“We want River Bluff!”

Over the past 3 weeks, Gilbert High School fans have made that confident chant towards the end of a football team victory.

After victories this past Friday to both improve to 5-0, the Indians and the Gators are among the four remaining undefeated in Chronicle Country along with fellow Lexington District 1 school White Knoll and 3-time defending Class 5A champion Dutch Fork.

This Friday in The Swamp, the Indian fans will get their long-awaited wish. Gilbert and River Bluff will face off in what will be the 2 teams’ final non-region contest.

The matchup is being billed as the Indians’ explosive offense versus the Gators’ dominating run game and stifling defense. Gilbert averages 48.5 points and 532.6 yards a contest led by senior quarterback Jy Tolen (100-147 passing, 1544 yards, 17 TDs, 1 INT).

River Bluff has allowed an average of 7 points, forced 5 turnovers and held opponents to 108 yards a contest. Meanwhile, Shrine Bowl running back Braden Walker has rushed for 293 of his 460 yards in the last 2 games and accounted for River Bluff’s 2 touchdowns in the 14-7 win over Irmo.

The Gators hold a 3-2 lead in the series, including last year’s 42-30 victory in Gilbert. The Indians, however, have won 2 of the last 3 meetings. A win for Gilbert would give it a 3-0 mark over Region 5-5A teams dating back to the preseason. They defeated White Knoll 21-7 at the Lexington Sportsarama and Lexington 31-14 on Sept. 6.

THURSDAY MORNING

QUARTERBACK

TEAM OF THE WEEK - Swansea

The Tigers picked up their first win of the season and 1st for new head coach Brent Wilder in the 33-12 win over Calhoun County.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Aveon Smith (White Knoll)

It was the 2nd most prolific scoring performance in South Carolina history. the Miami, (Ohio) commitment threw 5 touchdowns, rushed for 4 scores and amassed 450 total yards in the 68-42 win over Gray Collegiate. Read more on B3.

WEEK 4 GRIDIRON GIANTS

Nanders Lawrence (Airport) - 168 total yards, 2 TDs

Markco Gilmore (Airport) - 3 TDs (2 passing, 1 rushing)

Tre Robinson (Batesburg-Leesville) - 219 total yards, 3 TDs (2 passing, 1 rushing)

KeShoun Williams (B-L) - 7 receptions, 101 yards, 2 TDs

Roger Pedroni (Chapin) - 286 total yards, 5 TDs (3 passing, 2 rushing)

Zavier Short (Chapin) - 9 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TDS

Ty Olenchuk (Dutch Fork) - 204 passing yards, 2 TDs

Jalin Hyatt (Dutch Fork) - 5 receptions, 135 yards, 2 TDs

Jonathan Hall (Dutch Fork) - 97 rushing yards, 4 TDs

Savion Holmes (Dutch Fork) - 3 sacks

Hunter Helms (GCA) - 412 passing yards, 3 TDs

Omarian Dolleson (GCA) - 12 receptions, 209 yards, 3 TDs

K.Z. Adams (GCA) - 173 total yards, 2 TDs

Taylor Mathias (Lexington) - 73 rushing yards, 3 TDs

Ahmed Bynem-Scott (Lexington) - 178 rushing yards

M.J. Reed (Swansea) - 175 rushing yards, 2 TDs

Pryce Whitten (Swansea) - 126 passing yards, TD

T.J. Peeples (White Knoll) - 139 rushing yards