The high school football regular season is entering its final few weeks, and the elite teams around Lexington County are starting to separate themselves from the competition in their regions’ standings. 

Three Lexington County teams are still undefeated this season, and another is undefeated in region games. Irmo, Dutch Fork, Batesburg-Leesville and Gray Collegiate are all contending for their region titles after coming off big wins last week. 

Dutch Fork dominated Lexington to improve to 7-0 this season. The Silver Foxes defeated the Wildcats 42-0, earning its third shutout this season. So far, Dutch Fork is outscoring its opponents 291-17. 

Quarterback Ethan Offing passed for over 300 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Boykin Bickley had seven catches for over 100 yards. Running back Isaac Shine had 123 total yards and had a rushing and receiving touchdown. 

Irmo also remained unbeaten after the Yellow Jackets earned a win over White Knoll 35-21. The Yellow Jackets and Silver Foxes are on a collision course to play each other for the 5A Region 4 title in the final week of the season. Both teams have one game left in between before meeting at Dutch Fork Nov. 8. 

White Knoll and Irmo played a tight contest until Irmo managed to pull away late in the fourth quarter. Receiver Maleek Miller scored a go-ahead 60-yard touchdown to put Irmo out front. Miller finished with three touchdowns in the contest. 

Quarterback A.J. Brand and White Knoll quarterback Landon Sharpe traded blows, running in and passing for multiple touchdowns. But in the end the Yellow Jackets got the better of the defending region champs and improved to 8-0 this season. 

Batesburg-Leesville also remained unbeaten after picking up its second region win this season by beating American Leadership Academy 45-0. This was the fourth shutout this season for the Panthers, who have been one of the most dominant teams in the county with an average victory margin of 35 points. 

The Panthers scored touchdowns in all three phases of the game in the win. Hansel Discua returned an interception over 40 yards for a touchdown, K.D. Whitt had a 40-yard punt return touchdown, and the offense scored multiple touchdowns, including two from running back Amadre Wooden. 

Gray Collegiate remained undefeated against region competition after beating South Aiken by 50 points last Thursday. 

Against the Thoroughbreds, the War Eagles looked dominant. Quarterback Tyler Waller threw for three touchdowns, and running back B.J. Montgomery added three more on the ground to lift the team to victory. 

Teams in 4A Region 4, including the War Eagles, are playing an unusual schedule with multiple games a week following the effects of Hurricane Helene. Gray has two games this week. The first was scheduled for Tuesday against Brookland-Cayce after the Chronicle’s press deadline. The second is scheduled for Saturday against Aiken. 

Elsewhere around the county, three other teams picked up key wins to strengthen their position in the region standings. 

River Bluff defeated Chapin 30-6 to earn the Gators their second region win this season. 

Running Back Hayden Myers had over 100 rushing yards and a touchdown, quarterback Parker Murray had two total touchdowns, and Griffin Lindler returned an interception for a score. 

It has been a solid bounce-back year by the Gators after going winless in region games last season. River Bluff currently sits in third in the 5A Region 4 standings with one loss on its record and two games left to go. 

Gilbert defeated Brookland-Cayce in what was one of the most exciting games in the county this season. Every possession ended in a touchdown, except two missed field goals at the end of the first half and fourth quarter. Both defenses had trouble slowing down the other team’s high-powered offense. 

Quarterbacks Cooper James and Dre Dopson combined for 12 total touchdowns, and the game came down to the final minutes. Gilbert took its first lead of the game after scoring a touchdown on fourth-and-nine and then converting a two-point try. 

Brookland-Cayce had a shot to win the game with a field goal try, but the ball soared the the left of the goalpost with no time remaining, sealing Gilbert's 50-49 victory. 

Northside Christian was also victorious last week after beating Trinity Collegiate 28-20. Head coach Dean Howell earned his 100th career win as the Crusaders advanced to 1-1 in region games. 

Airport, Swansea and Pelion all lost region games last week. 

Swansea fell to Silver Bluff 56-26. The Tigers dropped to 6-2 with the loss and 1-1 in region games. Airport lost in blowout fashion to North Augusta 56-6, dropping to 1-5 this season. Pelion was beaten by Strom Thurmond 56-26. The Panthers are now 1-7 this year and winless in region games. 

Big Performances

Trevon Williamson had over 150 total yards and three touchdowns in Gilbert’s win against Brookland-Cayce. 

Sam Burks ran in three touchdowns to help Northside Christian defeat Trinity Collegiate. 

Griffin Lindler returned an interception for a touchdown in River Bluff’s win against Chapin. 

Tyler Waller threw three touchdown passes for Gray Collegiate as the War Eagles dominated South Aiken. 

Week 8 Area Scoreboard 

Dutch Fork: 45, Lexington: 0

Irmo: 35, White Knoll: 21

River Bluff: 30, Chapin: 6

North Augusta: 56, Airport: 8

Gilbert: 50, Brookland-Cayce: 49

Gray Collegiate: 63, South Aiken: 13

Silver Bluff: 56, Swansea: 26

Batesburg-Leesville: 45, American Leadership: 0

Strom Thurmond: 55, Pelion: 6

Northside Christian: 28, Trinity Collegiate: 20

Week 9 Games to Watch

Swansea at Fox Creek

Batesburg-Leesville vs. Pelion

Northside Christian at Florence Christian 

Airport vs. Gilbert