By Thomas Grant Jr. Dutch Fork and Irmo looked to bring back two state titles to the “Gateway of Lake Murray” this past weekend in Orangeburg. The Silver Foxes were successful in adding another championship to their dynasty. They defeated Summerville 35-21 in the Class 5A Division I final playedContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. The Garden City will be the unofficial home for residents of the Home of the Okra Strut. For the first time ever, both Dutch Fork and Irmo are playing for state championships in football. The two rivals will compete in separate Class 5A divisions this weekendContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. The road to the state championships in Class 5A will go through the town of Irmo. Dutch Fork and Irmo high schools will play host to state semifinals Friday night. The undefeated and defending Class 5A champion Silver Foxes will face Spartanburg in the Division IContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Dutch Fork and Irmo emerged from a two-week absence to resume their respective quests for Class 5A titles. In both cases, they posted lopsided wins in their second-round games at home. The Silver Foxes defeated Boiling Springs 42-14 in the Class 5A Division I playoffs. MauriceContinue Reading
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