Class 5A, Division I Semifinals Preview

We can't honestly say we're surprised at the matchups we're going to see in the Class 5A, Division I state semifinals. It almost seemed destined that we would get Dorman at Dutch Fork and because the Upper State bracket was mostly chalk, that's exactly what we're going to get the Friday after Thanksgiving.   In the Lower State, James Island and Summerville played a rugged region schedule and even though they were lower seeds, this matchup doesn't surprise us all that much. The Trojans have been living on the edge, needing double overtime against Sumter and a field goal to defeat Stratford as time expired in rounds two and three. Summerville used a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter to beat Carolina Forest by one in the third round.   Now we get these two matchups to determine who will play for the state championship on December 6 in Orangeburg.   NO. 2 DORMAN (10-2) AT NO. 1 DUTCH FORK (10-1)   There is a huge streak on the line when the Cavaliers travel down I-26 to face the Silver Foxes. This is the 10th straight state semifinal appearance by Dutch Fork and 31st home playoff win. The last home playoff loss – to Dorman in the third round of the 2015 season. Dutch Fork has made 12 state semifinals under coach Tom Knotts and are a perfect 12-0. They're looking to go for a four-peat for the second time in nine seasons.   “Playing with his group is a lot of fun,” Dutch Fork sophomore offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1151291' first='Brody' last='Lorenzo'] said. “A lot of us have played together since middle school. We've been through ups and downs together and that has created a real bond. We all push each other and have the same goal in mind – a four-peat.”   Defense has been the key for the Silver Foxes. They have four shutouts on the season with three of those coming in the last five games, including a 21-0 win over Byrnes in the third round. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1777821' first='Ethan' last='Moze'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters'] will have to make plays to slow a ground-orientated attack from Dorman. Moze has 53 tackles and an interception. Salters is still the undeniable emotional leader and has 48 tackles. Defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1463245' first='Luciano' last='Cesario'] is undersized but is a heady player that has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1734522' first='Mario' last='Anderson'] is tied for the team lead with three interceptions.     The Dorman offense is chipping along on a five-game winning streak, and they've scored at least 35 points in the last three games. [player_tooltip player_id='1664350' first='Nick' last='Means'] and Carter Nash made a solid 1-2 punch in the running game in the win over Ridge View. Nash stepped in for a banged-up [player_tooltip player_id='1816266' first='Isaac' last='Tate'] and ran for 85 yards in the win. Means finished with 143 yards and two touchdowns. All three backs might be available against Dutch Fork and running the ball and limiting possession should fit right into the Cavaliers plan. [player_tooltip player_id='340230' first='Meek' last='Slydell'] threw a TD pass to [player_tooltip player_id='1818125' first='Kamdyn' last='Miller'], and he also rushed for 39 yards. Miller is 100-for-150 for 1,456 yards on the season and only has one interception. He protects the ball, gets it to his backs and receivers in a good spot to make a play and manages the game well. Dai'shon Watkins-Hymes [player_tooltip player_id='1706651' first='Corey' last='Cole'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1816831' first='Tre'gan' last='Mickler'] have all been playmakers in the passing game.   The Dutch Fork offense is averaging 37 points per game, and some are saying it's been a down year for the offense. [player_tooltip player_id='1823705' first='Jaxon' last='Knotts'] is completing nearly 65 percent of his passes, and he's thrown for 2,046 yards in his first season as a starter. Knotts is third on the team in rushing with 373 yards. Quinton Wilson missed several games but has returned and is the second leading rusher with 487 yards and 11 touchdowns in just seven games. [player_tooltip player_id='1818103' first='Kyle' last='Henry'] has 602 yards to lead the way. Receiver Brayden Johnson has 33 rushing attempts and he's scored six times. [player_tooltip player_id='568697' first='Stone' last='Furrey'] has been banged up for a few weeks, but he still leads the pass-catchers with 35 receptions for 667 yards and five touchdowns. The person that makes it all go up front is sophomore center [player_tooltip player_id='1151291' first='Brody' last='Lorenzo'], a sophomore that is at the top of the 2028 PrepRedZone rankings. Dorman's [player_tooltip player_id='402497' first='Kentavion' last='Anderson'], linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1592369' first='Jordan' last='Darby'] and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1639739' first='Christian' last='Waring'] will try to slow the Dutch Fork attack.   Starting Lineups   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Dutch Fork Offense</td><td>Dorman Defense</td><td>Dorman Offense</td><td>Dutch Fork Defense</td></tr><tr><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1823705' first='Jaxon' last='Knotts']</td><td>DE [player_tooltip player_id='1706746' first='Nehemiah' last='Miller']</td><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='340230' first='Meek' last='Slydell']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1592529' first='Julian' last='Walker']</td></tr><tr><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1818103' first='Kyle' last='Henry']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1664615' first='Zavion' last='Meadows']</td><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1664350' first='Nick' last='Means']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1700244' first='Hunter' last='Colegrove']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='568697' first='Stone' last='Furrey']</td><td>DT [player_tooltip player_id='1639739' first='Christian' last='Waring']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1706651' first='Corey' last='Cole']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1463245' first='Luciano' last='Cesario']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='312450' first='Braydon' last='Johnson']</td><td>DE [player_tooltip player_id='1702151' first='James' last='Porter']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1820152' first='Holden' last='Flynn']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='409882' first='Jaden' last='Wuerth']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1821101' first='Chase' last='Betts']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1818140' first='Antwone' last='Tarrence']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1816831' first='Tre'gan' last='Mickler']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters']</td></tr><tr><td>TE [player_tooltip player_id='1821099' first='Landon' last='Collins']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1592369' first='Jordan' last='Darby']</td><td>TE [player_tooltip player_id='1818125' first='Kamdyn' last='Miller']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1821104' first='Jackson' last='Stengel']</td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1664559' first='Niran' last='Ford']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='402497' first='Kentavion' last='Anderson']</td><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1822667' first='Nate' last='Gambrell']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1777821' first='Ethan' last='Moze']</td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1821118' first='Randy' last='Goodson']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1708614' first='Jabez' last='Thomas']</td><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1822663' first='Nathan' last='Chhoy']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1734522' first='Mario' last='Anderson']</td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1151291' first='Brody' last='Lorenzo']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1820158' first='Dai'Shion' last='Watkins-Hymes']</td><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1822662' first='Jessie' last='Rosales'] </td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1823707' first='Sebastian' last='Lake']</td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1592665' first='Jordan' last='Roseborough']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1822664' first='Micah' last='Savage']</td><td>OL Mykel Jones</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1821952' first='Kareem' last='Dupree']</td></tr><tr><td>OL Jamez Hutcherson</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1818577' first='Aiden' last='Brown']</td><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1820151' first='DJ' last='Walker']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1595010' first='Taddrick' last='Gibson']</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   Matchup Within the Matchup: The outcome might be determined if the Dorman offensive tackles in [player_tooltip player_id='1822667' first='Nate' last='Gambrell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1820151' first='DJ' last='Walker'] can handle the edge rushers of [player_tooltip player_id='1592529' first='Julian' last='Walker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='409882' first='Jaden' last='Wuerth'] and a strong pass rush. Walker, a Michigan commit, is downright unblockable at times and leads the team with 59 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. His running mate is Wuerth and he's made his first season with the Silver Foxes a memorable one. The junior has 50 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Walker is 6-foot-6, 230 pounds with Wuerth checking in at 6-foot-3, 270 pounds.  Gambrell and Walker are listed at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds and 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, respectively, on the Cavaliers depth chart.   Underclassman Impact: Dutch Fork freshman TJ Gibson has stepped in and made an immediate impact on a secondary that starts only one senior in Anderson. Gibson is tied with Anderson for the team-lead with three interceptions. He's played in all 11 games and is eighth on the team with 30 tackles to go along with five breakups. He's going to have to help against the run but can't get caught napping    NO. 6 JAMES ISLAND (12-1) AT NO. 5 SUMMERVILLE (11-2)   You look at the seeding for the Lower State Championship, and you might think this is an unexpected matchup. But that's far from the case and just looking back at the regular season and you know why. These two teams finished in a three-way tie for the Region 8-5A title with Ashley Ridge and the Swamp Foxes won the tiebreaker, pushing the Green Wave and Trojans down in the pecking order.   The Trojans only loss came at Summerville on October 10. Defense ruled the day in that contest with both teams struggling to establish much offensively in the 14-9 Green Wave victory. Now they meet again with a lot more on the line than a region title.   James Island is the newcomer, having lost in the second round in 2024 and Summerville played Dutch Fork for a state title last season. They avenged that loss this season against Sumter and have been one of the highest scoring offenses in the playoffs with a total of 135 points in three games. Touchstone Energy North-South selection [player_tooltip player_id='1592342' first='Connor' last='Dantzler'] has had a lot to do with that. In three playoff games, he's 59-of-90 for 944, 11 touchdowns and one interception. Add in 95 yards rushing and three touchdowns and he's a good reason the Trojans are still playing. Tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1664605' first='Sam' last='Crumpton'] (13 catches, 234 yards, TD) and receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1822902' first='James' last='Hurteau'] (17 catches, 135 yards, 5 TDs) and [player_tooltip player_id='874321' first='Raphael' last='Puiu'] (15 catches, 415 yards and 5 TD) have been the main targets. Puiu is dangerous in the return game as well. James Island has allowed some points in the postseason (77 total), but don't let that shy away from the fact they only allowed 86 points in the first 11 games of the season.  Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1274260' first='Bryson' last='Bowers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822901' first='Harper' last='Woods'] can play with anyone. Defensive backs [player_tooltip player_id='1894002' first='Zamarius' last='Gladden'] (six interceptions) and [player_tooltip player_id='1820392' first='Jayseyvion' last='Brown'] are as good against the pass as they are against the run.   “I would say that everyone has stepped and done their job,” Dantzler said. “The whole team has come together since that loss to Summerville. Chemistry between the receivers and I as well as the offensive linemen and the running backs has gotten a lot better.”   