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 win at Butler (NC). Quarterback Aaron Brand was 14-18 passing for 142 yards and a touchdown to wide receiver Donovan Murph.
He also rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns, the final one which helped put the Yellow Jackets in the lead. Butler scored, but its 2-point conversion attempt failed as it botched the snap.
Running back Amire White also scored twice in Irmo’s 15th straight regular-season win under head coach Aaron Brand.
Over in the Northeast area, Dutch Fork improved to 2-0 with a 38-0 win over Ridge View. In avenging a 2015 loss to the Blazers in their last meeting, one of just three road defeats suffered during that span, the Silver Foxes posted their 20th shutout victory since 2016.
Instead of Blythewood High School, Ridge View’s home park at the home, the game was played at the Blazers’ new home facility. Quarterback Ethan Offing, who this week committed to Clemson baseball, completed 14-24 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns, two to KJ Smith, and Maurice Anderson rushed for 94 yards and two scores.
Dutch Fork’s defense held Ridge View quarterback Tre Howard to 188 yards, sacked him three times and had an interception. All-State wide receiver Jordan Gidron had just two catches for 34 yards.
Raleigh Salters and Josh Smith both had 10 tackles for Dutch Fork, which has won 10 straight games since last season.
Friday marks the first of two straight matchups with charter schools for Dutch Fork. Next week, Oceanside Collegiate makes its second visit to the Irmo area after losing in the season opener to the Yellow Jackets.
College News
Irmo and Dutch Fork graduates played a major role in victories this past weekend.
The University of South Carolina defeated Kentucky 31-6 in a nationally televised game in Lexington.
Safety Nick Emmanwori was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week. The former Yellow Jacket had seven tackles and a 24-yard interception return for a score.
University of South Carolina defensive backs Vicari Swain (4) and Nick Emmanwori (7) of Irmo High School.
It was the Emmanwori’s third career interception and first career touchdown.
As a team, South Carolina held the Wildcats to 183 total yards. It was the lowest total allowed in a game by the team since 2021 when it held Eastern Illinois to 109 yards.
The Gamecocks play host to LSU on Saturday with ESPN’s College Gameday making an appearance.
In Greenville, Charleston Southern upset 15th ranked Furman 24-21. Sophomore safety Chandler Perry, a graduate of Dutch Fork High School, had six tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception.
Fellow former Silver Fox defensive lineman Edward Owusu had a fumble recovery in the game. He played on four state championship teams for Dutch Fork and scored a touchdown off a fumble recovery in the 2018 state final win over T.L. Hanna.
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL
Class 5A
1. Dutch Fork (19) (2-0)
2. Gaffney (1) (2-0)
3. Northwestern (1)
4. Summerville (3-0)
5. Irmo (3-0)
6. Sumter (3-0)
7. JL Mann (2-1)
8. Hillcrest (3-0)
9. White Knoll (2-1)
10. Boiling Springs (3-0)
Others receiving votes: TL Hanna, Spartanburg, Fort Dorchester, Lexington, Chapin, River Bluff, Blythewood
Feature Photo: by GoFlashwinwin – Irmo running back Amire White
