By Thomas Grant Jr.
After a bye week, both undefeated Irmo and Dutch Fork return to action Friday to begin Region 4-5A.
The Yellow Jackets (5-0) will travel to Lexington (4-1) in a revival of the “Battle of the Dam” series. They have lost the last six meetings with the Wildcats, including a 27-24 overtime defeat in 2021.
Senior quarterback A.J. Brand is once again putting up big numbers for Irmo. The Virginia Tech signee has thrown for 1,288 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 490 yards and eight scores.
On Tuesday, Brand learned one of his favorite targets will join him in the Class of 2025. Junior wide receiver Donovan Murph announced he will reclassify as a senior so that he can graduate in May.
Murph currently has 34 offers, including the University of Alabama where he visited this past weekend. He said some of the schools encouraged him to reclassify.”
“Putting my family in a better position earlier, so if I have the opportunity to do that, that’s definitely the route I want to go,” Murph said. “God bless me with the skill set to do that. So this was something I wanted to do.”
An All-State wide receiver last year, Murph has 42 receptions for 490 yards and three touchdowns this season. He hopes to have a commit date by the end of this year.
Murph’s decision was supported by his head coach Aaron Brand.
“It’s the right decision for Don and his family,” he said. “We look forward to him finishing out the year strong.”
Dutch Fork on the road
Dutch Fork (4-0) also heads on the road to Cecil Woolbright Field to face Chapin (4-1). The Silver Foxes have won all 11 meetings with the Eagles, all by an average of 37 points.
This is a matchup that pits the Palmetto State’s leading passer against a defense riding two shutout streaks. Chapin quarterback Brady Albro has thrown for 1,515 yards and 17 touchdowns in five games.
Dutch Fork’s defense has posted three straight shutout victories and have not allowed a point in 14 consecutive quarters. Linebacker Josh Smith, who decommitted from Coastal Carolina, has a team-high 26 tackles and is second behind Julian Walker in sacks (3).
The secondary has only two interceptions, but 16 pass breakups led by senior Elgin Sessions. Opponents are averaging just 100 passing yards a game with just one touchdown which took place in the second quarter against Spartanburg.
On the season, Dutch Fork has outscored its opponents 148-7. The Silver Foxes also look to extend their regular season winning streak of 12 games.
(Poll from Sept. 24. Because of the postponements and cancellations, there was no Week Six poll.)
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL
Class 5A
1. Dutch Fork (17) (4-0)
2. Gaffney (1) (4-0)
3. Northwestern (1) (5-0)
4. Summerville (4-0)
5. Irmo (5-0)
6. Sumter (5-0)
7. JL Mann (3-1)
8. Hillcrest (4-0)
9. White Knoll (3-1)
10. Boiling Springs (3-1)
Others receiving votes: Spartanburg, River Bluff, Greenwood, James Island, West Florence, Dorman
Photo by Thomas Grant Jr. – Irmo wide receiver Donovan Murph announced his decision to reclassify.
