West Ashley and James Island play in Class 5A Region 5; Burke and St. Johns in Class 1A Region 8. SCHSL playoffs start Nov. 6; the 5A final is Dec. 5.
Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page is updated each year. Sources: the South Carolina High School League’s 2026-28 region alignments and 2026 football brackets. Scores are in our weekly scoreboard.
Charleston’s public high schools play in two very different classes. West Ashley and James Island are in the state’s largest class, 5A, in the same region. Burke on the peninsula and St. Johns on Johns Island are in Class 1A. The SCHSL playoffs start Friday, Nov. 6.
Where to look
- Regions and brackets: the SCHSL football page
- Tickets: SCHSL digital tickets on GoFan
- Schools and districts: Charleston County School District, 843-937-6300
- Results: our weekly scoreboard
Charleston’s teams and their regions
From the SCHSL’s 2026-28 alignment:
| School | Class and region | Region opponents |
|---|---|---|
| West Ashley High | 5A, Region 5 | Ashley Ridge, Fort Dorchester, James Island, R.B. Stall, Stratford, Summerville |
| James Island Charter High | 5A, Region 5 | Ashley Ridge, Fort Dorchester, R.B. Stall, Stratford, Summerville, West Ashley |
| Burke High | 1A, Region 8 | Baptist Hill, Charleston Charter, Cross, Lowcountry Leadership, Military Magnet, Palmetto Scholars, St. Johns |
| St. Johns High (Johns Island) | 1A, Region 8 | Baptist Hill, Burke, Charleston Charter, Cross, Lowcountry Leadership, Military Magnet, Palmetto Scholars |
The West Ashley-James Island game is a region game, so it counts toward the region standings that decide playoff spots. Each school posts its own home and away schedule and kickoff times.
The playoffs
The SCHSL’s 2026 football brackets set the playoff calendar for every class:
| Round | Date |
|---|---|
| First round | Friday, Nov. 6 |
| Second round | Friday, Nov. 13 |
| Third round | Friday, Nov. 20 |
| Upper State and Lower State finals | Friday, Nov. 27 |
| Class 5A state final | Saturday, Dec. 5, 8 p.m. |
In Class 5A, 12 teams qualify from each half of the state: region champions and runners-up seeded by RPI, then the best remaining teams by RPI. The better seed hosts early rounds, and the Lower State champion is the home team in the 5A final. Finals dates for every class are on the SCHSL’s championship page.
Tickets and the gate
The SCHSL links digital tickets through GoFan. Check the home school’s page for gate times and parking before you go.
Scores and highlights
We publish results for Charleston teams every weekend on the scoreboard, from the schools, the district and the SCHSL. Coaches and athletic directors can send final scores through our contact page.
What this means for you
- Region standings decide playoff seeding; West Ashley and James Island meet in Region 5.
- Playoffs run every Friday from Nov. 6 to Nov. 27.
- Buy playoff tickets on GoFan before you leave home.
Related guides: schools and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
When do the South Carolina high school football playoffs start in 2026?
The SCHSL brackets list playoff rounds on Fridays, Nov. 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2026. The Class 5A state final is set for Dec. 5 at 8 p.m.
What region is West Ashley High in?
Class 5A Region 5, with Ashley Ridge, Fort Dorchester, James Island, R.B. Stall, Stratford and Summerville, under the SCHSL’s 2026-28 realignment.
What region is Burke High in?
Class 1A Region 8, with Baptist Hill, Charleston Charter, Cross, Lowcountry Leadership, Military Magnet, Palmetto Scholars and St. Johns.
How do I buy tickets for high school football in South Carolina?
The South Carolina High School League links digital tickets through GoFan. For regular-season games, check the home school’s own page.
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