Week two of the high school football season is in the books, and 12 Lexington County teams were in action across 11 different games. 

With most teams having three games under their belts, a clearer picture of where everyone is and what they want to focus on improving is starting to emerge. 

Below are some of the most notable storylines from week two of Lexington County high school football. 

Lexington County teams drop close ones

Last week was much better than the previous week when it came to blowouts. Unfortunately, most Lexington County teams were on the wrong side of close competitions.

Local teams dropped five games decided by one possession last week. Dutch Fork was the only team to win a close game. Irmo, Gray Collegiate, White Knoll and Swansea won by two or more possessions. 

Chapin dropped a defensive back-and-forth against Spring Valley. The Eagles lost the game 7-6 and fell to 0-3 this season. 

It has been a struggle for Chapin’s offense. The team has scored just 12 points through its first three games while allowing 85.

Lexington almost came back from multiple possessions to defeat Midland Valley, but conceded a game-winning touchdown in the closing minutes. The Wildcats have lost their last two games at home after starting the year with a win at Gilbert. 

River Bluff fell to Nation Ford 20-17. The Gators led all game until the final 43 seconds when the Falcons connected on a go-ahead touchdown pass. 

Running back Hayden Myers ran for over 200 yards in the win. 

American Leadership and Batesburg-Leesville also dropped close ones for their first losses of the season. The Patriots fell to Clear Dot Charter 22-19, and the Panthers lost to Abbeville 23-15, following a few costly mistakes. 

3 local teams win to remain unbeaten

While it was a tough week for most, three Lexington County teams picked up a win to stay undefeated this season. Dutch Fork, Irmo and Swansea are a combined 8-0 this season, after adding wins last week. 

The Silver Foxes survived a thriller against Ridge View to improve to 2-0 this season. First-year starting quarterback Jaxon Knotts ran in the go-ahead touchdown on third down from 25 yards out to seal the win. 

Dutch Fork has now won 24 games in a row dating back to 2023. The Silver Foxes will test themselves again this week with a game against Lexington County’s Gray Collegiate. 

Irmo dominated defensively in a win over Charlotte’s Butler. These two teams met in Charlotte last season in a game that came down to an overtime score.

Their meeting this season was not nearly as close as the Yellow Jackets ran away with it early on. Jaiden Bryant returned an interception and a fumble for a touchdown in the first five minutes, helping Irmo jump out to a 29-0 halftime lead. 

Swansea continue to shine under head coach Willie Fox. In the previous four seasons before Fox’s arrival, the Tigers went 5-31. In the two years since he’s taken the job, Swansea is 10-4. 

The team is coming off another blowout win, this time beating Wagener-Salley 35-0. Through three games, Swansea is outscoring its competition 138-7. 

Swansea will take the field this week against another undefeated local team. Pelion was off last week, so it enters the matchup 2-0. 

5A-Region 4 has another mediocre week

It’s been a very different start to the season for the six Lexington County teams in 5A-Region 4. Last year, the teams went a combined 36-5 against teams from elsewhere around the state. So far this season, the six teams are 9-6.

Dutch Fork and Irmo are still looking strong, but the rest of the league has seen some fall off. 

White Knoll dropped its first game of the season to Camden, but has recovered nicely with wins over Sumter and Brookland-Cayce. 

Lexington dropped its last two games to fall to 1-3 early in the first season under head coach Stewart Young. 

River Bluff is also 1-2 under their new head coach, Perry Parks. 

Chapin has had the toughest time of the bunch, sitting at 0-3 while getting blown out in two of its first three games. 

There are a few weeks left before these teams are set to face each other in the region season. From there, it becomes an all-out battle for wins and better playoff seeding. 

Last week’s big performances 

Jaiden Bryant scored two defensive touchdowns in Irmo’s win versus Butler. 

Trevon Williamson ran in three touchdowns for Gray Collegiate in a win over Marlboro County.

Kendall Wright threw two touchdowns in Swansea’s shutout victory over Wagener-Salley. 

Tiyon Fanning ran into the endzone twice during White Knoll’s big win against Brookland-Cayce. 

Week 3 games to watch 

River Bluff vs. Gilbert

Irmo vs. Carolina Forest

Swansea vs. Pelion

Batesburg-Leesville at Lower Richland

Week 2 scoreboard

Spring Valley: 7, Chapin: 6

Dutch Fork: 28, Ridge View: 21

Irmo: 42. Butler (N.C.): 14

Midland Valley: 21, Lexington: 17

Nation Ford: 20, River Bluff: 17

White Knoll: 49, Brookland-Cayce: 13

Orangeburg-Wilkinson: 40, Airport: 0

Gray Collegiate: 27, Marlboro County: 14

Swansea: 35, Wagener-Salley: 0

Clear Dot: 22, American Leadership: 19

Abbeville: 23, Batesburg-Leesville: 15