The opening week of the high school playoffs saw its share of dominating performances.

In Irmo, five-time defending Class 5A champion Dutch Fork continued its “Shoot for 6(0)” with a 56-0 win over Socastee. It was the 16th shutout victory for the Silver Foxes dating back to 2016 to go with its current ongoing streaks:

- 59 straight games without a loss

- 58 straight wins over instate teams

- 31 straight home games without a loss

- 30 straight home wins over in-state teams

- 25 consecutive postseason wins (a state record)

Friday’s second-round game against Cane Bay carries extra emotion. In a season dedicated to the late offensive lineman Jack Alkhatib, who wore number 60, reaching that number the next two weeks for their unbeaten and in-state winning streaks will only add further motivational fuel.

“Mudcat Football”

Another first-round shutout win was achieved last week at Wildcat Stadium. Lexington blanked Conway 24-0 for not only its first playoff victory since 2016, but its first shutout since 2019 against Dreher.

“We’re not the prettiest team to play, but we play physical football,” Lexington head football coach Perry Woolbright said. “We get after you on both sides of the ball. Coaches kind of got a saying going around right now, it’s called ‘Mudcat Football.’ We just slide up, get down and dirty and play in the dirt and get after it all night long.”

Eagles Soar in Grand Strand

The run of success by Region 5-5A teams extended to road team Chapin. Facing an injury-riddled Carolina Forest squad, the Eagles capitalized with a 50-14 victory over the Panthers.

Like Lexington, which travels to Goose Creek, the Eagles will go on the road again to face Fort Dorchester.

Road Warriors

Speaking of the road, both the Gilbert Indians and Irmo Yellow Jackets travel far, continuing season trends.

Irmo will make a season-long 240-mile round trip to Westside for its second round Class 4A contest. The Yellow Jackets have played five road games this season, going 3-2 and travelling a total of 376 miles.

Friday’s second-round clash with Oceanside Collegiate at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston is Gilbert’s seventh road game of the season.

The Indians have already logged 644 miles (round trip) for six road games. The trip to the Lowcountry and back will be an estimated 257 miles, a season high.

The shortest trip? A 48-mile round trip to Fort Knox Oct. 15 to face Brookland-Cayce.

Home for Round Two

The Bearcats’ 35-34 win handed Gilbert its only road loss of the season. It also helped Brookland-Cayce secure home field advantage throughout its run in the Class 3A playoffs. They will play host to Hanahan, a game that can be heard on The Dove 1320 AM (thedove1620.com).

Rounding out the remaining playoff participants is Gray Collegiate Academy. The second-ranked War Eagles (10-1) will play host to Crescent at Midlands Sports Complex in West Columbia.

A victory would set a new single-season record for wins by Gray Collegiate. It also sets up a possible third-round showdown with defending Class 2A champion Abbeville.

The two teams have met the past two postseasons, with the Panthers winning both meetings. This year, Gray Collegiate would be designated as the home team.

First Round Gridiron Giants

Deshaun Washington (Brookland-Cayce) - 3 TDs

Jayden Bradford (Chapin) - 209 total yards, 3 TDs (2 passing, 1 rushing)

Bennett Galloway (Chapin) - 245 total yards, 4 TDs (3 rushing, 1 receiving)

Ryan Norwood (Chapin) - 14 tackles

Jarvis Green (Dutch Fork) - 147 total yards, 3 TDs (2 rushing, 1 passing)

Davin Patterson (Dutch Fork) - 267 passing yards, 3 TDs

Antonio Williams (Dutch Fork) - 5 receptions, 256 total yards, 3 TDs (1 rushing, 1 receiving, 1 punt return)

Dutch Fork defense - 112 total yards allowed versus Socastee

Chance Jennings (Gilbert) - 135 passing yards, 2 TDs

Jaden Allen-Hendrix (Gilbert) - 105 rushing yards, 2 TDs Alias Graham-Woodberry (Gilbert) - 109

Alias Graham-Woodberry (Gilbert) - 109 rushing yards, 2 TDs

Gage Gunter (Gilbert) - 3 receptions, 111 yards, 2 TDs

KZ Adams (Gray Collegiate) - 255 rushing yards, 5 TDs

Riley Staton (Gray Collegiate) - 2 passing TDs

Devin Johnson (Gray Collegiate) - 2 receiving TDs

DeAree Rodgers (Irmo) - 2 TDs (1 receiving, 1 rushing)

Keshawn Gladden (Lexington) - 92 rushing yards, 3 TDs

Lexington defense - 97 total yards allowed versus Conway

Landon Sharpe (White Knoll) - 239 passing yards, TD

Jalen Watson (White Knoll) - 3 receptions, 111 yards, TD

Mr. 2,000

Gray Collegiate senior running back and “Mr. S.C. Football” finalist KZ Adams entered rarified air last week. His performance against North Central gave the Georgia State commit a state-leading 2,200 rushing yards on the season to go with 30 touchdowns in 11 games.

1,000-yard Club Chapin’s Bennett Galloway

Chapin’s Bennett Galloway became the fourth Chronicle Country running back to surpass 1,000 yards. Eagle teammate Zavier Short is 102 yards shy of joining Irmo’s DeAree Rodgers and Dutch Fork’s Antonio Williams as 1,000-yard receivers.

All-Chronicle Country Fall Sports Nominations

We are currently accepting nominations for the All-Lexington Chronicle teams for volleyball (due Nov. 21), golf (due Nov. 28) and football (due Dec. 19). They can be submitted to chroniclesports@yahoo.com.