High school football rankings: Dutch Fork tops South Carolina Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

By Staff Report Aug 19, 2021, 9:30am

Silver Foxes favored to win sixth consecutive state title.

The 2021 high school football season in South Carolina kicks off next week and MaxPreps has your look at the state's top teams. After winning its fifth consecutive state title last season, Dutch Fork is back to claim the top spot in our preseason rankings.

The Silver Foxes are coming off a dominant 2020 campaign, outscoring opponents 426-94, recording three shutouts and winning every game by at least 21 points to earn a fifth consecutive state title. Under head coach Tom Knotts, Dutch Fork has compiled a 65-1-1 record during its five-year run of championship success.

Dutch Fork is led by senior wide receiver Antonio Williams, who has 25 FBS offers after catching 51 passes for 837 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior. Big things are also expected from junior running back Jarvis Green, who tallied 756 yards and 10 scores as a sophomore.

In addition to Dutch Fork, defending SCHSL state champions include A.C. Flora (Class AAAA), Daniel (AAA), Abbeville (AA) and Southside Christian (A).

See the complete list below.
Antonio Williams of Dutch Fork heads upfield during last season's state championship game.
Antonio Williams of Dutch Fork heads upfield during last season's state championship game.
Photo by Rick Sammons
South Carolina Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

1. Dutch Fork (Irmo), 10-0 record in 2020
2. Daniel (Central), 10-0
3. Fort Dorchester (North Charleston), 6-1
4. Northwestern (Rock Hill), 7-1
5. Chapman (Inman), 6-1
6. A.C. Flora (Columbia), 9-0
7. Ridge View (Columbia), 6-2
8. Dorman (Roebuck), 4-2
9. T.L. Hanna (Anderson), 8-1
10. River Bluff (Lexington), 4-2
11. Greenville, 5-1
12. Catawba Ridge (Fort Mill), 7-2
13. Byrnes (Duncan), 2-3
14. Gaffney, 6-1
15. Chapin, 6-2
16. Sumter, 8-1
17. Carolina Forest (Myrtle Beach), 7-2
18. Gilbert, 8-1
19. Westside (Anderson), 5-2
20. North Myrtle Beach (Little River), 9-1
21. South Pointe (Rock Hill), 6-3
22. Hammond (Columbia), 11-1
23. Brookland-Cayce (Cayce), 3-3
24. Hillcrest (Simpsonville), 4-2
25. Camden, 7-1