What We Saw: Dutch Fork 24, Spartanburg 0

Chris Dearing December 6, 2024 @ 10:38 PM

IRMO | Something happened with 13 seconds remaining in Dutch Fork's 24-0 win over Spartanburg on a frigid, cold Friday night, that made it evident what has made the Silver Foxes so successful during the Tom Knotts era.   The Vikings were at the Dutch Fork 23-yard line and looking to avoid the shutout and Knotts was standing on the sideline yelling at his defensive unit not to allow Spartanburg into the end zone. [player_tooltip player_id='1012706' first='Josh' last='Smith'] and Daniel Williams ended the game with back-to-back sacks and Dutch Fork recorded its sixth shutout of the season, a new school record.   “It's just a testament to our preparedness and the work we put in during the week and then how we execute on game days,” Smith, a recent South Carolina signee, said. “This is something we've been looking forward to. This is the best defense Dutch Fork has ever seen in my opinion and it's just great we have the record. This was a goal.”   Dutch Fork (12-0) will face Summerville in the Class 5A, Division I State Championship next Friday at 2 pm at South Carolina State's Oliver C Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg. The Green Wave knocked off Sumter, 35-6, in the other state semifinal. Knotts is a perfect 12-0 in state semifinal games since arriving at Dutch Fork. He is 8-3 in state championship games.   It was a defensive type of night with the temperatures around freezing at kickoff. Smith led the charge with 10 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. In total, Dutch Fork limited Spartanburg to just 161 yards of total offense. It was a similar result from when these teams played late in August when the Vikings finished with 130 yards in that game.   Junior defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1592529' first='Julian' last='Walker'] added four tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Tyler Norris added another Silver Foxes sack to give Dutch Fork six for the night. They also finished with eight tackles for loss. [player_tooltip player_id='1734522' first='Mario' last='Anderson'] added an interception and four tackles.   The offense did what it needed to do in the first quarter before turning it over to the defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267290' first='Ethan' last='Offing'], who threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 93 yards and a score, started things on the second play of the game. He connected with [player_tooltip player_id='1360308' first='Boykin' last='Bickley'] on a 71-yard touchdown to give them a 7-0 lead just 59 seconds off the clock.   The second drive took seven plays – including a 43-yard pass from Offing to Bickley – that ended when Offing connected with [player_tooltip player_id='1013047' first='KJ' last='Smith'] on a 10-yard touchdown pass.   “The two long passes to Bickley sort of set the tone,” Knotts said. “It took them out of what they wanted to do.”   Bickley finished with 164 yards receiving on four catches. [player_tooltip player_id='1012701' first='Maurice' last='Anderson'] added 59 rushing yards on 17 carries and four receptions for 49 yards.   Spartanburg's defense allowed 449 yards but only allowed three TDs and a 21-yard [player_tooltip player_id='464892' first='Justin' last='Welch'] field goal. Shrine Bowl selection [player_tooltip player_id='624354' first='Cam'Rich' last='Smith'] finished with 13 tackles and Don Kinard added eight tackles. CJ Woodruff led the pass rush with 1.5 sacks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172345' first='Trenton' last='Lynch'] gained 57 hard fought yards on 10 carries. [player_tooltip player_id='1359184' first='Justin' last='Rice'] added three catches for 36 yards.

IRMO | Something happened with 13 seconds remaining in Dutch Fork's 24-0 win over Spartanburg on a frigid, cold Friday night, that made it evident what has made the Silver Foxes so successful during the Tom Knotts era.