Photo by Thomas Grant Jr. – Dutch Fork quarterback Jaxon Knotts
By Thomas Grant Jr.
Concerns about the Dutch Fork football team’s level of play the past two weeks even concerned head coach Tom Knotts.
Last Friday, the Silver Foxes responded by winning another region title in dominant fashion. The 42-0 win over River Bluff was the type of performance observers have become accustomed to seeing the past decade.
The offense produced 562 total yards led by quarterback Jaxon Knotts. The Shrine Bowl selection threw for 393 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for one score.
A major reason for the turnaround was the return of wide receiver Maleek Miller. The Irmo transfer had 11 receptions for 201 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown.
“He’s a special player and I’m figuring out more and more how to use him and he makes us a much better team than we were against Chapin,” Knotts said.
Jalen Singletary also came through with 123 receiving yards, including a 58-yard touchdown. On the ground, running back Michael Robinson rushed for three touchdowns.
The elder Knotts also highlighted the high level of play of the offensive line.
“It’s been a pretty bad two weeks considering for how we’re supposed to be playing,” said junior center Brody Lorenzo, who was named to the 2027 All-American Bowl. “I feel like we came out and show out because everybody was like ‘River Bluff is supposed to be so good.’ We watched film and came out here and balled.”
This was Dutch Fork’s 17th overall win, their 23rd straight at home and improved its record to 12-0 all-time against River Bluff. It was also the 31st shutout victory since 2016.
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA WEEK 8 POLL
(Class 5A)
1. Dutch Fork (10), 2. Northwestern (8), 3. James Island, 4. Berkeley, 5. Dorman, 6. Byrnes, 7. River Bluff, 8. Boiling Springs, 9. Fort Mill, 10. Rock Hill (5-2)
Others receiving votes: Ridge View, Sumter
Irmo back on track
Irmo quarterback Brittain Davis
It was not a traditional “bounce back” game for the Yellow Jackets.
After learning Alabama running back commit Tai Phillips was out for the season, Irmo has continued to move forward. On Friday, it used the aerial attack to roll past Midland Valley 56-14 on the road.
Quarterback Brittain Davis was 13-17 for 245 yards and three touchdowns and a rushing score. Ethan Singletary caught two touchdowns and Demarian Arrington had four catches for 161 yards and a touchdown.
Junior Zay Chew stepped up in Phillips’ place with 123 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
On defense, Shrine Bowl defensive lineman Jaiden Bryant had eight tackles and 3.5 sacks. The Yellow Jackets had 8 ½ sacks against the Mustangs and freshman defensive back Semaj China returned an interception 71 yards for a touchdown.
Irmo (5-3, 2-1) closes out the regular season with two home games. A win over Aiken Friday ensures the Yellow Jackets finish no lower than second place in Region 5-4A and will have a first-round game at W.C. Hawkins Stadium.
All-Star additions
Dutch Fork and Irmo each had seniors selected to play in the 79th annual Touchstone Energy Bowl on Dec. 12 at Doug Shaw Stadium in Myrtle Beach.
Wide receiver Maleek Miller and offensive lineman Niran Ford, both of Dutch Fork, were named to the North team. Defensive back Jamar Grissette of Irmo was selected to the South.
The Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas will follow on Dec. 19 at Spartanburg High School. Quarterback Jaxon Knotts and defensive lineman Jaden Wuerth of Dutch Fork and defensive lineman Jaiden
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL (Week 8)
Class 4A
1. Westside (13), 2. Gaffney (5), 3. TL Hanna, 4. North Augusta, 5. Hilton Head Island, 6. South Pointe, 7. Lugoff-Elgin, 8. Indian Land, 9. South Florence, 10. Irmo
Others receiving votes: Lancaster, North Myrtle Beach, Dreher, Greenville
