News Summary
The high school football season kicks off in South Carolina’s Upstate, featuring thrilling matchups among local teams. Byrnes High School is set to debut Nixon Field, while Spartanburg High School faces defending champions Dutch Fork. New coaching changes at various schools bring fresh strategies, and the community rallies behind their teams. With promising talents and exciting games ahead, the season is anticipated to foster strong community spirit and fan engagement.
Greenville: Excitement Builds as High School Football Season Kicks Off in South Carolina’s Upstate
The anticipation is palpable as high school football season rolls around once again in South Carolina’s Upstate. A thrilling lineup of early season matchups is set to spotlight the incredible talent and dedication of local high schools, with fans ready to rally behind their favorite teams.
Byrnes High School: A New Field and New Goals
This season, Byrnes High School’s football team is ready to make a splash as they debut the brand-new Nixon Field during their season opener. After spending the entire 2024 season on the road due to construction, playing in their home stadium once again feels like a fresh start. Last year, Byrnes faced some challenges, finishing with a record of 5-6 overall and 4-2 in Region 2-AAAAA. However, their season had a significant turnaround. They experienced close battles, losing four of their first five games by narrow margins of just eight points or fewer.
As they prepare for their opener, it’s worth noting that Byrnes squared off against T.L. Hanna last season in a nail-biting match that ended with a 19-16 loss. T.L. Hanna had quite the season, finishing 9-3 and reaching the Upper State semifinals in Class AAAAA Division 2. Their impressive track record—making it through with just three losses since 2016—adds an exciting layer to Byrnes’ upcoming challenges.
Looking ahead, Byrnes’ early schedule includes tough competition against Westside (2024 record of 13-1) and Wren (record of 8-3), making for an electrifying start to the season.
Spartanburg High School: Facing the Giants
Meanwhile, Spartanburg High School has its eyes set on a high-stakes game as they host the three-time defending Class AAAAA Division 1 state champion Dutch Fork. Dutch Fork has dominated the state football scene, claiming victory in eight of the last nine state titles and boasting an undefeated record of 13-0 last season, where only one opponent managed to come within 27 points of them.
Spartanburg’s recent performance shows promise; they finished last season with a commendable record of 9-3 and a strong 5-1 in Region 2-AAAAA—their best season since 2016. A close contest against Dutch Fork would signal significant progress for the team, while an upset could add a remarkable entry in the school’s sports history.
Leading Changes: New Coaches and Fresh Strategies
Change is also in the air for the Daniel team, where Jeff Fruster has stepped down after an impressive tenure that included an 11-2 record and three state championships in just four years. Taking the helm is Chris Stone, who has previously contributed as an assistant coach at Mauldin and Easley. His experience is sure to bring fresh strategies as they gear up to face Class AAAAA’s Stratford in an essential game to gauge their abilities against higher competition.
Also stepping into new shoes is Donnie Littlejohn, who has taken over as the head coach of Gaffney following the legendary Dan Jones’ impressive 15-year run. Last year, Gaffney played superbly, finishing 10-2 under quarterback Jayvon Gilmore, who is now committed to play at Arkansas.
Quick Highlights from Other Teams
In addition to these notable changes, Boiling Springs celebrated a fantastic 7-4 record last season, marking their best performance since 2016, notably after a remarkable playoff victory against Dorman, winning 32-0.
On the other hand, J.L. Mann is navigating through a challenging transition after Steve “Scoot” Watson left to coach Greenville. With new leadership under Bryce Smiley, who has a robust background as a defensive coordinator at Gaffney, the team aims to recover from a rough 2024 season, finishing with a 2-9 record after their best back-to-back seasons previously.
Community Spirit Shines Bright
As teams prepare for what promises to be an action-packed high school football season, the Upstate community stands behind its athletes, eager to show support from the sidelines. Each game not only brings competition but also a sense of togetherness and pride among families and fans alike.
So, whether you’re a die-hard fan or just getting into the spirit, there’s no denying the excitement that high school football in South Carolina’s Upstate brings to the community. Let the games begin!
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Additional Resources
- Greenville Online: Best Matchups 2025
- Google Search: Byrnes High School Football
- WYFF4: Live Scores November 22
- Wikipedia: South Carolina high school football
- WYFF4: Playoff Live Scores November 29
- Google News: South Carolina High School Football
- Greenville Online: Players to Watch 2024 Playoffs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football
- Greenville Online: Playoff Predictions Semifinals 2024
- Google Scholar: South Carolina High School Football