The high school football regular season has come and passed, and 12 local teams are gearing up for a run in the postseason. 

After last week’s group of final games, teams cemented their spot in the brackets and will spend this week preparing for a do-or-die first-round matchup. 

Three teams finished high enough to earn an automatic bye in the 5A brackets. Dutch Fork, Irmo and White Knoll all finished with a strong enough record and RPI to earn a bye week, despite playing in the same conference. 

These teams won’t take the field again until next week, playing the winner of one of the first-round games. 

Three local teams failed to reach the postseason. Chapin and Airport went winless, combining for a 0-20 record. American Leadership also missed out, going winless in region play.   

Four teams will host an opening round game this week, while the other five teams hit the road. River Bluff hosts Cane Bay, Swansea welcomes Marlboro County and Batesburg-Leesville hosts Blacksburg.

Gray Collegiate will play region rival Brookland-Cayce in the only opening round game between two Lexington County schools. It will be Gray’s first playoff run in 4A after being barred from the playoffs last season. 

Lexington County is used to having teams play deep into the postseason, and it’s not all carried by Dutch Fork. 

Other teams, including Irmo, White Knoll and Gray Collegiate, have made it to championship games recently.   

The Silver Foxes have lived in championship games for the past decade. Dutch Fork begins the playoffs seeking its ninth state title in the past 10 years, while head coach Tom Knotts is aiming for his 17th title across North and South Carolina. 

Irmo appeared in last season’s 5A Division II championship game, losing to Northwestern on a last-second field goal. The Yellow Jackets are poised for another deep run and looking for redemption. 

White Knoll and Gray Collegiate are a few years removed from their championship game appearances, but many of the same keys to success are in place. 

The SCHSL football state championships will take place Dec. 5-6 at the South Carolina State football stadium. 

Last week’s big performances 

Hayden Myers ran for 300 yards and had four touchdowns in River Bluff’s cross-town win against Lexington. 

Jaxon Knotts was 17-of-27 for 105 yards and three total touchdowns in Dutch Fork’s win over Irmo.

K.D. Whitt made the game-saving tackle for Batesburg-Leesville in their key region win over Saluda. 

Tiyon Fanning scored two touchdowns, including a 96-yarder in White Knoll’s win over Chapin. 

Week 1 playoff schedule

Dutch Fork - BYE

River Bluff vs. Cane Bay

Lexington at Fort Dorchester

Irmo - BYE

White Knoll - BYE

Gray Collegiate vs. Brookland-Cayce

Gilbert at Bluffton

Swansea vs. Marlboro City

Batesburg-Leesville vs. Blacksburg

Pelion at Liberty

Northside Christian at Pinewood Prep

Week 10 scoreboard

Dutch Fork: 28, Irmo: 24

River Bluff: 38, Lexington: 17

White Knoll: 42, Chapin: 7

Brookland-Cayce: 20, Airport: 13

Gray Collegiate: 49, Gilbert: 0

Newberry: 43, Swansea: 0

Pelion: 50, American Leadership: 7

Batesburg-Leesville: 35, Saluda: 34

Camden Military: 56, Northside Christian: 37