The Irmo Yellow Jackets defeated the West Florence Knights 56-7 on Friday night behind a stellar performance from quarterback A.J. Brand.

Brand accounted for seven total touchdowns, including five through the air and two on the ground, to help Irmo advance to the SCHSL 5A Division II state semifinal.

“Let’s just put it all out there right now, we have the best football player in the state,” Irmo head coach Aaron Brand said. “There’s nobody that’s as productive and leads his team as humbly and as dedicated to the cause as A.J. Brand.”

On the first play of the game, a fumble by Irmo running back Amire White was recovered by West Florence defensive back Kelvin Cade, giving the Knights the ball at midfield.

Facing fourth down at the Yellow Jackets’ 28-yard line, Knights’ wide receiver Terry Lowery was tackled short of the line to gain by Irmo’s Jevonte Hill.

After the stop, Brand began to work his magic when he found wide receiver Donovan Murph for a 12-yard completion. Following the catch, Brand scrambled for a 17-yard gain to put Irmo’s offense deep inside West Florence territory. 

Brand capped the drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Murph, giving Irmo a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

“He brings it each and every week. 140 touchdowns, 11,300 yards in a career, that’s just remarkable,” coach Brand said.

Lowery began West Florence’s next possession with a 37-yard run. Later in the drive,

Knights’ quarterback Anthony Weaver passed to wide receiver Keshawn Johnson for a 17-yard pickup on fourth down. A ten-yard touchdown run by Lowery tied the game at seven with a minute to go in the first quarter.

Irmo’s next drive began at midfield thanks to a long kickoff return by defensive back Kyle Mitchell. After a 16-yard run by running back Anton Jones, Brand scrambled for a dazzling 38-yard touchdown, making the score 14-7 Irmo.

To begin the second quarter, the Knights’ offense struggled to move the ball against Irmo’s defense. After a 19-yard punt gave the Yellow Jackets good field position, Irmo began to find success on the ground with wide receiver Maleek Miller, who rushed for eight and 14 yards on consecutive plays. 

Brand followed Miller’s runs with a 13-yard touchdown run, his third score of the game, to give Irmo a 21-7 advantage.

“We’re happy, we’re proud of these kids and the stuff we drew up tonight, they executed,” coach Brand said.

Midway through the second quarter, Irmo defensive back Jamar Grissett intercepted a Weaver pass, and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against West Florence gave Irmo the ball at the Knights’ 39-yard line. 

White began the next drive with a 28-yard run, but Brand was stopped short on a key third down. The Yellow Jackets’ field goal attempt failed, keeping it a 14-point game.

Late in the first half, a fourth down attempt by the Knights inside its own territory failed when Irmo’s defense combined to stop Johnson short of the line to gain.

Following a 17-yard run by Brand, the Yellow Jackets quickly found the endzone when Brand passed to Murph for a 15-yard touchdown reception, making the score 28-7, Irmo.

“They’re best friends,” coach Brand said of his quarterback and Murph. “That makes it a little bit easier. They fight like cats and dogs all week, but on Friday night they bring it together. They are a true brotherhood, and I love Donovan like he’s one of my own.”

Things began to unravel for West Florence in the final minute of the first half when a mishandled snap by Weaver was recovered by Yellow Jackets’ defensive lineman Major Taylor. 

Irmo responded when Brand tossed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Miller, giving Irmo a commanding 35-7 halftime lead.

West Florence’s first drive of the third quarter ended in a punt after Irmo defensive lineman Ethan Gamble sacked Weaver on third down. 

Following another short punt, Brand found Miller again, this time for a 25-yard touchdown catch to make it a 42-7 game.

On Irmo’s next possession, Brand connected with tight end Joey Albritton for an 18-yard touchdown pass to give Irmo a 49-7 lead. 

Miller’s impressive game continued early in the fourth quarter with a 60-yard punt return touchdown, his third touchdown of the contest.

“We’ve still got more ball to play,” coach Brand said. “We’re playing ball in December, and that was our goal. Last year at the Lower State Championship, we would’ve died to get back to this point and we’re back.”

Irmo (12-1) will host White Knoll (8-5) on Friday in the SCHSL 5A Division 2 State Semifinals, while West Florence finishes the season at 8-5. The two teams met on Oct. 18, a 35-21 Irmo road victory.

“I think they match up with us well,” Brand said. “They have an outstanding offense and an even better defense. They’re as well-coached a team as we’ll play all year. You take Dutch Fork out of the equation, there’s nobody that even compares to the way they coach over there.”