Dutch Fork Reclaims Top Spot in Class 5A Poll

Dutch Fork and head coach Tom Knotts would  prefer ending the 2022 season at number one.

This week, the Silver Foxes can claim  the unanimous top honor in Class 5A by the S.C. Prep Football Media Poll.

The 27-24 season-opening win over Hough (N.C.) enabled Dutch Fork to usurp the top spot from defending champion Gaffney, which dropped to seventh following its 47-26 loss to Class 4A number one South Pointe.

The Silver Foxes head Upstate for a Week One contest against ninth ranked Spartanburg as they look to extend their 39-game undefeated regular-season streak and 35-game winning streak in road games.

In Class 4A, Irmo cracked the Top 10 for the first time this season following the 22-11 win over Chapin. While the Irmo schools moved up, defending Class 2A Gray Collegiate dropped to third in its classification following the Week Zero loss at sister school Oceanside Collegiate.

Brookland-Cayce also dropped in Class 3A to 10^th following its loss to J.F. Byrnes. This allowed Gilbert to move up a notch to seventh prior to its season-opener at Batesburg-Leesville.

The rivalry matchup is the WACH Sonic Friday Night Rivals Game of the Week. It can be watched on Channel 1250 on Spectrum and www.wach.com

S.C. Prep Football Media Poll

Class 5A

1. Dutch Fork (19)
2. Fort Dorchester
3. Hilcrest
4. Byrnes
5. Dorman
6. Sumter
7. Gaffney
8. TL Hanna
9. Spartanburg 
10. Spring Valley

Others receiving votes: Lexington, Mauldin, Summerville, River Bluff, Clover, Nation Ford, West Ashley

      Class 4A

1. South Pointe (17)
2. Northwestern (2)
3. AC Fora
4. West Florence
5. South Florence
6. Hartsville
7. Greenville
8. Westside
9. Greenwood
10. (tie) Irmo
11. (tie) Ridge View

Others receiving votes: Catawba Ridge, Myrtle Beach, South Aiken, York, Indian Land, James Island, Riverside 

      Class 3A

     1. Daniel (16)

2. Camden (3)
3. Dillon
4. Powdersville
5. Clinton
6. Beaufort
7. Gilbert
8. Woodruff
9. Seneca
10. Brookland-Cayce

Others receiving votes: Philip Simmons, Hanahan, Union County, Wren, Chester, Aynor, Blue Ridge, Swansea, Chapman, Palmetto, Crestwood, Emerald

     Class 2A

1. Abbeville (6)
2. Oceanside Collegiate (10)
3. (tie) Saluda
4. (tie) Gray Collegiate (3)
5. (tie) Cheraw
6. Barnwell
7. Fairfield Central
8. Silver Bluff
9. Marion
10. Wade Hampton

Others receiving votes: Newberry, Andrew Jackson, Buford, Woodland, Kingstree, Pelion, Mid-Carolina, Chesterfield, Crescent, Timberland, Bishop England