THE SHOWDOWN IN ‘THE SWAMP’ THURSDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

From team records, River Bluff’s football team stands on equal ground with Dutch Fork.

Friday’s game in “The Swamp” has a “David vs. Goliath” feel.

On one side are the upstart Gators enjoying their best start in school history at 5-0.

Opposing them are the 2-time defending Region 5-5A and Class 5A champion Silver Foxes who are also 5-0.

Dutch Fork has won 17 consecutive region and overall games, 14 straight road games dating back to Oct. 13, 2015, outscored their 5 opponents 320-42 and are ranked 21st in this week’s USA Today High School Sports Super 25.

“This type of game is going to measure kind of where our program is right now,” second-year River Bluff head coach Blair Hardin said. “We’re young and facing a program that has tons of tradition and knows how to win. So, it’s obviously going to be a huge challenge.

“But we’re going to stay true to who we are. We met some of the kids and they have a good, upbeat attitude. We’re going to treat it as a normal work week. But, we know we have a massive challenge in front of us.”

Dutch Fork has won the previous two meetings against River Bluff. In last year’s matchup, the Silver Foxes held the Gators to 141 total yards and amassed 526 yards in a 49-9 victory. “River Bluff’s got it turned around, so they’ll be a good challenge for us,” said Dutch Fork head coach Tom Knotts after a 70-7 win over Chapin. “They run a unique offense. We’ve got to do what we’re suppose to.” Coming off a ‘bye’ week, Hardin said staying close early will be a key against Dutch Fork. Quarterback Ty Olenchuk has opened the scoring for the Silver Foxes with a touchdown pass in all 5 games. A victory by Dutch Fork would move it closer to a 3rd straight Region 5-5A title with 3 games left. Should River Bluff win, the effect on the team would be indescribable. “This does have big implications not only in our region, but facing a team like Dutch Fork, we’re just going to stay true to who we are and do our job,” Hardin said.

TMQB TEAM OF THE WEEK

- Gray Collegiate Academy

The War Eagles picked up argubly their biggest win in the program’s brief history. They upended defending Class A champion Lamar 38-12, handing the Silver Foxes their first home loss in five years and ending their 18-game win streak. Gray Collegiate returns to action Thursday at newly-refurbished Memorial Stadium against Columbia in the Region 3-2A opener.

TMQB PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Cal Herndon (Lexington)

The first-year starting quarterback accounted for 109 rushing yards and 2 TDs and 134 passing yards and 2 TDs, both to Elliott Herndon, in the 42-21 road win over White Knoll.

WEEK 6 GRIDIRON GIANTS

Josh Goodman (Airport) - 2 rushing TDs Brandon Caughman (Airport) - passing TD, rushing TD Reed Charpia (Brookland-Cayce) - 362 passing yards and 3TDs, 2 rushing TDs. Gio Macaluso (Chapin) - 149 total

yards (114 on kick returns) Ty Olenchuk (Dutch Fork) - 310 passing yards, 4 TDs Jonathan Hall (Dutch Fork) - 185 rushing yards, 3 TDs Ron Hoff (Dutch Fork) - 94 rushing yards, 2 TDs Jalin Hyatt (Dutch Fork) - 6 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TDs Josh Strickland (Gilbert) - 135 passing yards, TD Matt Reed (Gilbert) - 8 receptions, 130 yards, TD Omarian Dolleson (Irmo) - 121 rushing yards, TD, 22-yard TD reception John Ragin (Irmo) - 102 rushing yards, Okachi Emmanwori (Irmo) - 11 tackles, blocked PAT & 33-yard fumble recovery TD Logan Cripe (Lexington) - 16 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, sack Keenan Coats (Swansea) - 142 passing yards, TD Aveon Smith (White Knoll) - 183 rushing yards, TD; 99 passing yards, 2 TDs Jamias Holloway (White Knoll) - 140 total yards, TD Devin Jones (White Knoll) - 12 tackles, sack David Kinard (White Knoll) - 11 tackles

BY THE NUMBERS

Dutch Fork has scored 21 or more points in a quarter seven out of 20 quarters this season. The Silver Foxes have scored 50 or more points 7 times during their 17-game winning streak and 70 or more points twice. Quarterback Ty Olenchuk has completed 79-107 passes for 1,400 yards and 17 TDs...Lexington extended its all-time series advantage over White Knoll to 14-5 and has won the last 7 meetings in the Wolf’s Den...Gray Collegiate quarterback Todd Helms has completed 136-205 passes for 1,518 yards and 12 TDs. White Knoll quarterback Aveon Smith has rushed for 732 yards and 12 TDs and is 111 yards shy of 1,000 passing yards to go with 11 TDs...Lexington linebacker Logan Cripe has 69 tackles in five games

SONIC FRIDAY NIGHT RIVALS

For the third time this season, it’s an All-Lexington County football matchup on WACH 57. The Columbia station will air its weekly Sonic Friday Night Rivals from Cecil Woolbright Field as host team Chapin (4-2, 0-1) faces White Knoll (4-2, 0-1). Both teams are coming off Region 5-5A opening losses. The series is tied at 1-1 with the Timberwolves winning the first meeting 18-6 in 2000 and the Eagles claiming the rematch a year later 34-13. The contest can be viewed on WACH 57.2/Spectrum Cable 1250 and streamed on www.wach.com and the WACH Fox App.