By Thomas Grant Jr.
Week 1 of the S.C. High School League football season was a sweep for the Irmo teams.
Both defending Class 5A champion Dutch Fork and Irmo were victorious in high-profile non-region matchups this past Friday.
The Silver Foxes headed to Spartanburg for its season-opener. This was a rematch of last year’s Week 1 contest won by the Vikings 17-6.
Motivated by revenge and overcoming weather delays, Dutch Fork came away with a 24-7 victory. It was the Silver Foxes’ ninth consecutive win dating back to last season.
Quarterback Ethan Offing completed 24-35 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns. He also punted twice with two kicks averaging 51.5 yards and one touchback.
Wide receiver Boykin Bickley had two touchdown receptions and finished with eight receptions for 130 yards. KJ Smith also caught a touchdown and had seven receptions for 32 yards
The Silver Foxes’ defense made sure Spartanburg would not mount a comeback. They held the Vikings to 11 rushing yards, collected five sacks and forced two turnovers.
Raleigh Salters, who had an interception, both had six tackles. Carl Fulmer had a team-high two sacks.
The “revenge tour” for Dutch Fork continues Friday against Ridge View. This is the first meeting since Oct. 13, 2015 at Blythewood High School with the Blazers winning 28-21 just days after major flooding overwhelmed the Midlands.
It was the last road loss for Dutch Fork until last year’s defeat at White Knoll.
Irmo now 2-0
The Yellow Jackets were back at home facing another test.
This time, it was a J.F. Byrnes team looking to rebound after a 19-16 loss at T.L. Hanna.
Senior quarterback A.J. Brand would keep the ranked Yellow Jackets on the winning track. He scored five touchdowns as Irmo held on for the 35-27 win.
Brand completed 22-29 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 92 yards and a score in building a 28-7 lead for the Yellow Jackets.
Sophomore wide receiver Maleek Miller caught two touchdowns and finished with seven catches for 115 yards. A week after getting limited to five receptions and no scores after being defended by as many as three players in the secondary by Oceanside Collegiate Academy, All-State wide receiver Donovan Murph erupted for 11 receptions for 160 yards and his first touchdown of the season.
On defense, lineman Jaiden Bryant had eight tackles, three for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.
Irmo now heads to Matthews, N.C. for its first-ever meeting against Butler. The Bulldogs (0-2) have been outscored 90-21 in their first two games.
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL
Class 5A
1. Dutch Fork (17) (1-0)
2. Gaffney (1) (1-0)
3. Northwestern (2) (2-0)
4. Summerville (2-0)
5. Irmo (2-0)
6. TL Hanna (1-0)
7. Sumter (2-0)
8. JL Mann (1-1)’
9. White Knoll (1-1)
10. Hillcrest (2-0)
Others receiving votes: Spartanburg, Boiling Springs, Lexington, River Bluff, Fort Dorchester, Blythewood, Chapin, James Island
Photos by Goflashwin.com
1. Irmo wide receiver Maleek Miller (3) and quarterback A.J. Brand (1) after touchdown reception.
2. Irmo offensive lineman Ryan Love
