Dutch Fork and head coach Tom Knotts have a well-established football history.

The only program to win 5 consecutive state titles and a 13-time state champion in North and South Carolina, the Silver Foxes and Knotts have personified winning and domination on the high school gridiron.

This Friday at Cecil Woolbright Field, they look to make “unofficial” history. A victory over Chapin would extend Dutch Fork’s unbeaten streak to 56 games.

That would “surpass” the SC High School League record of 55 straight wins posted by Christ Church set from 2011-15. The Silver Foxes’ lone non-win was a 27-27 tie with Mallard Creek on Aug. 23, 2019, a game called with under 5 minutes left due to bad weather.

The tie notwithstanding, the Silver Foxes have also won 54 consecutive games against in-state teams. That is in addition to their other winning streaks:

31 straight road victories

28 consecutive games without a loss at home 27 straight home wins over

27 straight home wins over in-state teams.

25 straight wins in region play

Dutch Fork has won the last 8 meetings against Chapin, scoring 50 or more points in each of the past 3 contests.

Setting records is not the only motivation for Dutch Fork this year. The untimely passing of offensive lineman Jack Alkhatib during a team practice has served as a rallying cry for the Silver Foxes.

This past Friday’s game against White Knoll was another example. Following a 4th quarter touchdown that put Dutch Fork up 60-0, the Silver Foxes’ Davin Patterson took a knee on the extra point attempt.

The players immediately started pointing to the scoreboard and holding up a flag with the number 60 which was worn by Alkhatib. Alkhatib’s mother, Kelly Hewins, was in attendance at the game and witnessed the moment.

TMQ TEAM OF THE WEEK - Lexington

The Wildcats are riding high on their longest winning streak in 6 years. Trailing by 13 at halftime to archrival River Bluff inside The Swamp, Lexington outscored the Gators 14-0 in the 2nd half for the 21-20 win. It was the Region 5-5A opener for both teams.

TMQ PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Jarvis Green (Dutch Fork)

The junior running back and 2-sport standout rushed for 181 yards and 4 touchdowns, all in the 1st half of the 60-7 win over White Knoll.

WEEK 6 GRIDIRON GIANTS

Tyler Dasher (Airport) - 3 TDs (2 passing, 1 rushing)

Jamari Kennerly (Brookland-Cayce) - 2 TDs (1 receiving, 1 rushing)

Owen Plane (Brookland-Cayce) - 12 tackles

Ke’son Washington (Brookland-Cayce) - 125 rushing yards, 3 TDs

Tanner Staton (Brookland-Cayce) - 234 yards, TD, 38 rushing yards

Jamari Kennerly (Brookland-Cayce) - 76 total yards, 2 TDs (1 receiving, 1 rushing) Dutch Fork

Dutch Fork defense - Allowed -31 yards against White Knoll

Davin Patterson (Dutch Fork) - 140 passing yards, 2 TDs

Antonio Williams (Dutch Fork) - 4 receptions, 97 yards, 2 TDs

Jaden Allen-Hendrix (Gilbert) - 161 rushing yards, 3 TD

Alias Graham-Woodberry (Gilbert) - 108 rushing yards, 2 TDs

Chance Jennings (Gilbert) - 157 total yards, TD Brendon Boatwright (Gilbert) - 23

Brendon Boatwright (Gilbert) - 23 tackles, sack

Harley Boatwright (Gilbert) - 15 tackles Josh Gartman (Gilbert) - 13

Josh Gartman (Gilbert) - 13 tackles

KZ Adams (Gray Collegiate) - 270 rushing yards, 2 TDs; 75-yard punt return TD

Tre Robinson (Gray Collegiate) - 3 TDs (2 passing, 1 rushing)

Izayah Whiteside (Irmo) - 235 passing yards, 4 TDs (3 passing, 1 rushing)

AJ Brand (Irmo) - 3 receiving TDs

Tyler Walker (Lexington) - 102 rushing yards, GW touchdown

Connor Clamp (River Bluff) - 17 tackles

Apollos Cook (River Bluff) - 3 kickoff returns, 118 yards (82-yard kickoff return TD)

1,000-YARD RUSHING CLUB

Gray Collegiate running back KZ Adams surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the 4th straight year. Gilbert’s Alias Graham-Woodberry is 32 yards shy of the mark.

BY THE NUMBERS

Gilbert High School has won 12 consecutive Region 5-3A games... White Knoll placekicker Maleah Perry is 10-10 on PATs...Dutch Fork has won the last 8 meetings against Chapin

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Week 7 will start a day early for River Bluff. The Gators play host to South Aiken at 7:30 pm Thursday in a non-region game.

NCA GETS 1ST WIN

The Northside Christian Academy junior varsity team defeated Calhoun County 42-16 for its 1st win of the season and 1st under head coach Dean Howell. Jeff McCallum threw for 128 yards and 3 touchdowns, Sam Burks rushed for 89 yards and 2 scores and Jake Jeffrey had 5 catches for 60 yards and 2 touchdowns. Gavin Ford and Jordan Cramer also scored touchdowns and Braedon Patterson had an interception in his 1st game. Up next for Northside Christian is a home matchup with the Gray Collegiate Academy B team at 7 pm Thursday.

CHRONICLE COUNTY FOOTBALL ON TV AGAIN

For the 2nd straight week, a Region 5-5A matchup is the WACH 57 Sonic Friday Night Rivals Game of the Week. Lexington will pay a visit to White Knoll, whose home game against Dutch Fork was also aired last week. The game can be seen on Spectrum Cable (Channel 1250) or streamed at www.wach.com.

QUOTABLE

“I kind of wanted to go in there and be ruthless.” - Lexington High School running back Tyler Walker after his game-winning 11-yard touchdown run against River Bluff. Walker placed injured starter Jonah Norris.