Another week of football is in the books, and many Lexington County teams are rolling after big wins. 

There were 10 games featuring 11 Lexington County schools last week. Local teams won in eight of those games, and seven Lexington County schools remained unbeaten. 

One of those undefeated teams is Swansea, who improved to 3-0 last week with a win over Wagener-Salley. The Tigers are off to a strong start this season after finishing winless last year and missing the playoffs. The Tigers are in their first year under head coach Willie Fox. 

Swansea ran the ball all over Fox’s former team, finishing the game with over 200 yards on the ground. The War Eagles had no answers for the rushing attack as the Tigers ran away with the game. 

Dante Caldwell and Teysean Charley rushed for more than 100 yards apiece and combined for three touchdowns. Swansea also scored on defense after Kevin Sightler returned a fumble 75 yards for a touchdown.

Five of the teams in 5A Region 4 remained undefeated. Irmo hit the road and beat Charlotte’s Butler 35-34. The Yellow Jackets and Bulldogs battled in overtime, and the game came down to one final two-point conversion play. Butler lined up looking to take the win, but instead, the ball got past the quarterback and Irmo recovered to improve to 3-0. 

Dutch Fork and Chapin picked up dominant wins. The Silver Foxes shut out Ridge View 38-0 after Ethan Offing threw for three touchdowns. Chapin’s offense continues to torch its opponents, beating Spring Valley 49-14, despite an early exit from quarterback Brady Albro. 

Lexington and River Bluff picked up close wins against solid competition. The Wildcats defeated Midland Valley 25-14, and the Gators beat Nation Ford 35-30. 

River Bluff quarterback Parker Murray had a big outing, throwing for 280 yards and five touchdowns. The Gators’ ground game also played a factor, rushing for 217 yards.

The only non-undefeated team in the region, White Knoll, won its matchup against fellow Lexington County school, Brookland-Cayce. The Timberwolves easily took care of the Bearcats and won 42-14. 

Brookland-Cayce dropped to 0-2 this season after a loss against River Bluff last week. The team will look for a win on the road against May River this week. 

Batesburg-Leesville also picked up a win, upsetting 1A’s top-ranked team, Abbeville. The Panthers won the game 37-35 and received major contributions from K.D. Whitt after he scored three touchdowns. It was the Panthers’ first win over Abbeville in 10 years. 

Not every team ended week two with a win. Airport and American Leadership Academy are still looking for their first win this season after falling to Orangeburg-Wilkinson and Branchville. Both teams will get a shot this week as Airport faces Westwood at home, and American Leadership travels to Ridge Spring-Monetta. 

Gray Collegiate, Gilbert, Northside Christian and Pelion were all on bye last week. All four teams are back this week. Gray, Gilbert and Pelion will all play a Lexington County team this week as Gray goes to Dutch Fork, Gilbert hosts River Bluff and Pelion hosts Swansea. Northside will return home for the first time since their season opener and play Andrew Jackson.  

Big Performances 

Parker Murray threw for five touchdown passes in River Bluff’s win over Nation Ford. 

Ethan Offing led Dutch Fork to victory against Ridge View after throwing for over 200 yards and three touchdowns. 

Dante Caldwell rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns in Swansea’s win over Wagener-Salley.

Devin Geronomi returned a punt for a touchdown to help White Knoll defeat Brookland-Cayce. 

Week 2 Area Scoreboard 

Chapin: 49, Spring Valley: 14

Dutch Fork: 38,  Ridge View: 0

Irmo: 35, Butler (N.C.): 34

Lexington:  25, Midland-Valley: 14

River Bluff: 35, Nation Ford: 30

White Knoll: 42,  Brookland-Cayce: 14

Orangeburg-Wilkinson: 14,  Airport: 9

Swansea:  39, Wagener-Salley: 15

Batesburg-Leesville: 37,  Abbeville: 35

Branchville: 42, American Leadership: 14

Week 3 Games to Watch

Dutch Fork vs. Gray Collegiate 

Chapin vs. Newberry 

Gilbert vs. River Bluff

Pelion vs. Swansea