The South Carolina high school football playoffs return Friday with a couple of changes.

After two years of two divisions, the South Carolina High School League will have a fully consolidated Class 5A to guarantee one champion. Both Dutch Fork and Northwestern won Divisions I and II, respectively, and will now compete in the same Class 5A Upper State bracket.

Class A now has two divisions with several teams have first-round byes.

The same is true for the other classifications. In the case of the final regular season SI Top 25 rankings, only five teams will open play this Friday.

Top 25 newcomer River Bluff is one of those teams in action. The Gators will play host to Spartanburg in the Class 5A Upper State bracket with the winner meeting idle Dorman in the second round.

1. Dutch Fork (9-0)

Previous rank: No. 1

Last week: Defeated White Knoll 49-7

This week: did not play

The Silver Foxes looked to finish their seventh undefeated regular season under head coach Tom Knotts.

2.…