THURSDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

As the regular season reaches the home stretch, there are 3 critical region contests scheduled this Friday in Lexington County.

For the 2nd straight week, the town of Irmo is the site for another 1st place showdown in Region 5-5A. Defending 3-time Class 5A champion and nationally-ranked Dutch Fork (7-0-1) face a team coming off a bye week in Lexington (6-1, 1-0).

The Silver Foxes are coming off a 48-14 rout of River Bluff. The victory extended their undefeated streak to 33 in a row to go with 32 straight wins against Palmetto State foes and 22 consecutive region wins.

The Silver Foxes have won the last 5 meetings to take a 9-8 lead in the all-time series. Lexington’s last victory over Dutch Fork took place in 2011.

The 2nd top region clash will take place 15 minutes away down Interstate 20 at Leonard Price Field. Gilbert (6-1, 1-0) and Strom Thurmond (7-1, 2-0) will meet in a contest which could determine the Region 5-3A champion.

The 2 teams have won the last 2 region titles, with the Rebels winning last year after defeating the Indians 18-13. Strom Thurmond has won 7 of the 9 meetings between the 2 schools and also enter Friday’s clash winners of 7 straight games.

Gilbert has owned a 22-2 home record under head coach Chad Leaphart. Both wins also took place under Leaphart in 2016 and 2017.

The 3rd region contest with region title ramifications takes place at Midlands Sports Complex in West Columbia.

Gray Collegiate (4-3, 1-0) will face Calhoun County (3-4, 2-0) in a Region 3-2A clash for “Homecoming.”

TEAM OF THE WEEK - Brookland-Cayce

The Bearcats have quietly moved themselves into a share of 1st place in Region 4-4A with archrival Airport. After a challenging non-region schedule, they have outscored their first 2 region foes by a 76-34.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Will Way (Brookland-Cayce)

The junior tailback ran for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns in the 35-20 win over South Aiken. He’s now rushed for 190 rushing yards in 3 consecutive games.

WEEK 7 GRIDIRON GIANTS

Marvin Gantt (Batesburg-Leesville) - 145 rushing yards, 3 TDs

Tre Robinson (Batesburg-Leesville) - 122 passing yards, 2 TDs

Demoni Jones (Brookland-Cayce) - 4 sacks

Roger Pedroni (Chapin) - 317 passing yards, 2 TDs; 2 rushing TDs

Zavier Short (Chapin) - 10 receptions, 221 yards, 2 TDs

Jake Hames (Chapin) - 13 tackles

Dylan King (Chapin) - 11 tackles

Tyler Olenchuk (Dutch Fork) - 251 passing yards, 3 TDs

Jalin Hyatt (Dutch Fork) - 4 receptions, 135 yards, 2 TDs; 50-yard passing TD

Hunter Helms (Gray Collegiate) - 349 passing yards, 5 TDs

Omation Dollison, Jack Wood and Trenton Higgins (all of Gray Collegiate) - each over 100 receiving yards. Tracey Williams (Irmo) - 119 yards, 2 TDs Dylan Williams (Irmo) - 135 passing yards, 3 TDs

Braden Walker (River Bluff) - 103 rushing yards, TD

Darius Derrick-Jones (White Knoll) - 243 total yards, 2 TDs

University of Tennessee-bound senior and “Mr. Dutch Fork Homecoming” was named a finalist for the award. He looks to join former Silver Foxes’ running back Matthew Colburn and Lexington’s Shaq Roland as recipients of the honor to be announced at the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives North-South All-Star Game.

MILESTONES

Dutch Fork quarterback Tyler Olenchuk broke Matthew Colburn’s school record for touchdowns.

He’s also 2 shy of becoming the 10th player in S.C. High School League history with 100 or more career TDs.

This Friday, River Bluff head coach C. Blair Hardin can win his 100th career game against Chapin. His 15-year coaching career has spanned tenures at North and South Carolina schools. Ironically, Hardin succeeded current Lexington head football coach Perry Woolbright at North Myrtle Beach.

ANOTHER SEASON-ENDING INJURY

For the 2nd straight week, a key player for a Chronicle Country team was lost for the season due to injury. Chapin running back Cooper Evans broke his leg during the win over White Knoll.

CARDIAC BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Both the Airport and Chapin Eagles have taken their fans on respective rollercoaster runs this season. Airport has won its first 2 region games by a total of 4 points. Meanwhile, quarterback Roger Pedroni orchestrated a 3rd game-winning scoring drive in the final minute against White Knoll.

QUOTABLE

“Jalin has fantastic abilities and has made numerous great catches. He has been pressed and doubled all year so his stats aren’t as great as some, but that has opened up other opportunities for our team. He has incredible speed and numerous offers from Power 5 teams.” - Dutch Fork head coach Tom Knotts about wide receiver and “Mr. S.C. Football” finalist Jalin Hyatt. He is 1 of 7 players up for the award, which will be announced Dec. 15 at the North-South All-Star Game.