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2026 Public Schools Top 100 Preview: No. 27 Northwestern
No. 27 Northwestern returns Xavier Means, a 52-touchdown quarterback, and adds two proven South Pointe transfers for its Class 5A push.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 5 min read
SC Public School Football
South Carolina
Northwestern opens Aug. 21 against No. 32 Hough, the defending North Carolina Class 8A champion. Eight days later, the Trojans meet Indian Land at Bank of America Stadium. The Sept. 25 trip to South Pointe carries its own weight after Northwestern’s only loss last season came in the rivalry. Region play then brings four consecutive Upstate tests before the regular-season finale against Rock Hill. Aug. 21: vs. Hough (North Carolina) Aug. 29: vs. Indian Land at Bank of America Stadium Sept. 4: vs. Stratford Sept. 18: at Berkeley Sept. 25: at South Pointe Oct. 2: vs. Boiling Springs Oct. 9: at Dorman Oct. 16: vs. Spartanburg Oct. 23: at Fort Mill Oct. 30: vs. Rock Hill
Xavier Means — QB, Class of 2027 Means can take over a game without the offense becoming reckless. His 52 touchdowns were split almost evenly between passing and rushing, which forces defenses to account for him on every snap. Payton Vining — WR, Class of 2027 Vining is the most established returning receiver after a five-touchdown junior season. Northwestern needs his role to grow as Means develops timing with a different group of targets. Malik Ratliff — WR/DB, Class of 2027 Ratliff transferred from South Pointe after catching 36 passes for 731 yards and nine touchdowns last season. The Coastal Carolina commitment gives Means a proven vertical target, and Ratliff has said he can also help Northwestern at defensive back. Quay Mobley — RB, Class of 2027 Mobley showed what a larger workload can look like when he ran for 120 yards and three touchdowns in the 2025 opener against Spartanburg. Northwestern needs a returning back to claim more of the workload after losing an experienced senior runner, and Mobley enters the season with a productive varsity performance already behind him. Beau Chumley — OT, Class of 2027 Chumley started on the championship offensive line and now becomes one of the group’s reference points. His experience is particularly valuable with Hough arriving in Week 1. Malik Darby — DL, Class of 2027 Darby’s 9.5 sacks and four forced fumbles give Northwestern a defender who can change a series without help. He will be central to a front replacing several contributors from the title team. KJ Burg — LB/DB, Class of 2027 Burg transferred from South Pointe after leading the Stallions in tackles during their Class 4A championship season. He was credited with 150 tackles and earned statewide Class 4A defensive player of the year recognition from High School Sports Report. Northwestern coach Page Wofford has already identified the Wofford commitment as an important leader in the middle of the defense.
Series
No. 27 Northwestern returns Xavier Means, a 52-touchdown quarterback, and adds two proven South Pointe transfers for its Class 5A push.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 5 min read
Series
Northwestern enters 2026 coming off a 13-1 season and a South Carolina 5A state championship. With another strong core back and a loaded schedule featuring Hough (NC) , Berkeley, South Pointe, Dorman, Spartanburg, and Rock Hill, the Trojans are built to stay in the title mix.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 1 min read
Series
Public Schools Top 25 | National Series — Part 40/50 South Carolina turned out to be one of the cleaner states to rank at the top, but once you get past the obvious No. 1, there is still some real nuance.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 5 min read