Last season started very unusual for the Dutch Fork Silver Foxes. The team began the year 2-5, but by the end, it transformed back into the dominant 5A powerhouse Lexington County knows so well.

This season, Dutch Fork returns many of the starters from last year’s group and has a bit of extra motivation.

“Whoever picked us fifth or third or whatever I’m seeing around, I like the extra motivation that gives us,” head coach Tom Knotts said. “Somebody doesn’t know very much about football because to bet against this group of seniors is probably a little bit foolish.”

The Silver Foxes were ranked fifth in the latest 5A preseason poll from High School Sports Report. The team is behind Gaffney, Summerville, Spartanburg and Northwestern. Only one of those schools has ever knocked Dutch Fork off its 5A throne. That was Gaffney in 2021.

With massive realignment taking place across the state, the Silver Foxes will have one new opponent waiting for them in region play. Cross-town rival Irmo is off an appearance in the 4A state semifinal and will look to compete in a loaded region with Dutch Fork.

“I only know about Dutch Fork,” Knotts said. “I don’t know a thing about Irmo, Lexington, River Bluff or anybody else. All I know about is Dutch Fork. I don’t make it a habit of paying attention to what other people are doing. My focus is solely on this team and our future teams, trying to get everybody ready for this year, and then, preparing those underclassmen who are going to be backups and JVs.”

This Dutch Fork group will be led primarily by seniors. Two years ago, a lot of those kids were on JV where Knotts said they dominated.

“They were undefeated, outscored everybody about 400 to 20. It was a special group of JVs,” Knotts said. “That JV group, they would have finished second in our region to us. They would have won some other regions around the state. That’s how good they are, and we’ve got all of those kids now as seniors.”

Offense

Returning on offense is senior running back Maurice Anderson. He recorded 15 touchdowns last season, including four during the team’s run to the championship game.

“He’s a bull and he can run,” Knotts said.

At receiver, the team will rely on seniors Boykin Bickley, KJ Smith and Jayden Westbrook. Bickley will be lined up as the X receiver and Smith will be the team’s Wildcat quarterback when Dutch Fork decides to get tricky.

All three played at least eight games for Dutch Fork last season. They will look to build off that year heading into their final season of high school football.

“They have offers, they can run and they can catch,” Knotts said. “Hopefully they’ll block a little bit, and we’ll get this thing rolling.”

On the offensive line, Dutch Fork is bringing back three veteran starters. Joshua Benson will use his 6-foot-6’’, 305-pound frame to help lead the blocking brigade. Cayden McFadden will shift back to the line after starting there his sophomore season but transitioning to tight end last year. And Ky-mani Mcleish will round out the group of returning starters. Joining them will be John Griffin, who started the championship game for the team as a center.

Leading the entire offensive unit will be junior quarterback Ethan Offing. Last season, Offing got plenty of playing time after the team’s starter battled injuries throughout the year. Knotts described him as a blue-chip quarterback who has the potential to be great.

“I think he’s got a chance to be special if he’ll really put his heart and soul into football,” Knotts said. “I’ve always known what kind of ability he has. Now, it’s just up to him to master the scheme and let the scheme and the playbook work for him. He’s a special athlete, he’s got a special arm and he can do great things with football. Throw that junior in with the mix of seniors we got on offense, we’re pretty good.”

Defense and Special Teams

Dutch Fork’s defense will be a mix of new and returning players.

Defensive backs Elgin Sessions and Derek Smith bring experience and talent. Sessions is a West Virginia commit and recorded 39 tackles, four tackles for loss, four interceptions, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery last season. Smith played in all 15 games last season and had 47 total tackles.

Newcomer Malichi Smith transferred in from Irmo and will join Sessions and Smith in the secondary.

The Silver Foxes are also bringing back last season’s 5A championship MVP Raleigh Salters at linebacker. He will play alongside Josh Smith, whom Knotts said was a do-it-all guy last year.

The entire defensive line will look different from the group that started games last year. Knotts said the group will be led by Julian Walker, who has received a few college offers. Other than that, it is a strong position battle with about six guys who could step into a starting spot.

“When you got six, that creates a lot of competition,” Knotts said. “So, those guys are really battling hard to see who walks out on the field first.”

Despite the talent, they still have a long way to go before they are ready for the season.

“Everybody thinks they’re Aaron Donald, and that’s just not the case,” Knotts said. “We got a very specific way we want them to play, and so far, they’re not adhering or buying into that. … We’re working hard on getting them to understand what their responsibility is, and then, play with that ability that they’ve got.”

Kickers Joe Buetow and Justin Welch are back for their senior season. Buetow is the team’s kickoff specialist who had about a 50% touchback rate in 2023. Welch is the field goal kicker, and he nailed some clutch kicks that kept the Silver Foxes alive in the playoffs.

“I feel really good about this team,” Knotts said. “We got a lot of guys that can really play, and I’m just looking forward to the start of the season.” 

Schedule 

Week 1 - at Spartanburg - Aug. 30

Week 2 - at Ridge View - Sept. 6

Week 3 - vs. Gray Collegiate - Sept. 13

Week 4 - vs. Oceanside Collegiate - Sept. 20

Week 6 - at Chapin - Oct. 4

Week 7 - vs. White Knoll - Oct. 11

Week 8 - at Lexington - Oct. 18

Week 9 - at River Bluff - Oct. 25

Week 10 - vs. Irmo -  Nov. 1