In this shortened 2020 SC High School League football season, 3 Chronicle Country teams have already qualified for the playoffs.

Dutch Fork, Gilbert and Gray Collegiate Academy are all 3-0 with the victories taking place in region play. With teams only playing 6-7 regular-season games, only the top 2 teams from each region will make the post-season.

The Silver Foxes have 1 region game remaining Friday at Lexington and can clinch an 8th consecutive region title outright with a win. The Indians have 2 left, but can claim a 3rd Region 5-3A title in 4 years outright by defeating Strom Thurmond on the road.

Gray Collegiate can claim a 3rd straight region title with wins this week at Eau Claire and Newberry on Oct. 23.

TEAM OF THE WEEK - Gray Collegiate Academy

For the 2nd time in 3 years, the War Eagles upend a defending state champion on the road. This past Friday, the 5th ranked War Eagles defeated 4th ranked and Class 2A titleholder Saluda 34-24.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Colton Mason (Gilbert)

The senior running back set a school record with 314 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns and had an 11-yard TD catch in the 56-42 win over Brookland-Cayce.

GRIDIRON GIANTS

Peyton Whitten (Brookland-Cayce) - 174 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 rushing TD

Tanner Staton (Brookland-Cayce) - 146 passing yards, TD; 1 rushing TD

Skylar King (Brookland-Cayce) - 6 receptions, 112 yards; 8 tackles

Hunter Sheppard (Chapin) - 198 passing yards, TD

Bennett Galloway (Chapin) - 110 rushing yards, 3 TDs; 139 kick return yards

Zavier Short (Chapin) - 7 receptions, 95 yards, TD; 62 kick return yards

Will Taylor (Dutch Fork) - 334 passing yards, 4 TDs

Antonio Williams (Dutch Fork) - 10 receptions, 196 yards, 2 TDs; 55 punt return yards

Elijah Spencer (Dutch Fork) - 7 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TDs

Jarvis Green (Dutch Fork) - 127 rushing yards, TD

Tre Robinson (Gray Collegiate) - 2 rushing TDs; 1 passing TD

KZ Adams (Gray Collegiate) - 217 rushing yards, 2 TDs

Dylan Williams (Irmo) - 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD

Carlton Finney (Lexington) - 2 rushing TDs

Max McKenna (Northside Christian) - 190 passing yards, 3 TDs; 98 rushing yards

Charlie Compton (Northside Christian) - 9 receptions, 82 yards, TD

Jake Daniels (Northside Christian) - 6 receptions, 66 yards, 2 TDs

TJ Peeples (White Knoll) - 97 rushing yards

Kennedy Ramsey (White Knoll) -

THURSDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

213 passing yards, 2 TDs

DeAree Rogers (White Knoll) - 8 receptions, 138 yards, TD

Darius Derrick-Jones (White Knoll) - 9 receptions, 97 yards, TD

BY THE NUMBERS

Dutch Fork has a record of 57-1- 1 since 2016 and have posted 12 shutout victories during that span. It has gone 43 straight games without a loss, won 42 straight against South Carolina teams and have defeated 25 consecutive region teams and road opponents...Gilbert running back Colton Mason has rushed for 679 yards and 7 TDs...Chapin linebacker Sam Greer had 40 tackles. Teammate wide receiver Zavier Short has 20 receptions for 253 yards and 3 TDs...Dutch Fork quarterback Will Taylor has thrown for 869 yards and 12 TDs. Teammate wide receiver Elijah Spencer has 18 receptions for 399 yards and 7 TDs...Gray Collegiate running back KZ Adams has rushed for 618 yards and 5 TDs.

SCHEDULE UPDATES

Batesburg-Leesville announced its scheduled game against Columbia was moved to Oct. 30 and this Friday’s contest with Newberry will be moved to a different date. The Panthers return to action Oct. 23 against Saluda, the same date Swansea also comes back at Gilbert. Pelion will play its 1st game since Sept. 24 this Friday at Barnwell.

STADIUM RULES

Fans will have to follow different protocols in attending games this season: •Stadium capacity for Lexing

•Stadium capacity for Lexington District 1 will be at 20%. This means 1,000 fans maximum at Lexington, River Bluff and White Knoll and 800 for Gilbert and Pelion. Lexington District 2 and Lexington-Richland District 5 was approved for 50 percent stadium capacity.

• Masks are required at all times for outdoor high school sporting events. The SC High School League will permit the removal of masks for brief periods of time for eating and drinking.

•Social distancing will be enforced and fans will be asked to wear masks near others and at the concession stands.

•Fans are asked to pre-purchase tickets at their schools. If paying at the booth, fans are asked to bring exact change.

NOTE TO COACHES

Send your game statistics to chroniclesports@yahoo.com by Monday evening to help recognize your players in TMQB.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

(Start time is 7:30 pm)

Airport at South Aiken

Chapin at River Bluff

Dutch Fork at Lexington

Gilbert at Strom Thurmond

Gray Collegiate at Eau Claire

Lower Richland at Irmo

Northside Christian at Wardlaw

Academy

Pelion at Barnwell

WW King at Laurens Academy

Nation Ford at White Knoll