By Thomas Grant Jr. On one side, Dutch Fork has had over two weeks to simmer over its first loss in two years. About eight miles away, rival Irmo has had the time to get accustomed to its number-one ranking in Class 5A. On Friday, both teams return to actionContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. A new season, same old winning story for Dutch Fork. The 3-time defending Class 5A Division I champions opened the season with a 54-21 win over ranked Spartanburg. Dutch Fork trailed 21-20 in the second quarter before Mario Anderson’s 49-yard interception return TD sparked a runContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. The quest for a ‘second 4-peat” starts Friday for Dutch Fork. The defending 2-time Class 5A Division I champions open the season at home against Spartanburg (0-1). It’s the first of two straight games in Irmo for the Silver Foxes against Top 10 teams. Dutch ForkContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant, Jr. The fourth-ranked Yellow Jackets opened the season on the road against defending Class 3A champion Oceanside Collegiate. The first game without All-State quarterback A.J. Brand saw them trail early 6-0. In the second half, it outscored the Landsharks 21-14 for the 35-28 win. The fifth-ranked ClassContinue Reading
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 AmireContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant, Jr. S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA PRESEASON POLL CLASS 5A 1. Dutch Fork (16), 2. Summerville, 3. Gaffney, 4. Northwestern (1), 5. Irmo, 6. Spartanburg, 7. Greenwood, 8. Sumter, 9. T.L. Hanna, 10 (tied). J.F. Byrnes and Ridge View Others receiving votes: White Knoll; Hillcrest; JL Mann; River Bluff;Continue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. There’s still plenty of ‘All Gas, No Brakes’ attitude at Irmo High School. This past year saw former Irmo All-State selections quarterback Aaron Brand and wide receiver Donovan Murph head to the college ranks. In fact, they will see each other Aug, 30 in Atlanta, Ga.Continue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. The more things change, the more they remain the same at Dutch Fork. Heading into Year 16 with the Silver Foxes, head coach Tom Knotts is seeking a second “four-peat” during his tenure. He returns a roster with 41 seniors, with some transfers at key positions.Continue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Having the proverbial “chip on the shoulder” is something Gray Collegiate Academy does not deny. To a man, the War Eagles are motivated by the abrupt ending to last season. Not only were they forced to forfeit all six wins and miss the Class 4A playoffs,Continue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. The winningest head football coach at River Bluff resigned on Thursday. In a statement released by the school, it announced Blair Hardin’s resignation. He leaves the program after eight seasons, posting a 47-37 record with five playoff appearances. “We sincerely appreciate Coach Hardin’s contributions to GatorContinue Reading
A proclamation was approved by council on Tuesday, January 28, honoring Dutch Fork High School as the 2024 South Carolina State 5A Football Champions and their Head Coach Tom Knotts.Continue Reading