By Thomas Grant Jr.
After a bye week following a season-ending epic clash, Dutch Fork and Irmo will open the playoffs at home in their respective Class 5A divisions.
Winners of 17 straight games, undefeated Dutch Fork (9-0) starts its quest for an eighth state title in nine years Friday against Boiling Springs in Division I.
The Silver Foxes have won seven of the eight meetings with the Bulldogs, three in the postseason. Dutch Fork defeated Boiling Springs 28-21 in the first Class 5A title game in 2016.
The Bulldogs (7-3) are coming off a 32-0 shutout road win over Dorman. They face a Dutch Fork team which has averaged 39.5 points per game and allowed a total of 45 points all season with five shutouts.
Shrine Bowl linebacker Josh Smith leads the team with 65 tackles and his 13 sacks is second on the team to Daniel Williams’ 19. Linebacker Raleigh Salters is second with 56 tackles and recovered two turnovers in the 24-14 win over Irmo.
Fellow Shrine Bowler Elgin Sessions has two interceptions and leads a secondary which has slowed down some of the state’s top receivers.
Offensively, quarterback Ethan Offing has thrown for 2,121 yards and 18 touchdowns. Wide receivers Boykin Bickley (44 receptions, 757 yards, six touchdowns) and K.J. Smith (36 receptions, 453 yards, seven touchdowns) are his main targets.
Senior Maurice Anderson leads the ground game with 739 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Dutch Fork is 14-0 under head coach Tom Knotts in playoff openers. A win would also give the Silver Foxes 10 wins for the 13th time under Knotts.
The winner meets either Rock Hill or River Bluff in the third round. The Gators set up the third-round rematch with the Bearcats (they won 48-34 in Week 0) with a 36-6 win over Mauldin.
Quarterback Brayden Moore threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns, both to Stephen Collier and Griffin Lindler had eight tackles and a sack.
In Division II, Irmo (9-1) also gets a familiar foe in Lexington/Richland School District Five rival Chapin. The two teams met on Nov. 1 in a 55-21 rout by the Yellow Jackets.
Shrine Bowl quarterback AJ Brand had eight touchdowns – five passes, two rushing and one receiving – in the game where he surpassed 10,000 career total yards.
Following the 17-16 playoff win over Goose Creek, Chapin promised a “better” effort against the Yellow Jackets.
“We’ve got to play better defense, that’s for sure,” Chapin head coach Ryan Cole said. “Offensively, we left some points on the board there, on the field. Our coaches do a great job. I’m just excited to play them. They’re a good team.”
“Obviously keep (Aaron) Brand in the pocket,” Chapin linebacker Tanner Short said. “I think that’s our big factor and try to box (Donovan) Murph as good as we can. I think we’ve got a good game plan coming into it. The coaches are great. The coaches…I believe in them.”
Irmo’s Murph selected
to All-American Game
On Thursday, Irmo wide receiver Donovan Murph announced he will participate in the Under Armour Next All-America Game.
It will take place Jan. 2 at Spec Martin Stadium in Orlando, Fla. and will air on ESPN. The game will include over 100 of the top high school players in the country.
Murph, who reclassified as a senior to graduate this year and has received several Division I offers, He has 131 receptions for 2,074 yards and 23 touchdowns in two seasons with the Yellow Jackets.
FRIDAY’S PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
(All Games at 7:30 p.m.)
Boiling Springs at Dutch Fork
Chapin at Irmo
River Bluff at Rock Hill
Feature photo: Dutch Fork running back Maurice Anderson with the carry. (All Photos by GoFlashwin.com)
