By Thomas Grant Jr. After a bye week following a season-ending epic clash, Dutch Fork and Irmo will open the playoffs at home in their respective Class 5A divisions. Winners of 17 straight games, undefeated Dutch Fork (9-0) starts its quest for an eighth state title in nine years FridayContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. “These are the two best teams in the state.” Dutch Fork head coach Tom Knotts would hardly get a rebuttal from anyone inside Irmo. Those who packed Dutch Fork stadium and watched the two neighbors battle for the Region 4-5A title were witnesses to the qualityContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. The Battle of Irmo is set. When defending Class 5A champion Dutch Fork plays host to archrival and fellow unbeaten Irmo Friday night, more than just town and Lexington/Lexington School District Five bragging rights will be at stake. There’s the Region 4-5A title and a guaranteedContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. A ‘bye’ week came right on time for Irmo quarterback A.J. Brand to recharge his energies for a final playoff run “It was definitely a great week off,” he said. “We got to put in some work outside when others weren’t watching. Quick and fast, soContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. The ‘D’ in Dutch Fork truly stands for defense this season. From posting four shutouts (24 going all the way back to 2016) to not allowing a point in 21 of 24 quarters played this season, the defending Class 5A champions are placing their hopes onContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Preparation for the Region 4-5A matchup with fellow unbeaten River Bluff was momentarily interrupted in the Aaron Brand household. The official word was released Sunday afternoon by the Shrine Bowl. Irmo quarterback and Brand’s son A.J. Brand was selected to the 88th edition of the BattleContinue Reading
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 theContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Non-region play ended last Friday with both Irmo and defending Class 5A champion Dutch Fork emerging with perfect records. Both teams posted dominant home victorious last Friday. The Yellow Jackets and Silver Foxes will now head into a bye week and return to action in RegionContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Posting a second straight shutout victory and 21st since 2016 would fully please most head coaches. Dutch Fork’s Tom Knotts is not one of them. The 35-0 win over Gray Collegiate Academy drew a blunt mixed reaction from the head coaching legend. “They (the defense) wereContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Both Irmo-based teams look to continue their winning ways in week 3. Irmo High School travels to Carolina Forest, while defending Class 5A champion Dutch Fork plays its home opener against Gray Collegiate Academy. The Yellow Jackets (3-0) are coming off a 35-34 overtime road winContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Week 1 of the S.C. High School League football season was a sweep for the Irmo teams. Both defending Class 5A champion Dutch Fork and Irmo were victorious in high-profile non-region matchups this past Friday. The Silver Foxes headed to Spartanburg for its season-opener. This wasContinue Reading