Knotts’ 4 TDs, Walker Sack Seals 28-21 Dutch Fork Win

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IRMO |</strong> Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823705' first='Jaxon' last='Knotts']</strong> had a coming-of-age game Friday during Hall of Fame night at Dutch Fork.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was his second career start at quarterback. He had tied Ridge View at 21-21 in the third quarter by expertly scrambling out of trouble and lasering a throw between two defenders to fullback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818103' first='Kyle' last='Henry']</strong> for a 6-yard touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 5:40 left in the game, Knotts was tasked with orchestrating a go-ahead scoring drive from his own 5-yard line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Under the watchful, stern eye of head coach and father Tom Knotts, Jaxon led the Silver Foxes on a 13-play, 95-yard scoring drive. He made accurate throws to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='568697' first='Stone' last='Furrey']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821109' first='Sheldon' last='Shine']</strong> and displayed his running skills for timely first downs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 38.9 seconds left at the Ridge View 25, Knotts used his legs to give Dutch Fork its first lead. He faked the handoff to Henry, followed the blocking of he and center <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1151291' first='Brody' last='Lorenzo']</strong> and raced into the endzone for the score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was Knotts' fourth touchdown of the game and first on the ground. He finished with 352 total yards (295 passing on 17-23 attempts, 47 rushing).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A game-ending sack by University of Michigan defensive lineman commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592529' first='Julian' last='Walker']</strong> preserved the 28-21 victory. It was the Silver Foxes' 24^th consecutive win (the longest active winning streak in the S.C. High School League) and 13^th straight at home.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We're Dutch Fork, we're not suppose to lose the game,” a confident Knotts said. “We knew we had to score one way or another. Whether it was the kicker, whether getting it in the endzone. We just wanted it more than they did tonight. We were tired, but it turned out we wanted it more and got it done.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams seemed equally matched on offense and defense. However, it was special teams that allowed Ridge View to stay ahead of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blazers capitalized off a muffed punt by Dutch Fork to take a 7-0 first quarter lead on a 1-yard touchdown run by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149057' first='Spencer' last='Bobian']</strong>. With the game tied at halftime after a 72-yard touchdown pass by Knotts to Furrey, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172363' first='Khristian' last='Jackson']</strong> returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards to regain the lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the play, Jackson broke free of the initial tacklers and fought off two Dutch Fork defenders near the goal line to make it 14-7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Knotts tied the game minutes later with a 35-yard touchdown pass to <strong>Brayden Johnson</strong>, Ridge View did not make it easy. Defensive linemen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819600' first='Blair' last='Allen']</strong> and <strong>Drew Madison</strong> disrupted Dutch Fork's running game that was missing Chapin transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592297' first='Cole' last='Martin'] </strong>with a left foot injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1537475' first='D'Juan' last='Franklin']</strong> was among the four Blazer players with sacks. Defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267280' first='Jordyn' last='Best']</strong> had a 66-yard interception return that had Ridge View in position to take the lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 29-yard field goal attempt by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822154' first='Issaija' last='Yohannes']</strong> sailed wide left.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On offense, quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1350429' first='Ashton' last='Chapman']</strong> posted similar numbers as Knotts. Replacing injured starter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard']</strong> (season-ending foot injury), he completed 17-of-29 passes for 230 yards and had a go-ahead 24-yard touchdown pass to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818714' first='Carter' last='Coleman']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chapman was intercepted by freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595010' first='Taddrick' last='Gibson']</strong> and fumbled after taking a 19-yard loss to defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821107' first='JeQuann' last='Henderson']</strong> to start the fourth quarter. Overall, he played hard and with poise most of the game playing behind an experienced offensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both 6-foot-3, 310-pound senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1719469' first='Jordan' last='Senior']</strong> and 6-foot-3, 295-pound junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1811119' first='James' last='Ross']</strong> battled Walker and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409882' first='Jaden' last='Wuerth']</strong> throughout the game. Both players left the game on back-to-back plays in the final minute to receive leg treatment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was no coincidence that Walker sacked Compton to end the game with both players on the sidelines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We know every game we've got to work twice as hard to get sacks, to get plays,” Walker said. “We showed what it takes to make stops.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters']</strong> also provided support up front with a team-high five tackles. His efforts helped hold the Blazers to 16 rushing yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->