SCISA Prepares to Open 55th Football Season

By: Gerald Doolittle

Goose Creek, S.C. - The South Carolina Independent Schools Association is preparing to open its 55^th football season with a new two-year alignment.

Can Hammond (4A), Hilton Head Christian (3A), Bethesda Academy (2A), Patrick Henry Academy (1A) and Jefferson Davis Academy (8 Man) defend their 2023 titles? Hammond will be playing for their 8^th straight title in Class 4A.

The top five pre-season ranking for Class 4A: 

   1. Hammond

  2. Laurence Manning

  3. Porter-Gaud

  4. Northwood Academy

  5. Cardinal Newman.

Laurence Manning was runners-up to Hammond in 2023.  Augusta Christian, Ben Lippen and Heathwood Hall will earn a playoff spot by finishing in the top eight. 

The top five pre-season ranking for Class 3A:

  1. Hilton Head Christian,

 2. Wilson Hall,

 3. Pinewood Prep,

 4. Florence Christian and

 5. Trinity Collegiate. 

Hilton Head Christian defeated Wilson Hall for the 2023 title.  John Paul ll, Palmetto Christian and Camden Military will earn a playoff spot if they finish the regular season in the top eight.

The top five pre-season ranking for Class 2A:

 1.  Bethesda Academy,

 2. Clarendon Hall Academy,

 3. St. Johns Christian,

 4. Orangeburg Prep and

 5. Pee Dee Academy.   

Bethesda Academy defeated Williamsburg Academy (now in 1A) for the 2023 title.  Greenwood Christian, Spartanburg Christian, Calhoun Academy, Dillon Christian, Thomas Sumter Academy, Hilton Head Prep and Christian Academy all will earn a playoff spot by finishing in the Class 2A top eight.

The top five pre-season ranking for Class 1A:

 1. Williamsburg Academy

 2. Patrick Henry Academy

 3. Lee Academy

 4. Dorchester Academy

 5. Thomas Heyward Academy

Patrick Henry Academy defeated Lee Academy for the 2023 title.  Colleton Prep, Beaufort Academy, Faith Christian, Andrew Jackson Academy, and Carolina Academy can get playoff spots by finishing in the top eight.

The top five pre-season ranking for Eight Man are:

 1. Jefferson Davis Academy

 2. Holly Hill Academy

 3. Richard Winn Academy

 4. Wardlaw Academy

 5. Laurens Academy

W.W. King Academy, Newberry Academy and Oakbrook Prep can earn playoff spots by finishing in the top four of Region One.

Cathedral Academy, Cross Schools and Conway Christian can earn playoff spots by finishing in the top four of Region Two.

The Kings Academy is a new comer Region Two moving to 8-man play this season.