The Green Wave were held in check for the most part in the first meeting with the Trojans but it's a loaded and experienced group. [player_tooltip player_id='1734517' first='Max' last='Stafford'] seems to be entrenched at quarterback now and his play has improved down the stretch. And the weapons around him are on a lot of the Power 4 recruiting short lists. [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'] can hurt you in a lot of ways, but receiver is the primary spot based on his 60 catches for 917 yards and 13 touchdowns through 12 games. [player_tooltip player_id='1061146' first='Teru' last='Davis'] and Jaelyn Pounds are more than capable targets, and both are underclassmen like Kelly-Murray. [player_tooltip player_id='1215391' first='Jayven' last='Williams'] (1,534 yards, 19 touchdowns) and [player_tooltip player_id='1432172' first='Cameron' last='Grayson'] (566 yards, 12 touchdowns) make a great 1-2 punch at running back. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1267285' first='JT' last='Williams'] [player_tooltip player_id='1816968' first='Eli' last='Pressley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1061094' first='Jaylen' last='Pryor'] fly all over the field. That allows [player_tooltip player_id='1816961' first='Demarcus' last='King'] (eight sacks) to pressure the quarterback and [player_tooltip player_id='1822309' first='Josiah' last='Taylor'] (four interceptions) to play freely in the secondary. Starting Lineups   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Summerville Offense</td><td>James Island Defense</td><td>James Island Offense</td><td>Summerville Defense</td></tr><tr><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1734517' first='Max' last='Stafford']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1819177' first='Tony' last='Forrest']</td><td>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1592342' first='Connor' last='Dantzler']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='402500' first='Malachi' last='Washington']</td></tr><tr><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1215391' first='Jayven' last='Williams']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1821613' first='Dawson' last='Wilson']</td><td>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1820391' first='Malakhi' last='Washington']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1615021' first='Dexter' last='Chavous']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1896110' first='Rob' last='Grant']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='874321' first='Raphael' last='Puiu']</td><td>DL [player_tooltip player_id='379092' first='David' last='Hall']</td></tr><tr><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1061146' first='Teru' last='Davis']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1822901' first='Harper' last='Woods']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1822902' first='James' last='Hurteau']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1816961' first='Demarcus' last='King']</td></tr><tr><td>WR Jaelyn Pounds</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1274260' first='Bryson' last='Bowers']</td><td>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1895719' first='Jordan' last='Kendrick']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1816968' first='Eli' last='Pressley']</td></tr><tr><td>TE [player_tooltip player_id='1822313' first='Cooper' last='Gaskins']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1819173' first='Tru' last='Wallace-Gordon']</td><td>TE [player_tooltip player_id='1664605' first='Sam' last='Crumpton']</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1267285' first='JT' last='Williams']</td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1816958' first='Quinn' last='Cook']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1818952' first='Paul' last='Taylor']</td><td>OL Jimmy Jones</td><td>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1061094' first='Jaylen' last='Pryor']</td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1819779' first='Jahmarion' last='Lott']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1491926' first='Burns' last='travis']</td><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1036776' first='Israel' last='Harris']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1267287' first='Jordan' last='Ravenell']</td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1822312' first='Daniel' last='Krantz']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1820393' first='Sammy' last='Mckelvey']</td><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1817512' first='Kadyn' last='Vincent']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1822309' first='Josiah' last='Taylor']</td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1271589' first='Christian' last='Hewett']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1894002' first='Zamarius' last='Gladden']</td><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1819174' first='BRENNAN' last='HAMMOND']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray']</td></tr><tr><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1819778' first='Nolan' last='Giet']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1819181' first='Antuan' last='Prioleau']</td><td>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1668867' first='Demontrai' last='Cooper']</td><td>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1822314' first='William' last='Flores']</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   Matchup Within the Matchup: James Island defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1896110' first='Rob' last='Grant'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1820397' first='Sinclair' last='Wright'] have improved with each game of the season. Those two were right in the mix when they stopped Sumter on fourth-and-1 at the goal line in the second overtime to come away with the victory. Now they get another shot at a Summerville offensive front that includes [player_tooltip player_id='1816958' first='Quinn' last='Cook'] [player_tooltip player_id='1819779' first='Jahmarion' last='Lott'] [player_tooltip player_id='1822312' first='Daniel' last='Krantz'] [player_tooltip player_id='1271589' first='Christian' last='Hewett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1819778' first='Nolan' last='Giet'] going left to right across the front.   Underclassman Impact: Summerville will give Crumpton, Hurteau and Puiu plenty of attention and that might allow sophomore receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1895719' first='Jordan' last='Kendrick'] to make some plays. He's been very capable this season and is fourth on the team with 28 receptions for 439 yards and three touchdowns. He could potentially be a sleeper in the second meeting between two teams that offense was very limited the first time.

We can't honestly say we're surprised at the matchups we're going to see in the Class 5A, Division I state semifinals. It almost seemed destined that we would get Dorman at Dutch Fork and because the Upper State bracket was mostly chalk, that's exactly what we're going to get the Friday after Thanksgiving.