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The South Carolina high school football state playoffs ended on December 6th. Not even two weeks removed from their conclusion, we have drama surrounding the 2026 season.
A coach based in Charleston has accused a nearby rival of illegally recruiting his roster. He publicized the poaching claims on social media while informing the local governing body.
Rashad Graham was hired as the head coach at West Ashley High School this past February. That represented a promotion from his defensive coordinator role with Boiling Springs.
His Wildcats went 2-8 in his first season at the helm. They landed a 12-seed in the playoff field but were quickly booted from the postseason with a 65-21 loss to Summerville in the opening round.
Graham is now looking ahead to Year 2. He claims to be dealing with a headache in the form of a tampering rival.
High football school coach makes tampering accusation.
West Ashley is a public school based in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Less than 15 miles separate it from First Baptist School in Charleston.
The schools do not compete at the same level. The Wildcats are members of the 5A SC High School League. The Hurricanes play in 3A SC Independent School Association.
They are rivals in the sense of proximity, however.
Students and their families know one another. That goes for coaches and administrators, too. Charleston is one big smalltown.
With that said, the two program compete for players in the same general area. Being public, West Ashley is restricted mainly to students living within certain boundaries.
First Baptist has more flexibility being private. Coach Graham believes the Hurricanes’ coaching staff is overstepping.
I know @CanesFBS would love it if some our players would transfer to you but I’m sure you guys know recruiting and contacting our players is something you can’t do. @SCHSL @SCFCA1
— Coach Graham (@GrahamRRashad) December 16, 2025
No coach was named in the accusation. There was no indication of which player was allegedly contacted. Most, however, believe Graham has receipts given his decision to go public.
Recruiting has been a hot topic in the state over the last few years. New SCHSL rules were recently passed to allow for one-time transfers.
The subject of movement between SCHSL and SCISA schools has been particularly contentious.
The rules regarding athletic transfers came to a head in 2020 when the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) adopted new rules regarding transfer eligibility. A number of charter and private schools sued the SCHSL and were able to obtain an injunction… The legislature then stepped in and implemented a proviso… which effectively prevented the SCHSL from implementing the new rule changes.
The issue revolves around competitive balance… Under the current rules, many of the administrators and officials within the SCHSL believe that private and charter schools enjoy a competitive advantage over traditional public schools.
-Daniel Island News
SCHSL members believe it’s already difficult enough to recruit within their designated boundaries. Graham does not want his best players poached by private schools operating on different recruiting guidelines.
West Ashley called First Baptist out for its supposed high school football shadiness. It will be interesting to see if action can or will be taken.