Taking Down The King: Who Poses The Best Threat To Dutch Fork?
In this article:
In Class 5A football, nobody has done it better than Dutch Fork. That’s not an unquantifiable statement, as the Silver Foxes have not been defeated in 50 games (there was one tie), piled up 24 straight playoff victories and are…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIn Class 5A football, nobody has done it better than Dutch Fork.
That’s not an unquantifiable statement, as the Silver Foxes have not been defeated in 50 games (there was one tie), piled up 24 straight playoff victories and are a ridiculous 64-1-1 since the start of the 2016 season.
That was the year South Carolina went to five classifications, and it was the beginning of Dutch Fork and coach Tom Knotts’ unprecedented five consecutive state championships.
And guess what? That squad will be loaded again this fall.
There are star receivers Antonio Williams Antonio Williams 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Dutch Fork | 2022 State SC and Devin Hyatt Devin Hyatt 6'2" | 195 lbs | WR Bradenton IMG Academy | 2023 State FL . Running backs Jarvis Green Jarvis Green 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Dutch Fork | 2023 State SC and Marcus Taylor. Transfer quarterback Aliam Appler Aliam Appler 6'4" | 205 lbs | QB Dutch Fork | 2023 State SC has the makings of the next great signal caller.
Defensively, linebackers CJ Wicker CJ Wicker 5'11" | 205 lbs | LB Dutch Fork | 2022 State SC and Chandler Perry Chandler Perry 5'9" | 200 lbs | LB Dutch Fork High | 2023 State SC are experienced and polished, as are defensive backs Nicolas Wright and Landon Danley.
It makes sense, then, that Dutch Fork will be the No. 1 team in the state media polls when they are released in August. But to think the Silver Foxes continuing their reign is a forgone conclusion isn’t exactly accurate.
These four teams might have the talent to shake up the status quo in 2021.
T.L. HANNA YELLOW JACKETS
The Class 5A runner up from last season should have every chance to make another deep run this year behind the likes of tailback Kamren Johnson Kamren Johnson 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB TL Hanna | 2022 State SC (pictured above), offensive lineman Chap Pendergrass, linebacker Fletcher Cothran and defensive back Travon West, among a slew of others.
The Yellow Jackets’ modified triple option offense has been a nightmare for opposing big-class schools who don’t see it very often, and coach Jason Tone’s squad should be even more productive with it this year.
SUMTER GAMECOCKS
Like T.L. Hanna, Sumter saw its season come to a close last year with a loss to Dutch Fork (in the Lower State finals). The Gamecocks are bringing back so much talent that the rest of the Lower State is again on notice.
Defensive lineman Davin Jackson Davin Jackson 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL Sumter | 2022 State SC , defensive back Jabari Tiller Jabari Tiller 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Sumter | 2022 State SC , quarterback Ryan McCants Ryan McCants 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Sumter | 2022 State SC and linebacker Malik McKinzie Malik McKinzie 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Sumter | 2022 State SC will all be seniors, and 6-foot-6 defensive end Monteque Rhames Monteque Rhames 6'6" | 230 lbs | DL Manning | 2023 State SC will be heading into his junior year.
RIDGE VIEW BLAZERS
Ridge View’s first season in Class 5A nearly led to a huge shake-up in the playoffs a year ago, when the Blazers lost by one point to T.L. Hanna in the opening round. We don’t expect first-year coach Derek Howard’s team to be an early exit next time around.
Big-name offensive talents in quarterback Andre Washington Andre Washington 6'4" | 200 lbs | QB Ridge View | 2022 State SC and lineman Tray Franklin Tray Franklin 6'6" | 280 lbs | OL Ridge View | 2022 State SC and defensive standouts Miquel Mason Miquel Mason 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Ridge View | 2022 State SC and Sterling Goodwin Sterling Goodwin 6'3" | 230 lbs | LB Ridge View | 2022 State SC are the cornerstones of a Ridge View squad ready to rise up again.
CHAPIN EAGLES
The dark horse of Class 5A is a team Dutch Fork knows very well. The Silver Foxes throttled Chapin last year 51-12 in a Region V-5A game, and it helped lead to coach Justin Gentry’s team missing out on the postseason. This fall, though, Gentry is going to be in charge of one of the more player-friendly lineups he’s ever had.
Sophomore quarterback Jayden Bradford Jayden Bradford 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Osceola | 2023 FL and a trio of seniors – receiver Zavier Short Zavier Short 6'2" | 200 lbs | WR Chapin | 2022 State SC , tailback Bennett Galloway Bennett Galloway 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Chapin | 2022 State SC and lineman Chase Sweigart Chase Sweigart 6'6" | 300 lbs | OL Chapin | 2022 State SC – are going to develop into an offer-heavy group.