What We Saw: Dutch Fork 35, Gray Collegiate 0

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IRMO |</strong> Having a quarterback contribute 239 total yards and three touchdowns in a winning effort would draw plaudits on most teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The same for a tailback whose rushing total was six more than the entire offensive output of the opposing team. There's also the third running back on the depth having a career game with two scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those were the respective numbers posted by Dutch Fork senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267290' first='Ethan' last='Offing']</strong> and running backs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012701' first='Maurice' last='Anderson']</strong> and <strong>Issac Shine</strong> in the 35-0 shutout of Gray Collegiate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offing completed 16-26 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns and had a 5-yard scoring run. Wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360308' first='Boykin' last='Bickley']</strong> had a 53-yard touchdown reception and finished with six receptions for 113 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the ground, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012701' first='Maurice' last='Anderson']</strong> led Dutch Fork with 143 rushing yards and a touchdown. Backup Shine was equally productive with 60 rushing yards and a touchdown and a 34-yard scoring reception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yet following the coach, head coach Tom Knotts had a different group in mind to praise. Following the game, he had his starting offense give the defense a standing ovation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“That's all I'm going to talk about,” he said. “The defense was just special tonight. They gave up some yards in the first series which was a little bit disconcerting there and then, from there on, they were lights off.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since the second quarter against Spartanburg, the Silver Foxes have not allowed a single point in 10 straight quarters. In addition to posting a second straight shutout, it was the 21^st game dating back to 2016 in which Dutch Fork held an opponent scoreless.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It starts upfront where the front seven of linemen <strong>Daniel Williams </strong>(pictured number 97), <strong>Michael Steed</strong>, <strong>Jaquan Henderson,</strong> and 6-foot 6, 244-pound junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592529' first='Julian' last='Walker']</strong> (pictured number 41) and linebackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012706' first='Josh' last='Smith']</strong>, <strong>Jarvis Jackson</strong> and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters']</strong> held the War Eagles to 143 total yards.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Silver Foxes were just as actively pressuring junior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller']</strong>. Last year's Class 2A All-State selection was 7-20 passing for a season-low 27 yards and was sacked three times, twice by Walker and once by Williams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even when Waller made a throw, Dutch Fork's secondary had blanket coverage on his wide receivers. West Virginia commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012606' first='Elgin' last='Sessions']</strong> along with fellow defensive backs <strong>Derek White</strong> and <strong>Jason Washington</strong> were frustrating in their coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 14-yard reception by <strong>Haszari Gantt</strong> was the longest by a War Eagle wide receiver. When Waller looked to find an open receiver, Sessions, White and Washington were quick to defend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray Collegiate head coach D'Angelo Bryant said while his team left opportunities on the field, he believed Dutch Fork's defensive success stems from their confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“They're comfortable in their system,” he said. “They know their system. They know what they're doing in their system and that makes them play much faster. So, I wouldn't necessarily said that their speed is so much dynamic as compared to us, but I just thought they played with a little bit more confidence in knowing what to do.” &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray Collegiate had two scoring opportunities in the fourth quarter but were unable to capitalize. An interception by linebacker <strong>Da'Von Toney</strong> was returned 10 yards to the Dutch Fork 17 with 3:05 left in the third quarter. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Silver Foxes defense forced a turnover on downs after allowing just two runs of eight yards and tackling Gantt for a 3-yard loss after a reception. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryant was pleased with the leadership and effort showed by defensive linemen Eathan Raysor and two-way linemen<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1359251' first='Zeb' last='Taylor']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1349328' first='Carter' last='Stephens'],</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359229' first='Trequan' last='Singleton']</strong>. They battled throughout the evening with a Dutch Fork offensive line with 6-foot-7, 300-pound tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012842' first='Josh' last='Benson']</strong>, 6-foot-3, 215-pound guard <strong>Cayden McFadden</strong>, 5-11, 215-pound <strong>Ky-mani McLeish</strong> and 6-foot-4, 208-pound senior tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254046' first='Boone' last='Miller']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dutch Fork prepares to face another charter school Oceanside Collegiate; it has added further depth to the defense with the arrival of Chicago, Ill. native <strong>Luciano Cesario</strong>. The 6-1, 220-pound junior is described by Knotts as a “violent” defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We've got a special defense. We know it,” Knotts said. “We've just got to get the offense rolling and we'll be fine.” &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->