Photo by Westwood football – Running back Jovan Howard
By Thomas Grant, Jr.
It’s a new season and return to a former classification for Westwood football.
The Redhawks have moved back to Class 4A. However, the objective remains the same under second-year head coach Stephen Burris.
“Our expectations don’t change because of the classification,” he said. “We expect to compete, and we expect to compete at a high level. Moving into 4A gives our program another opportunity to challenge ourselves against quality football teams and continue to grow.
Photos by Westwood football
“Our goal is to put ourselves in position to compete for championships and create opportunities for our players to chase their dreams after high school. We understand that takes preparation, consistency and a commitment from everybody on campus from administration, trainers, teachers, custodians, parents, all the way down to me as the head coach. We’re excited about the opportunity and believe this group has the potential to add on to the foundation established by last year’s team.”
The new Region 4-4A will include Lugoff-Elgin, A.C. Flora, Richland Northeast, Dreher and Lancaster.
In preparation for Friday’s season-opener at York, Burris has taken an “early bird” approach. The team had held practices starting at 5:45 a.m. to counter working out under hot conditions.
“The players have adjusted really well to the early practice schedule,” he said. “Anytime you change the routine, there is an adjustment period for the freshmen, but this is Year Two for our older players and they have embraced it.
“The biggest benefit has been the level of focus and intensity they bring to practice. They understand that getting our work done early requires commitment, discipline, preparation and accountability all pillars of our program.”
Westwood will field a much younger team than last year’s senior-laden squad that went 7-5 and reached the second round of the Class 5A Division II playoffs. Among key holdovers are running back/wide receiver Angelo Rios, running back Jovan Howard and defensive lineman A.J. Veal.
“What stands out about this group is their willingness to work and compete,” Burris said. “Rather than putting all of the pressure on one or two players, we believe our success will come from having a number of guys step up and contribute in different ways. We are excited about the overall character of this team. We have exceptional young men that show up and are coachable.”
This is the first of two straight games against York County teams. The following Friday, Westwood plays its home opener against Clover before renewing the annual “Battle of the Axe” matchup with rival Blythewood.
Vikings, Cavaliers meet in opener
Another Northeast head coach entering his second season is Norman Washington of Spring Valley.
Last year’s 2-9 record marked the Vikings’ most wins in three seasons. They will now compete in the newly-configured Region 4-5A with Ridge View, Sumter, Blythewood and Gray Collegiate Academy.
Spring Valley will open the season at another crosstown rival Richland Northeast. This will be the first game for new head coach DeMarcus Simons, formerly of Eau Claire.
In replacing Walt Wilson, Simons looks to help the Cavaliers rebound from a 0-10 season and snap an 11-game losing streak.
‘Champions’ Tour starts for Blazers
The 2026 season opens for Ridge View football with the first of three games against defending state champions.
Up first is Class 4A titleholder South Pointe, who went 14-1 last season. Despite the transfer of wide receiver/defensive back Kaiden Watkins to rival Rock Hill, the Stallions return several players on defense.
Ridge View will have a fully healthy Tre Howard at quarterback and Khristian Jackson at wide receiver. Despite graduating eight seniors on defense, the Blazers still have talent there with linebacker in D.J. Epps and safety Kingston Lucas.
Next Friday, defending Class 5A champion Dutch Fork pays a visit to View County. The Aug. 28 contest will be the inaugural Bojangles’ Ridge View Kickoff Classic.
Tickets are available at ridgeviewsports.com.
2026 SCHEDULES
(Cardinal Newman)AUG. 21 – AMERICAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (Lexington), Aug. 28 – at Westminster School of Augusta Football, Sept. 4 – at Heathwood Hall, Sept. 11 – BEN LIPPEN, SEPT. 18 – at Augusta Christian, SEPT. 25 – at Pinewood Prep, OCT. 2 – LAURENCE MANNING ACADEMY, OCT. 9 – NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, Oct. 16 – Bye, OCT. 23 – at Hammond, OCT. 30 – JOHN PAUL II
(Richland Northeast)
AUG. 21 – SPRING VALLEY, AUG. 28 – at Blythewood, SEPT. 4 – at York, SEPT. 11 – FAIRFIELD CENTRAL, SEPT. 18 – at Lower Richland, SEPT. 25 – Bye, OCT. 2 – Dreher, OCT. 9 – at Lancaster, OCT. 16 – at A.C. Flora, OCT. 23 – LUGOFF-ELGIN, OCT. 30 – WESTWOOD
(Spring Valley)
AUG. 21 – at Richland Northeast, AUG. 28 – IRMO, SEPT. 4 – RIVER BLUFF, SEPT. 11 – at Lexington, SEPT. 18 – at Chapin, SEPT. 25 – FAIRFIELD CENTRAL, OCT. 2 – at Gray Collegiate Academy, OCT. 9 – RIDGE VIEW, OCT. 16 – Bye, OCT. 23 – at Blythewood, OCT. 30 – SUMTER
(Westwood)
AUG. 21 – at York, AUG. 28 – CLOVER, SEPT. 4 – BLYTHEWOOD, SEPT. 11 – at Catawba Ridge, SEPT. 18 – Bye, SEPT. 25 – FORT MILL, OCT. 1 – LUGOFF-ELGIN, OCT. 9 – at Dreher, OCT. 16 – at Lancaster, OCT. 23 – A.C. FLORA, OCT. 30 – at Richland Northeast
