By Thomas Grant Jr.
A win away from regular-season perfection.
It’s a feat Irmo High School football has accomplished in its history three previous times.
Having clinched the Region 5-4A title outright for the first time since 2009, the Yellow Jackets look to complete a 10-0 season at Lugoff-Elgin for the first time since 2002.
Irmo wrapped up the region last week with a 63-0 rout of Westwood. Quarterback A.J. Brand threw for 212 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for two touchdowns to lead the offense.
The junior is closing in on joining the 2,000/1,000 club first made famous by former Clemson quarterback Woodrow Dantzler. He’s thrown for 1,884 yards and 29 touchdowns and rushed for 693 yards and 11 scores.
He’s also yet to turn the football over this season, a streak dating back to last year.
Irmo also received contributions from its newly selected Touchstone Energy Cooperatives seniors. Running back Jaden Allen-Hendrix rushed for 120 yards to reach 1,505 yards this season and added three touchdowns to his current total of 15.
His future South teammate defensive back Isaiah McClary had an interception return for a touchdown in the game. He’s part of a Yellow Jacket defense which has allowed a total of 53 points this season and posted three shutouts.
“We have really turned the corner, so to speak,” Irmo head coach Aaron Brand said. “We are explosive on offense, and we are as good on defense as there is around. I keep waiting for some adversity, but it just hasn’t happened yet. We have been able to kind of score at will and kind of stop people at will. I hope it isn’t fool’s gold.’
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA WEEK NINE RANKINGS
Class 4A
1. South Florence (15) (9-0)
2. Northwestern (5) (8-1)
3. Irmo (9-0)
4. James Island (9-0)
5. Westside (8-1)
6. Midland Valley (9-0)
7. Lucy Beckham (9-0)
8. North Augusta (7-2)
9. South Pointe (6-3)
10. Hartsville (6-3)
Others receiving votes: Greenville, Ridge View, Myrtle Beach, York
Photo by Trey Love, All American Imaging
