By Thomas Grant Jr.
Before achieving regular-season perfection, a Region 5-4A title awaits Irmo High School.
The Yellow Jackets can clinch their first region title outright since 2010 with a win at Westwood.
A victory over the Redhawks would continue Irmo’s longest winning streak since 2009 when it won 10 straight games. It would also clinch the program’s first outright region title since 2010.
Irmo (8-0, 3-0) continues to ride the strong play of quarterback AJ Brand. He’s on pace for a 2,000-passing yard/1,000 rushing yard season with 1,672 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and no interceptions and 639 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
Wide receiver Donovan Murph continues to increase his presence each week. He has 35 receptions for 615 yards and 10 touchdowns. The third part of Irmo’s “Three String” attack, running back Jaden Allen-Hendrix, is coming off a 160-yard, two touchdown performance against A.C. Flora to give him 1,385 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season.
The defense has started to make a larger presence the past two games for the Yellow Jackets. Linebackers Matthew Blocker and Jylil Favor both have returned interceptions for touchdowns and the front of freshman Jaiden Bryant, Xavier Montgomery are a primary reason Irmo has held four straight opponents under 10 points.
Westwood (1-7, 0-3) enters the game on a 7-game losing streak and is coming off a 40-0 loss to Ridge View. The offensive line has had difficulty protecting quarterback Carrington Carter and running back Quentin McGill Jr. was injured against Lugoff-Elgin.
Antwan Nelson has looked to carry the load for the Redhawks but has had difficulty the past two games as teams have targeted him.
S.C. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREP MEDIA RANKINGS
Class 4A
1.South Florence (17) (8-0)
2. Northwestern (3) (7-1)
3. Irmo (8-0)
4. James Island (8-0)
5. Westside (7-1)
6. Midland Valley (8-0)
7. South Pointe (6-2)
8. Lucy Beckham (7-0)
9. North Augusta (6-2)
10. Hartsville (5-3)
Others receiving votes: Ridge View, Myrtle Beach, Greenville, York, West Florence
Photo by Thomas Grant Jr. – Irmo running back Jaden Allen-Hendrix
