockdale, SC Prep RedZone; Pete Yanity, WSPA
Sidebar: Midlands Games to Watch
Friday, Oct. 31
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Dutch Fork at Irmo – Region 4-5A title showdown
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Swansea at Newberry – Region 4-3A championship
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North Central vs. Central – Region 4-2A title on the line
Thursday, Oct. 30
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A.C. Flora at Camden – Battle for Region 3-4A second place
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Gilbert at Gray Collegiate – Region 5-4A showdown
