By Thomas Grant Jr.
Irmo football was scheduled to close out the preseason last Friday with two, 12-minute quarters against Eastside in the Chapin Kickoff Classic.
Incoming lightning cut short the scrimmage by over nine minutes. Before the stoppage, the Yellow Jackets led 14-0 over the Eagles.
Running back Amire White broke free for a long gain on Irmo’s first possession. It set up a 6-yard keeper by Britton Davis, who shared quarterback duties with Drevon Dopson.
The Yellow Jackets’ final score came courtesy of wide receiver Maleek Miller. Some the Eagles’ 30, he cut and spun his way through the defense before bursting down the sidelines for the touchdown.
On defense, the Yellow Jackets looked as relentless and aggressive as last season. Transfer defensive lineman Tyrone Jennings showed his pass-rushing ability against the Eagles lining up alongside Jaiden Bryant and two-way lineman Nate Carson.
The Yellow Jackets will look to bring that intensity to Mount Pleasant when it opens the season Friday against defending Class 3 A champion Oceanside Collegiate Academy. The Landsharks are led by 2-time state champion quarterback Aiden Manavian who’s coming off a 3,507-yard passing season.
This year, wide receiver Ethan Ranew comes over from West Ashley to be one of his new targets.
Irmo defeated Oceanside Collegiate 35-7 last season.
Dutch Fork opens at home
The quest for a second ‘4-peat’ begins at home tonight for the Class 5A Division I champion Silver Foxes.
Dutch Fork faces a Spartanburg team looking to extend a state-best 21-game winning streak. The Silver Foxes have won six of seven meetings with the Vikings, including last year’s 24-0 victory.
Head coach Tom Knotts’ son Jaxon makes his debut at quarterback. He’ll be surrounded by new weapons such as Chapin transfers running back Cole Martin and wide receiver Stone Furrey.
The offensive line returns sophomore center “Bruiser” Brody Lorenzo. He’s always receiving attention from Division I schools and Knotts expects him to have a dominant season.
The defensive line has a potential one-two punch at end with Michigan commit Julian Walker and Augusta transfer Jaden Wuerth. Raleigh Salters is back to lead the linebackers and the secondary looks to replace Elgin Sessions.
WEEK 0 SCHEDULE
(All Game Start at 7:30 p.m.)
Spartanburg at Dutch Fork
Irmo at Oceanside Collegiate
Mid-Carolina at Swansea
Catawba Ridge at Chapin
Newberry at Union County
Photo by GoFlashwin.com – Irmo’s Maleek Miller
