South Carolina High School Football Championships Recap 2024

News Summary

The 2024 South Carolina High School League Football State Championships concluded this weekend in Orangeburg, featuring thrilling matchups across various classes. From the dominant performances of Clinton and Abbeville to nail-biting finishes for South Florence and Northwestern, the championships showcased exceptional talent and teamwork. Standout player performances and the announcement of the All-State teams capped off an unforgettable weekend of high school football action.

Excitement in Orangeburg: South Carolina High School League Football State Championships 2024 Wraps Up

What an exhilarating weekend it was in beautiful Orangeburg, South Carolina! The South Carolina High School League’s football state championships for 2024 took place at the renowned Oliver C. Dawson Stadium at S.C. State, showcasing some incredible talent and unforgettable moments from Thursday through Saturday. If you missed any of the action, don’t worry! We’ve got all the highlights right here!

Thursday Showdown: Class 2A and Class A Finals

On Thursday, anticipation filled the air as fans gathered to witness two high-stakes matchups.

Starting with the Class 2A Championship, the Clinton Red Devils dominated the field, overpowering the Barnwell Warhorses with a resounding score of 35-6. This victory marked Clinton’s ninth state championship and their first finals visit since 2009. Quarterback Tushawan Richardson was on fire, throwing two touchdown passes and even scoring himself with an eye-popping 78-yard run. Meanwhile, Rhett Gilliam added some sparkle to the scoreline with two touchdowns and a two-point conversion.

Next up, the Class A Championship saw Abbeville flex their muscles against Cross, with a staggering finish of 58-20. This win is significant as it’s Abbeville’s 14th state championship, solidifying their prowess in high school football, with seven titles won since just 2015. South Carolina recruit Demarcus Leach was a standout performer, showcasing his skills with multiple touchdowns and brilliant defensive plays.

Friday Night Lights: Class 5A Division I and Class 4A

Friday night continued to bring the heat with exhilarating matchups. In the Class 5A Division I Championship, the Dutch Fork Silver Falcons soared over Summerville with a final score of 35-21. This title is Dutch Fork’s ninth overall, and their head coach, Tom Knotts, celebrated his 17th state title, cementing his legacy. Running back Maurice Anderson had an electrifying performance, running for three touchdowns and racking up 146 rushing yards on just 16 carries.

The Class 4A Championship proved to be an absolute nail-biter, as South Florence narrowly edged out Westside with a score of 42-41. Last year’s loss still fresh in their minds, South Florence fought hard, with quarterback Messiah Jackson throwing a pivotal fourth-down touchdown pass to Jayden Sellers and sealing the win with a rushing touchdown.

Saturday’s Thrills: Class 3A and Class 5A Division II

Saturday brought the grand finale with two more exciting contests. The Class 3A Championship saw Oceanside Collegiate secure their title, taking down Belton-Honea Path with a score of 35-17. They’re aiming to build on their success with a second consecutive title. For Belton-Honea Path, running back Marquise Henderson showcased his blue-chip talent, having scored an impressive 25 touchdowns throughout the season.

Lastly, the Class 5A Division II Championship saw Northwestern triumph with a close 34-31 win over Irmo, marking their fifth win in 12 title-game appearances. Irmo’s quarterback, A.J. Brand Jr., drew attention throughout the tournament, achieving the prestigious title of Gatorade Player of the Year in South Carolina.

Standout Performances and All-State Announcement

The championship weekend was brimming with standout player performances and thrilling finishes. Finley Polk from Northwestern showed exceptional skill, completing an astonishing 70% of his passes for a whopping 3,284 yards and 42 touchdowns. Over at Irmo, A.J. Brand Jr. compiled an impressive stat line with 1,861 rushing yards, 25 rushing touchdowns, plus 2,449 passing yards and 28 passing touchdowns.

As the excitement of the championships comes to a close, the All-State teams for 2024 were also announced, celebrating the top athletes from this thrilling season. Players were recognized through nominations and votes from coaches, highlighting their achievements and contributions to high school football in South Carolina.

What an unforgettable sports weekend! Congratulations to all the players, coaches, and schools for putting on such a spectacular showcase of talent and teamwork. With excitement in the air and eyes set on next season, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for South Carolina high school football!