Oceanside Collegiate and Northwestern Win State Championships

News Summary

The 2024 South Carolina High School Football Championships took place at S.C. State’s Oliver C. Dawson Stadium this past weekend. Oceanside Collegiate triumphed over Belton-Honea Path, winning Class 3A with a score of 35-17. Meanwhile, Northwestern celebrated an undefeated season by beating Irmo 34-31 to secure their sixth state championship. The event highlighted standout players and emotional moments, ironclad performances, and a vibrant community spirit that continues to thrive in high school football.

Oceanside Collegiate and Northwestern Bag State Championships!

This past weekend in Orangeburg, excitement was in the air as the 2024 South Carolina High School Football Championships unfolded at S.C. State’s Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. Fans filled the stands, eager to cheer on their teams in an electrifying showdown that showcased the best high school football talent in the state.

Thrilling Results from Saturday’s Games

On Saturday, the grand finale took place with two heart-stopping games that determined the champions in their respective classes. In Class 3A, Oceanside Collegiate took home the shiny trophy after defeating Belton-Honea Path with a convincing score of 35-17. It was a game full of intense moments, and Oceanside proved their mettle on the field.

The nail-biter didn’t stop there! In the Class 5A Division II showdown, Northwestern secured their victory with a final score of 34-31 against Irmo. This win marked a significant milestone for Northwestern, as they celebrated their sixth state championship and completed an undefeated season. What an accomplishment!

A Recap of the Championship Week

The excitement began on Thursday with Class 2A and Class A games. Clinton cruised past Barnwell with an impressive 35-6 victory, while Abbeville overwhelmingly dominated Cross with a score of 58-20. The thrilling football week continued on Friday with more heart-stopping matches, including Dutch Fork’s 35-21 win over Summerville and South Florence narrowly edging out Westside 42-41.

Standout Players of the Season

As the championship games drew to a close, the spotlight shone brightly on some standout players who truly left their mark this season. A notable mention is Finley Polk, the talented quarterback from Northwestern, who put up jaw-dropping stats throughout the season. In the title game alone, he amassed an incredible 427 passing yards with 33 completions out of 39 attempts. Yes, you read that right!

Another rising star was Mason Pickett-Hicks from South Pointe, who had an unbelievable season, accumulating 2,665 rushing yards and finding the end zone 30 times. His remarkable playoff performance even set a single-game state rushing record with nearly 500 rushing yards in a single game—simply mind-blowing!

Emotional Highlights and Special Recognitions

This year’s championships not only celebrated the victories on the field but also paid homage to players who pushed their limits and showcased their talents throughout the season. Aakil Brown from South Pointe led the state in sacks, tallied an impressive 92 tackles overall, and made a significant impact on every game he played.

Northwestern’s head coach, Page Wofford, expressed immense gratitude as he led his team to their latest state championship victory. With a strong background in both football and baseball, he has been an instrumental figure in building a legacy at Northwestern, a school with a rich football tradition.

Looking Ahead

As the dust settles on the 2024 season, schools and players are already looking ahead, dreaming of what next year may bring. With powerhouse performances, unforgettable moments, and a sense of community, high school football in South Carolina continues to be a cherished tradition. Here’s to the memories made and the new stories waiting to unfold as we gear up for another exciting season of high school football!