Here's how SCHSL will split Class AAAAA into two divisions for state playoffs
South Carolina’s biggest classification for high school athletics will have two state champions in each sport for at least the next three years.
The S.C. High School League’s executive committee voted 12-1 on Tuesday to split Class AAAAA into Division I and Division II for the school years from 2024 through 2026. Recent realignment increased the number of Class AAAAA schools from 36 to 54.
In the new playoff system, Division I will include the 26 schools with largest enrollments. Upstate schools included are Boiling Springs, Byrnes, Dorman, J.L. Mann, Mauldin, Spartanburg and Wade Hampton.
Division II teams in the Upstate will be Easley, Eastside, Gaffney, Greenville, Hillcrest, T.L. Hanna, Riverside and Woodmont.
Regions will remain the same. Region 1-AAAAA is Easley, Greenville, Greenwood, Hillcrest, Mann, Mauldin T.L. Hanna and Woodmont. Region 2-AAAAA is Boiling Springs, Byrnes, Dorman, Eastside, Gaffney, Riverside, Spartanburg, and Wade Hampton.
J.L. Mann made it to the Upper State football championship game last season, while Gaffney and Hillcrest both made the semifinals.
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Other schools in Division I for at least the next three years – until it comes up for a vote again – are Ashley Ridge, Blythewood, Cane Bay, Carolina Forest, Clover, Dutch Fork, Fort Dorchester, James Island, Lexington, Ridge View, River Bluff, Rock Hill, Spring Valley, Stratford, Sumter, Stall, Summerville, Wando and West Ashley.
Region 8 will have all Division I schools: Ashley Ridge, Fort Dorchester, James Island, Stall, Summerville and West Ashley.
Other Division II schools are Lucy Beckham, Berkeley, Catawba Ridge, Chapin, Conway, Fort Mill, Goose Creek, Indian Land. Irmo, Lugoff-Elgin, Myrtle Beach, Nation Ford, North Myrtle Beach, Northwestern, St. James, Socastee, West Florence, Westwood and White Knoll.
South Carolina split its largest classification in football only from 1981-2016, creating Big 16 champions and Division II champions.
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: SCHSL athletics: How Class AAAAA will be split for playoffs
