By Thomas Grant, Jr.
One game at a time.
For all the success enjoyed by both head coaches Tom Knotts of Dutch Fork and Aaron Brand of Irmo, this mantra has remained the centerpiece of their weekly approach.
Home wins Friday night moved the two teams a week closer to their Halloween night showdown at W.C. Hawkins Stadium.
Neither head coach was interested in looking ahead with another region game this week.
“I don’t know about the showdown in two weeks,” said Brand, following the 14-3 win over White Knoll. “Who we play in two weeks? Alright. Good. We’ve got Chapin next week and we’ve got to not let them be our first (loss).”
In improving to 8-0 for the third consecutive year, the Yellow Jackets’ defensive front continues to lead the way. Prior to going on a recruiting visit to receive an offer from Alabama, lineman Jaiden Bryant sparked a strong effort upfront in holding the Timberwolves to their lowest point total of the season.
“We knew what we had to do when we came out,” Bryant said. “We showed up, showed out and shut the lights out.”
Former White Knoll defensive lineman Tyrone Jennings also joined with Bryant, Major Taylor and Nate Carson to contribute. On offense, junior Maleek Miller accounted for both touchdowns.
“We’re just taking it one week at a time,” Miller said. “We’ve got to get through Chapin first, then we’ll worry about (Dutch Fork) when that week comes.”
Dutch Fork
Knotts’ focus on Friday’s opponent River Bluff also saw him oblivious to a coaching storyline. This is his first meeting with head coach Perry Parks since their 2015 matchup that took place in the days following the “1,000-year flood”.
Parks was the first-year head coach at Ridge View when it defeated Dutch Fork 28-21 at Blythewood High School. It is one of just two region losses the Silver Foxes have suffered this 2015.
“Nothing,” said Knotts what he remembered about that game. “Nothing. I don’t know if it disrupted football or not. I swear I don’t remember. That’s just the kind of guy I am. I guess it’s sad to say, but this is my world right here. This is River Bluff week right here. This is my world.”
For Knotts, that involves using “corrective measures” to hold his players accountable. Despite the 49-0 win over Lexington, the team’s 27th shutout victory since 2016, he was not pleased with the 13 penalties for 113 yards and nine missed tackles.
A positive for the Silver Foxes is senior linebacker Raleigh Salters. The Shrine Bowl senior has been slowed by a high ankle sprain, but appears to be getting into post-season form.
Julian Walker
Earlier in the week, defensive end Julian Walker was selected to play in the Navy All-American Bowl. The contest is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2026 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Walker remains a Michigan commit, but South Carolina continues to heavily recruit him.
RPI RATINGS
(Class 5A Division I Upper State)
Dutch Fork, 6-1, 0.71935 Ridge View, 6-2, 0.66492 Dorman, 6-2, 0.63237 Spartanburg, 5-3, 0.59490 Rock Hill, 5-4, 0.59295 Byrnes, 5-3, 0.58925 Clover, 4-4, 0.55491 Boiling Springs, 4-4, 0.49109 Mauldin, 3-5, 0.47679 JL Mann, 2-6, 0.43795 Blythewood, 3-6, 0.42960 Spring Valley, 2-6, 0.38455 Wade Hampton, 0-8, 0.28089
(Class 5A Division II Lower State)
Irmo, 8-0, 0.79533 Myrtle Beach, 6-2, 0.61904 Berkeley, 6-2, 0.61273 White Knoll, 5-3, 0.61258 Lucy Beckham, 5-2, 0.61077 Westwood, 6-2, 0.56434 Lugoff-Elgin, 4-5, 0.49629 St. James, 3-5, 0.47837 West Florence, 3-5, 0.47214 North Myrtle Beach, 3-5, 0.44431
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL
Class 5A
1. Irmo (16) (8-0), 2. Northwestern (3) (8-1), 3. Dutch Fork (6-1), 4. Greenwood (7-1), 5. Ridge View (6-2), 6. Summerville (6-2), 7. James Island (7-1), 8. Gaffney (6-2), 9. Indian Land (8-0), 10. TL Hanna (7-1)
Others receiving votes: Sumter, Dorman, Stratford, Ashley Ridge, Greenville, Spartanburg, Carolina Forest, White Knoll
S.C. HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE FALL PLAYOFFS
VOLLEYBALL
(Wednesday’s match)
Dutch Fork at Wade Hampton
TENNIS
(Thursday’s match)
Dutch Fork at J.L. Mann
