Getting six for 60.

A season which started with the goal of winning an unprecedented sixth state title took on new meaning on Aug. 23 for Dutch Fork football.

Senior offensive lineman Jack Alkhatib died after collapsing during an evening practice.

From carrying a flag with his jersey number 60 during game entrances to honoring Alkhatib’s mother, Kelly, as she watches the games in the midfield bleachers, Dutch Fork has used their on-field play to honor Alkhatib’s memory.

“It has been the goal since Jack passed away to get six for 60,” linebacker Chandler Perry said. “And we are — so we need to finish.”

Where the Silver Foxes are is back in the Class 5A title game. For the sixth straight year and ninth time under head coach Tom Knotts, Dutch Fork is playing for a state championship. Awaiting the Silver Foxes Saturday night at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium is a team with an equally storied winning tradition. The Gaffney Indians (14-0) are seeking a state record 18th state championship in 27 appearances and first since 2012. Ironically, that championship was won at the expense of Dutch Fork. It was the Class 4A

Division I title game played at Williams-Brice Stadium and the Indians came away with a 34-22 victory.

The Silver Foxes (12-0) won their first state title the following year and have continued to dominate South Carolina football.

Their playoff record since 2013 is 37-2 to go along with their active streaks: •62 straight games without a loss

•61 straight wins over South Carolina-based teams 36 straight victories since a 27-27 tie with Mallard Creek Aug. 24, 2019 •34 straight road victories 28 straight playoff victories (state record)

In another irony, the two teams were scheduled to face each other at “The Reservation” Aug. 27. The game was cancelled out of respect for Dutch Fork and the Alkhatib family.

The Palmetto State’s lone undefeated Class 5A teams have weapons on both sides of the football. Dutch Fork quarterback Davin Patterson has thrown for 2,446 yards and 28 touchdowns this season. His main target, wide receiver Antonio Williams, has 68 receptions for 1,414 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns and is the team’s leading kick returner (722 total yards, 4 TDs).

Running back Jarvis Green rounds out the “three-headed monster” offense with 1,464 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns.

However, his status for Saturday’s final is uncertain after he injured his knee during the 21-14 win over Fort Dorchester in the Class 5A Lower State final.

Dutch Fork’s defense is an equally large part of the team’s identity. The group has posted 17 shutouts since 2016, including two to open this year’s playoffs, and have held opponents to 11 points a game. Linebacker CJ Wicker has more 122 tackles with nine sacks, followed by linebacker Chandler Perry (121 tackles) and defensive back Landon Danley (68 tackles, four interceptions).

Gaffney quarterback Grayson Loftis has thrown for 1,916 yards and 19 touchdowns. He throws to a pair of senior targets in Ja’Darius Littlejohn (28 receptions, 489 yards, 6 TDs) and Tyler Smith (29 receptions, 317 yards, 5 TDs), who’s also the team’s leading rusher with 1,514 yards and 29 touchdowns. Smith is joined in the backfield with another 1,000-yard rusher in Ken Littlejohn (1,232 yards, 13 TDs). The Indians averaged 37.5 points per game and posted a season-high in points in the 56-31 win over Spartanburg in the Class 5A Upper State final.

Middle linebacker Jesus Dowdle leads the team with 65 tackles.

Kickoff for the game is 5 p.m. and it will air on WACH 57.