High School Football in South Carolina: Palmetto Pigskin History

South Carolina has a proud tradition of high school football stretching back to the 1890s, making the sport one of the most celebrated in the state. Discover how Florence High School– sometimes dubbed the Yellow Jackets or the Golden Tornados–won the first four state titles, a record that has been tied but never broken. And learn about the aftermath of a 1922 game between Columbia and Charleston, when violent Columbia fans hurled eggs at the Charleston train as the players left for home. Through the 1960s, the sport withstood the immense pressure of integration until 157 teams ballooned into 193 by the end of the decade. John Boyanoski reveals the trophies, tears, and triumphs of the Palmetto State’s time-honored football legacy.