By Thomas Grant Jr.
For the second straight year, the town of Irmo is the epicenter of South Carolina high school football.
Three-time defending Class 5A Division I champion and third-ranked Dutch Fork and top-ranked Irmo are once again tied for first place in Region 4-5A entering the final game of the regular season.
Last year, it was the Silver Foxes who came out on top 24-14 at home. They went on to 3-peat as state champion, while the Yellow Jackets placed state runner-up in Class 5A Division II.
This time, W.C. Hawkins Stadium is where a standing-room-only audience is expected on Halloween night. Host team Irmo (9-0, 4-0) looks to complete its second undefeated regular-season in three years and snap a 7-game losing streak to the Silver Foxes (7-1, 4-0)
The significance of the contest beyond the region title is not lost upon the players and coaches on both sides.
“It’s kind of been a long time coming,” Irmo head coach Aaron Brand said. “We’ve tried not to look ahead but the nature of it says we’ve got something coming down the pike that’s going to be monumental for both programs.”
“It’s a rivalry game. It’s always been a rivalry,” Dutch Fork head coach Tom Knotts said. “I guess we broke off many years ago from Irmo. So, it’s a rivalry. But it’s another ballgame and everybody is trying to get ready for the playoffs.
“It’s like a battle for bragging rights,” Dutch Fork center Brody Lorenzo said. “I’ve got friends who love Irmo. I’ve got friends who live in Dutch Fork. So, it’s been a pretty heated week.”
Unlike last year, Brand said preparation has been calm with the distractions of dealing with the S.C. High School League. Irmo had a hearing pertaining to a player’s eligibility prior to the contest.
The executive committee did not sanction the Yellow Jackets.
Meanwhile, Dutch Fork has won three straight since having its 24-game winning streak snapped by Oceanside Collegiate. Ironically, the Landsharks were defeated 34-28 by Irmo in Week Zero.
The Silver Foxes have recorded back-to-back shutout victories and have a streak of nine straight scoreless quarters. To be successful, Brand said the running game with Amire White has to break through against a defensive line with Shrine Bowl selection Julian Walker and Jordan Wuerth at the ends, Luciano Cesaro at nose tackle and a healthy Raleigh Salters at linebacker.
Dutch Fork faces a similar challenge upfront with Irmo’s defensive line. Knotts described junior defensive end Jaiden Bryant as “spectacular” and, along with Yale commit Major Taylor and junior Nate Carson, believes his offensive line has to “play above what they’ve been playing”.
“They’re big and fast and strong and physical,” Lorenzo said. “They know how to get off the ball.”
In last week’s 48-6 win over Chapin, Irmo’s Caden Hall had two interceptions. One of his picks turned into a touchdown the result of a pass that deflected off the hands of two Eagle receivers, then ricocheted off the helmet of safety Jamar Grissett and into his grasp.
Despite losing Chapin transfer Cole Martin to injury in the season-opener, Dutch Fork has averaged 206.4 rushing yards per game and has 31 rushing touchdowns.
Dutch Fork junior quarterback Jaxon Knotts has also settled into the starting role. In a switch from last season, it’s Knotts who’s coaching his son as compared to Brand with his All-State and MaxPreps.com Player of the Year A.J. Brand.
Led by quarterback Dre’Von Dopson, the Yellow Jackets are averaging 41.2 points a contest. They have also won 27 consecutive home games, the last loss coming Sept. 3, 2021 against South Florence.
Dutch Fork is 48-2 in region games since 2015 with both losses coming on the road to Ridge View and White Knoll.
In the end, both coaches share the same confidence level in the final outcome.
“You want to go into the playoffs with some momentum, so that means winning the football game,” Knotts said. “I’m sure Irmo thinks they’re going to win. We think we’re going to win and it’s probably going to come down toward the end who makes the fewest mistakes is probably going to win.”
“It’s going to be a slobber knocker,” Brand said. “We fully expect to win the football game.”
NOTE: Lexington School District Five issued a press release regarding parking and early ticket purchase for Friday’s game. It’s available for reading at www.lexrich5.org. The game will also be streamed at www.nfhsnetwork.com and be viewed with a subscription.
RPI RATINGS
CLASS 5A DIVISION I
(Upper State)
Dutch Fork, 7-1, 0.71036, Dorman, 7-2, 0.64103, Ridge View, 6-3, 0.63230, Byrnes, 6-3, 0.60971, Rock Hill, 6-4, 0.60110, Clover, 5-4, 0.57479, Spartanburg, 5-4, 0.56096, Mauldin, 4-5, 0.50376, Boiling Springs, 4-5, 0.46403, Blythewood, 3-6, 0.42785, JL Mann, 1-8, 0.38858, Spring Valley, 2-7, 0.36756, Wade Hampton, 0-9, 0.27411
CLASS 5A DIVISION II
(Lower State)
Irmo, 9-0, 0.76985, Berkeley, 7-2, 0.63452, White Knoll, 6-3, 0.62046, Myrtle Beach, 6-3, 0.59975, Lucy Beckham, 5-3, 0.58727, Westwood, 6-3, 0.52585, Lugoff-Elgin, 5-5, 0.50601, West Florence, 4-5, 0.50459, St. James, 4-5, 0.50137, North Myrtle Beach, 3-6, 0.42879, Socastee, 2-7, 0.40988, Conway, 2-7, 0.38504, Chapin, 0-9, 0.34357, Goose Creek, 0-9, 0.30190
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL
Class 5A1. Irmo (18) (9-0), 2. Northwestern (1) (8-1), 3. Dutch Fork (7-1), 4. Greenwood (8-1), 5. Summerville (7-2), 6. James Island (8-1), 7. Indian Land (9-0), 8. TL Hanna (8-1), 9. Sumter (8-1), 10. Dorman (7-2)
Others receiving votes: Ridge View, Stratford, Gaffney, Carolina Forest, White Knoll, Byrnes
