The popular sports website, Stadium Talk released a list of the top high school football programs all-time in each state and ranked them nationally. The Byrnes rebels were named in that list, garnering the top spot all-time in South Carolina and 14th nationally.
Byrnes has 11 State Titles all time and had an incredible run from the early 2000's through the early 2010's. The Rebels won 8 State Titles in the stretch form 2002 through 2011. Coach Bobby Bentley led them through the early part of that stretch and then Christ Miller came after him and continued to collect the hardware. In that stretch, the Byrnes program was elevated to one that garnered national attention. The Rebels were often nationally ranked playing a national schedule in the non-region. I can vividly recall seeing Byrnes play in nationally televised games on ESPN throughout that stretch.
However, Byrnes has not won a State Championship since 2011. There definitely are fans of programs elsewhere in South Carolina that would argue for their place on Stadium Talk's list. You don't have to look far for a program that many would consider to be the same caliber. About 30 miles up I-85 from Byrnes sits Gaffney High School. The Indians now have 17 State Titles in program history. They ended the dynasty and strangle hold that Dutch Fork had on the 5A crown this past December. The win ended a winning streak of over 50 games for Dutch Fork.
Dutch Fork is another that belongs in the conversation. The Silver Fox program has been utterly dominant in recent years winning 5 straight State Titles from 2016-2020. South Pointe which is newer school than many of the traditional South Carolina powers also is one that deserves consideration. South Pointe opened in 2005, they have 6 State Titles since then. They won their first in 2011 and then won 4 straight from 2014-2017. South Pointe then had a 3 year title drought before winning another one this past season.
Daniel has 7 all time State Titles, they have won back to back State Titles in dominant fashion. The Lions went through a trophy drought of over 20 years before their recent dominant win streak. Abbeville is another deserves a spot in the conversation. The Panther program has 11 total State Titles, 7 coming since 2010. They have won 5 in the last 7 years.
There are other schools in South Carolina that certainly deserve consideration. To make a list of each them, I would be here all day. I apologize if I didn't mention some noteworthy contenders. The question in the minds of Byrnes fans and those of us that follow HS football around the state is, can the Rebels return to prominence? And if so, when does the return come?
The SCHSL has its realignment every two years and just recently went through that cycle. While most teams don't move classes or regions, some do. In my mind, the most interesting realignment moves came with Gaffney moving regions. Riverside and Wade Hampton who were 5A Region 2 members will now be in 4A. Gaffney had competed in 5A's Region 3, they now move to Region 2 5A. I am not sure there's an argument for there being a tougher football region in South Carolina than 5A Region 2. That group now includes defending State 5A Champs Gaffney, Byrnes, Dorman, Spartanburg and Boiling Springs.
So while, Byrnes garnered the recognition in Stadium Talk's all-time list, the current landscape will be the State's toughest to navigate. The Rebels will open their season in late August. You can hear every single play of every single Byrnes game right here on The Fan Upstate.
