1A, 2A, 3A breakdowns

[AHS14]

Getting 3 games done in day at WB is already a problem, I can't imagine how they could to 5.

If Benedict is that bad I think that several local 5A stadiums have sufficient seating and parking to host the 1A and 2A games.

The way other states do it, you don't play all the games on one day. You might play one or two on Thursday, two on Friday, two or three on Saturday, etc. Since South Carolina only has 5 classifications I think they could make this work. I really like how the state of Alabama does it. They alternate between Bryant-Denny Stadium (Alabama) and Jordan O'Hare Stadium (Auburn) every year, and play games on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Alabama goes up to 7A and has done it this way for many years now. The obvious choice for South Carolina if they used a similar format would be Clemson and South Carolina, but I'm sure you could throw some other facilities into the mix, such as the stadiums of Furman, Wofford, Coastal, etc. Like you mentioned, some of the 5A stadiums could even handle the job.

[Deputy]

They need to keep it in Columbia. Clemson is a long ride for a lot of teams. Even longer for some upstate teams than Columbia. Of course, the same would be true for upstate teams if let's say they decided to use the stadium at Coastal Carolina. Obviously some lower state teams would be faced with a 4-5 hour bus ride. Everybody in the state can get to Columbia within two hours. Makes it fair for everyone. And takes the long bus ride, or staying in a hotel if they can afford it, out of play.

[DabnusBrickey]

Getting 3 games done in day at WB is already a problem, I can't imagine how they could do 5.

If Benedict is that bad I think that several local 5A stadiums have sufficient seating and parking to host the 1A and 2A games.

I think a lot of the 5A stadiums are probably nicer than Benedict.

[Deputy]

Not sure what the attendance requirements are for the smaller classification games, bit one would think that a River Bluff, Irmo, Dutch Fork, would be more than adequate.

[Tjamal9106]

All 5 use to be in one spot until they started splitting classes. They would play what once was 4-A.A. divisionIi on a Friday night and the other 4 on Saturday.

[STrebels72]

Let me take a stab at it....

1A - Honestly, since the last realignment 1A is a total crapshoot in just about every sport. There just aren't many schools in 1A now. If you look at the brackets for the sports last season it's ridiculous how many teams get byes during the playoffs simply because of a lack of teams. Not to mention overall the league just isn't very competitive, at least IMO. With that said, I will give lower state the edge this year - Lake View is always pretty strong and Green Sea Floyds will probably make another run at it as well. On the upper state side of things, Dixie (who played Lamar in the upperstate title game last year) lost a lot of talent and didn't look really great against Calhoun Falls in the Abbeville Jamboree. McCormick however looked pretty decent in tying Ninety Six 6-6. They have some athletes and are my favorite to win that region. Then of course there is always Lamar, but they are breaking in a new coach this year so there might be some adjustments. I'll take Lake View or Green Sea Floyds for the title.

2A - To be the man, you gotta beat the man, and that man in 2A is Abbeville. The last few years - quite honestly the last decade - have been amazing for Panther fans. In the 2010s, they've have been to state championship game every year except for '13 and '14 and the only loss in the state title game during this span was in 2012. Coach NIckles and his staff get the absolute most of their players every year and this team will push strongly for that 5th title in a row. The Panthers will lose a lot of talent after this season and will likely take a step back in 2020 but the future does look bright as a lot of young talent is in the pipeline. As for challengers to Abbeville, Southside Christian gave Abbeville two good games last season and they return the QB and the star RB but the game is in Abbeville this year, where Abbeville hasn't lost a game since 2014. Saluda is also a strong team in the same region as Abbeville and returns a veteran senior QB in Noah Bell, but the Tigers will need to capitalize on opportunities more to win more games, something they didn't do in 2018. In the lower state Barnwell returns the QB who put up gaudy numbers last year and Timberland is also looking to be pretty strong as well. Bamberg-Erhardt had a strong season last year and is in year 2 of their coach so I look for them to contend as well. Carvers Bay has a new coach and it looks to be a rebuilding year there as well. I say, Abbeville vs. either Timberland or Barnwell for the title.

3A - This is where I'm not quite as knowledgeable, but I'll do my best. Chester pretty much came out of nowhere in 2018 to run the table and beat Dillon for the title. The Cyclones did catch some breaks as 6 of their games were decided by 10 pts or less. Chapman has been a strong contender as well lately and I don't see that changing. Woodruff also has the potential to be a possible contender in the upper state but they have struggled in the post season the past few years. I wouldn't be surprised to see another lesser known team rise this year in AAA just like Chester did last season. I am really interested to see how former Lamar Head Coach Corey Fountain does in his first year at Clinton, a perennial power that has struggled a lot this decade. In the lower state I don't see anyone challenging Dillon but Wade Hampton did give them a good game last year in the lower state title game. My prediction, for now - Chapman vs. Dillon.

An aside from the above analysis, I really wish the SCHSL would stop treating 1A and 2A like second class citizens. We have to had to endure some really bad field conditions at Benedict the past few years, not to mention a host of other logistical issues the stadium has (poor parking, restrooms, concessions always run out). But I've also heard there's been some issues with the other games at Williams Brice as well. This is something the league definitely needs to address - I would like for all classifications to play at the same stadium.

Thank you for a breakdown of 1A-3A football. The only thing I will add to this is in 3A lower state. Strom Thurmond returns a very explosive team with all of their playmakers returning. Entire backfield, WR’s, and very big sure handed tightened from a 9-3 team. The defense returns 7 starters as well. Last years team was young and overachievers, but this years team has that confidence and a chip on its shoulders.

We scrimmage Abbeville on Friday and that scrimmage will help us in many ways.

In the S.C. Prep Media preseason poll, the defending champion Chester Cyclones start the year at the top.
1. Chester (8)
2. Dillon (3)
3. Chapman (1)
4. Union County
5. Strom Thurmond
6. May River
7. Fairfield Central
8. Wade Hampton (H)
9. Camden
10. Woodruff

[SF Band dad]

Not sure what the attendance requirements are for the smaller classification games, bit one would think that a River Bluff, Irmo, Dutch Fork, would be more than adequate.

I think Spring Valley or Blythewood would be probably be the best candidates but Dutch Fork and River Bluff could work as well.

[Deputy]

True. A lot of those schools on the North/West side of Columbia have excellent facilities that could be used.
Regardless, there seems to be a common cry from most fan bases to get the games out of Benedict.

[Newcatntown]

Must be some ties to Benedict with SCHSL. But Jerome went to Newberry!!

[Deputy]

Think the Columbia location is the key. As far as Newberry, doubt it would go over well having it there even if Jerome wanted to. Most high schools 3A, or above, have nicer stadiums than Newberry,