By Thomas Grant Jr.
A new season, same old winning story for Dutch Fork.
The 3-time defending Class 5A Division I champions opened the season with a 54-21 win over ranked Spartanburg. Dutch Fork trailed 21-20 in the second quarter before Mario Anderson’s 49-yard interception return TD sparked a run of 34 unanswered points.
Kyle Henry rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns and Isaac Shine added 96 yards and two scores. Chapin transfer running back Cole Martin added 78 yards and a touchdown.
Quarterback Jaxon Knotts completed 13-23 passes for 122 yards in his first career start.
On defense, defensive end Jason Wuerth had three tackles and two sacks.
The Silver Foxes continued to extend a number of streaks:
- 22nd straight victory (longest active winning streak in the S.C. High School League and 27th nationally)
- 12th straight home victory (last loss was Sept. 22, 2023 versus Weddington, NC)
- 13-4 in home openers
- 50th game of scoring 50 or more points.
Dutch Fork looks to continue its winning ways at home Friday against Ridge View. It’s the Sonic Friday Night Rivals Game of the Week and can be seen on Spectrum’s Channel 1250 or www.wach.com.
The Silver Foxes hold a 6-5 lead in the series, including last year’s 38-0 win. The Blazers (1-1) are coming off a 35-0 loss to defending Class 5A Division II champion Northwestern.
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL WEEK 2
Class 5A
1. Dutch Fork (17) (1-0)
2. Northwestern (1) (2-0)
3. Irmo (2-0)
4. Gaffney (1-1)
5. Greenwood (1-0)
6. Summerville (1-1)
7. Dorman (2-0)
8. Byrnes (1-1)
9. James Island (2-0)
10. Berkeley (2-0)
Others receiving votes: Ridge View, White Knoll, Sumter, Spartanburg, Carolina Forest
Voters this week: Mac Banks, Fort Mill Prep Sports; Lou Bezjak, The State Newspaper; Jed Blackwell, SC Prep RedZone; Cole Bryson, 97.7 The Fan Upstate; Dennis Brunson, High School Sports Report; Scott Chancey, Florence Morning News; Chris Dearing, The State/SC Prep RedZone; Jordan Ferrell, Fox Sports Spartanburg; Thomas Grant, Irmo News/SC Prep RedZone; Ian Guerin, SC Prep RedZone; Travis Jenkins, The News & Reporter; Wes Kerr, LowcoSports; James McBee, The Boiling Springs Sports Journal; MyHorryNews; David Shelton Post and Courier/High School Sports Report; Brent Shugart, Fox Sports Spartanburg; Brandon Stockdale, SC Prep RedZone; Pete Yanity, WSPA
Photo by GoFlashwin.com
