Five under-the-radar Midlands football teams that could surprise in 2024 season

The White Knoll and Cardinal Newman football teams were two of the biggest surprises in the Midlands last season.

The Timberwolves went from seven victories in 2022 to 13 last season and their first state championship game. The Cards went from five to nine wins and made it to the SCISA Class 4A semifinals.

The high school football season kicks off in full this Friday across South Carolina.

So which teams in the area are primed for a big jump in 2024 or at least improve on last year’s win total? We have five possible contenders (with last year’s record in parentheses).

Lugoff-Elgin (2-9)

There’s been plenty of buzz about this team over the summer. Lugoff-Elgin has a new coach, Leon Boulware , who went 21-4 in two seasons at Lewisville and also won back-to-back state titles as Indian Land’s wrestling coach.

The Demons are moving up to Class 5A and haven’t had a winning season since 2017, when they went 7-5 and made it to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Boulware plans to open things up on offense with Jace Richardson at quarterback. Shamil Saadiq, Myles Hamilton and Jeremiah Benson will be some of Richardson’s top targets. One of the strengths of L-E’s team might be the offensive with Division I prospects Christian Smith and Daniel McCaskill. Senior Tyquwan Murphy will be one to watch on L-E’s defense.

AC Flora (4-7)

Injuries and struggles on defense contributed to the Falcons’ first losing season since 2017. Expect Flora to bounce back this season.

The Falcons are talented on offense with junior Roper Wentzy back at quarterback along with his top two targets, 1,000-yard receiver Kendall Byrd and Joshua Davis, as well as Tripp Van Vlake. Solomon Kelson will handle running back duties.

Defensively, A.C. Flora gave up 36.6 points a game last season but should be better on that side of the ball. Joshua Edwards-Threatt is back on defense along with Azel Banag and Michael Quinn. Max Elliott is making the move from tight end to linebacker.

Keenan (5-6)

The Raiders have some momentum after winning playoff games in back-to-back seasons under coach Ray McLeod and have the potential to get a little farther this season. Keenan returns 20 starters, including quarterback Desmond Washington, two-way standouts Tyheim and Ny’keim McNeil as well as region defensive player of the year Titus Bowman.

Keenan also has three starters back on the offensive line.

The Raiders begin the season with some tough non-region games, including Pendleton, a team that’s ranked in the preseason Class 3A poll.

Lower Richland (2-8)

After combining for 14 wins in 2021 and 2022, the Diamond Hornets took a step back in Marlin Taylor’s fourth season last year.

But Lower Richland should rebound to .500 and contend for a playoff spot. The Diamond Hornets added a new quarterback in Spring Valley transfer Aden Jones. The senior will have plenty of weapons around him in receiver Antonio Adams and 6-foot-5 tight end Noah Lucas, who will also play on defense. Junior Ophir Hill is the top returning tackler on defense. The Diamond Hornets have some question marks on the offensive line.

Lower Richland is moving up to 4A in a region with South Florence, who has played for two straight championships, and traditional power Hartsville. But the Diamond Hornets have some winnable games early to build confidence going into region play.

Blythewood (4-7)

The Bengals followed up a region championship in 2022 with a losing record and first-round exit last year in James Martin’s first season as head coach. Blythewood has 14 starters back, including four on the offensive line. The Bengals are breaking in a new quarterback in junior Johnny Collins, who has the ability to run outside the pocket. Ridge View receiver transfer Carter Coleman will help Collins in the passing game and should be ready to go for the season after missing preseason scrimmages with an injury.

The defense is anchored by Georgia Southern defensive lineman commitment Sterling Sanders.

Blythewood has a manageable schedule early on before heading into region play in which it will close the season against Sumter and Ridge View.

Others considered: Newberry, Swansea, Heathwood Hall, Batesburg-Leesville

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