Eric Sprott

2 weeks ago | upstatetoday.com | Eric Sprott

SENECA — For all its many positives, there’s no getting around the fact that football comes with inherent — and well publicized — safety risks. As a former high school football player himself, that’s something Seneca Recreation Department director C.J. Gleaton is keenly aware of and deals with as part of his job duties. And with football season just around the corner, the recreation department is doing its part to make the game safer for its participants.

2 weeks ago | upstatetoday.com | Eric Sprott

When looking back on the past school year, West-Oak High School athletic director Tim Sheriff succinctly summed it up regarding the Warriors’ wrestling team winning its fourth straight state championship in February. “Not much you can say,” he said with a laugh. The point is well taken, but by that same token, there’s plenty that can be said about West-Oak’s dominance on the mat.

2 weeks ago | upstatetoday.com | Eric Sprott

After a four-year stay in the Class 3A ranks, Daniel High School began a scheduled two-year stint in Class 4A this past school year following the latest round of realignment from the South Carolina High School League. And while there were challenges to be had, Daniel athletic director Ben Touchberry said it was a solid return to the classification it previously called home from 2016-20, complete with 14 Region II-4A championships to help highlight the 2024-25 academic year.

2 weeks ago | upstatetoday.com | Eric Sprott

On March 6, Byron Wimphrie was raising a state championship trophy with the Walhalla High School girls’ basketball team after helping guide the Razorbacks to their first-ever state title. At some point during the bus ride back from Florence, it dawned on him that seven years earlier, his coaching career was at a crossroads — and perhaps on life support. “I was pretty much jobless from a coaching standpoint and had to start my career back over again,” Wimphrie said.

3 weeks ago | upstatetoday.com | Eric Sprott

CENTRAL — Just a few short months ago, Chris Stone was under the assumption he was in for somewhat of a laid-back spring. So much for that. Given that he was going into what was to be his third season as Walhalla High School’s head football coach, Stone was in a good, established rhythm with the Razorbacks, so it wasn’t a farfetched notion. But, of course, that third season wasn’t meant to be.