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 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 [player_tooltip player_id="61070" first="Antonio" last="Williams"] and [player_tooltip player_id="89336" first="Devin" last="Hyatt"]. Running backs [player_tooltip player_id="91136" first="Jarvis" last="Green"] and <strong>Marcus Taylor</strong>. Transfer quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="44974" first="Aliam" last="Appler"]</strong> has the makings of the next great signal caller.
Defensively, linebackers [player_tooltip player_id="91235" first="CJ" last="Wicker"] and [player_tooltip player_id="132398" first="Chandler" last="Perry"] are experienced and polished, as are defensive backs <strong>Nicolas Wright</strong> and <strong>Landon Danley</strong>.
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.
<strong>T.L. HANNA YELLOW JACKETS</strong>
The Class 5A runner up from last season should have every chance to make another deep run this year behind the likes of tailback [player_tooltip player_id="91225" first="Kamren" last="Johnson"] (pictured above), offensive lineman <strong>Chap Pendergrass</strong>, linebacker <strong>Fletcher Cothran</strong> and defensive back <strong>Travon West</strong>, 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.
<strong>SUMTER GAMECOCKS</strong>
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 [player_tooltip player_id="59473" first="Davin" last="Jackson"], defensive back [player_tooltip player_id="89303" first="Jabari" last="Tiller"], quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="92207" first="Ryan" last="McCants"] and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="91202" first="Malik" last="McKinzie"] will all be seniors, and 6-foot-6 defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="146354" first="Monteque" last="Rhames"] will be heading into his junior year.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
<strong>RIDGE VIEW BLAZERS</strong>
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 [player_tooltip player_id="153263" first="Andre" last="Washington"] and lineman [player_tooltip player_id="153246" first="Tray" last="Franklin"] and defensive standouts [player_tooltip player_id="91193" first="Miquel" last="Mason"] and [player_tooltip player_id="91229" first="Sterling" last="Goodwin"] are the cornerstones of a Ridge View squad ready to rise up again.
<strong>CHAPIN EAGLES</strong>
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 [player_tooltip player_id="139289" first="Jayden" last="Bradford"] and a trio of seniors - receiver [player_tooltip player_id="59482" first="Zavier" last="Short"], tailback [player_tooltip player_id="89315" first="Bennett" last="Galloway"] and lineman [player_tooltip player_id="89304" first="Chase" last="Sweigart"] - are going to develop into an offer-heavy group.
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in
