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A high school football coach in the state of South Carolina abruptly resigned on Wednesday following a 14-win season. His final game was marred by an ugly brawl.
It is unclear whether the fight had any impact on the decision to step down. An ominous update suggests the coach might not be the only domino to fall.
Belton-Honea Path High School has been one of the Palmetto State’s top programs in recent years. The Bears compete in the SCHSL 3A Class. They’ve made back-to-back state championship appearances.
Unfortunately, they’ve lost both to the Oceanside Academy Landsharks. This year’s final result was not the main talking point.
South Carolina high school football championship ends with brawl.
Brawl at end of BHP and Oceanside Collegiate game pic.twitter.com/Nl0DTwOzOf
— Lou Bezjak (@LouatTheState) December 5, 2025
It’s not known what sparked the melee. Oceanside head coach Brent LaPrad blamed Belton-Honea Path.
“They had some fans that were doing a lot of talking,” he told The Post and Courier. “They had a few players hit our coaches and our players. It was bad. Everyone hates losing, but when you lose you need to take it like a man and move on.”
BHP coach Russell Blackston responded after the game, too.
Belton-Honea Path’s Russell Blackston on the brawl that followed today’s 3A state championship game: @PalmettoSportTV pic.twitter.com/7flsg4vuPe
— Caroline Soro (@caroline_soro) December 5, 2025
Oceanside won the contest, 28-7. The Landsharks ended the Bears’ pursuit of a perfect season.
Belton-Honea Path will look to make a third consecutive state title trip in 2026. It will do so without its head coach.
Russell Blackston stepped down.
That news broke two weeks after the championship loss. No explanation was provided by the coach or school.
A stunner here: Russell Blackston tells me tonight he is “no longer the head football coach at Belton-Honea Path. I am going to teach remainder of the year.” He gives no further details. He guided the team to a 14-1 mark and second straight 3A title game this season. @WSPA7
— Pete Yanity (@pyanity) December 18, 2025
Blackston will finish up his teaching duties in the second half of the school year. He will not return to the Bears’ sideline next season.
Local radio host Cole Bryson spoke to parents of Belton-Honea Path players after the news was announced. They fear that more staff members will either be let go or step down.
From conversations with a few parents of players at BHP, this isn’t coming as a surprise. I’m also hearing there could be additional staff impacted beyond Blackston.
That update provides uncertainty surrounding the future of the high school football program. It does not give any clarity as to the reasoning for Blackston’s resignation.
The school didn’t give details either.
Coach Russell Blackston is no longer the head coach of Belton-Honea Path High School Football. Anderson District Two is grateful for his leadership and dedication to our football program.
-Statement from Belton-Honea Path administration via 7 News Sports
Players and parents will now have to wait to see on the Bears’ next move.