Class 5A Upper State Final Preview

Jed Blackwell November 22, 2022 @ 09:01 PM

This is the one.   When realignment reshuffled the Region IV-5A champion into the Upper State bracket, when Dutch Fork seemed headed for that seed, when Gaffney emerged from the annual dogfight that is Region II-5A, this is the one everybody circled.   The team that has dominated the state's biggest class for the last half-decade, visiting the team that knocked them off last season, for a spot in the 5A state championship game.   Dutch Fork (12-1) at Gaffney (9-3)   The Silver Foxes have been their usual steamrolling selves this season, averaging more than 43 points per play. They had a couple of squeakers early on, and fell to national power St. Frances, but they've been more than stellar defensively as well, giving up just 12.5 points per game. So, statistically, if the Silver Foxes score twice, you're done. They've been more than able to do that, averaging 8.9 yards per play, and an eye-popping 8.5 yards per carry. It would be easy, and accurate, to attribute most of that to [player_tooltip player_id='91136' first='Jarvis' last='Green']. The Mr. Football finalist has been spectacular, rushing for 1,849 yards, a 9.8 yards per carry average, and 29 TDs on the ground. But Green's had plenty of help. QB [player_tooltip player_id='44974' first='Aliam' last='Appler'] rushes for more than 7 yards per carry and has 10 scores. Maurice McQuire has rushed for close to 400 yards, while Trenton Lodge and [player_tooltip player_id='262550' first='Landon' last='Danley'] have each topped 275. Appler has also been solid in the passing game, throwing for more than 1,300 yards and 12 TDs. Isaiah Jones is is big target, while Green and [player_tooltip player_id='448992' first='Jacob' last='Hamilton'] have hauled in some big catches as well. Defensively, Dutch Fork has been superb. J'Von Mack has three interceptions, tied for the team lead with Danley, who's been all over the field. [player_tooltip player_id='132398' first='Chandler' last='Perry'], [player_tooltip player_id='336148' first='John' last='Buetow'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1142746' first='Dakota' last='Jordan'] have all played well on the defensive side for the Silver Foxes.   Gaffney's defense, meanwhile, has been on another planet, particularly in the playoffs. The Indians give up some points, but they create a LOT of chaos along the way. The big names are [player_tooltip player_id='443491' first='Nathan' last='Johnson'] at DE and [player_tooltip player_id='268582' first='Brayshawn' last='Littlejohn'] at LB. They're both healthy after some nagging injuries, and they dominated last week's matchup with Byrnes, combining for 19 tackles, 5 sacks, and a forced fumble. They've controlled the Gaffney front all season, while the Indians have been ball hawks on the back end. Tre Smith has snagged four interceptions, Kaliber Hoey and Jayden Sims have three each, King Dowdle has two, and three more Indians are tied with one each, and the Indians are plus-7 in turnovers. Offensively, [player_tooltip player_id='459546' first='Quashon' last='Tate'] has rushed for more than 900 yards, while freshman sensation [player_tooltip player_id='473029' first='Jaiden' last='McDowell'] has 562 and Chas Smith has 267 in just four games. Duke commit [player_tooltip player_id='89340' first='Grayson' last='Loftis'] has thrown for 2,650 yards and 21 scores, with four Gaffney receivers at more than 400 yards, including big-play threat Drew Medley. Edward Jefferies does a little of everything.   Gaffney's got a tremendous home field advantage, but Dutch Fork is battle tested. Green will likely be the best player on the field, but Gaffney might have the next two or three. In a game that's been as anticipated as this one, it's hard to define a true edge. But the difference might be giving the nod to the team that's got the rings - or at least the last one.   Edge: Gaffney

This is the one.