Class 5A 2nd Round Preview: Carolina Forest at Dutch Fork
In this article:
Carolina Forest is one of those up-and-coming programs that has made folks take notice the last two seasons in South Carolina’s largest classification. The Panthers made it to the Lower State finals a year ago, and only a loss to…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingCarolina Forest is one of those up-and-coming programs that has made folks take notice the last two seasons in South Carolina’s largest classification.
The Panthers made it to the Lower State finals a year ago, and only a loss to Sumter in October has prevented them from remaining perfect so far in 2020. The 8-1 team runs the ball with the best of them behind a powerful offensive line that has become the blue print for coach Marc Morris’ success since taking over in 2014.
However, they’re about the face the most notable in-state program over the last four years.
This fall, four-time defending state champion Dutch Fork is 7-0 and hasn’t won a game by fewer than three touchdowns all season. The Silver Foxes dispatched Summerville with ease to open the playoffs. Whether or not they can do it again this week could be dictated by these position battles.
CAROLINA FOREST OL VS. DUTCH FORK FRONT SEVEN
There’s a reason the Silver Foxes have allowed a downright laughable 6.6 points per game this year. No one can run the ball on them with any type of consistency and after opponents are forced into a one-dimensional approach to try to make up some early ground, their defensive backs pounce.
That’s where the Carolina Forest offensive line comes into play.
Tackles Lucas Giovansanti and Riley Dular, guards Caleb Godfree, Manning Hitt and Grayson Blunt (he doesn’t start but plays a bunch) and center Logan Estep will have their work cut out for them. So far this year, they’ve done a great job opening holes for 1,000-yard rushers Luke Janack and Kyle Watkins. But they’ve yet to face a group like Dutch Fork.
This Silver Foxes front seven is led by linebacker Chris Wicker, who either leads the team or is tied for the team lead in tackles (49.5), tackles for loss (six) and sacks (seven).
DUTCH FORK PASSING GAME VS. CAROLINA FOREST DEFENSIVE BACKS
Will Taylor Will Taylor 5'10" | 160 lbs | WR Dutch Fork | 2021 State SC is going to go play baseball (and possibly football, too) at Clemson. But before he does, he’s a part of one more special group at Dutch Fork. The quarterback has shined all season, throwing for 1,746 yards and 18 touchdowns while completing 67.5 percent of his passes. Adding value to his productivity is the fact that he’s got as many rushing touchdowns (three) as interceptions.
The Panthers have some bodies who could help turn those numbers closer to their favor, especially if Adam Janack (Luke’s older brother) can get involved. The senior defensive back leads the team with six interceptions, coming out of both coverage schemes and while playing centerfield in zone reads.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Carolina Forest is notoriously conservative on special teams, especially when it’s booting the ball back after a score or during punt situations. That should be on display in this game, as well.
In addition to being a talented receiver, Dutch Fork return man Antonio Williams Antonio Williams 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Dutch Fork | 2022 State SC also has close to 600 yards worth of punt and kickoff returns. When he gets a seam, he can easily flip the field and make putting the ball in his hands a mistake.