This week’s S.C. High School League football semifinals promise to be “legendary” for the remaining Chronicle Country teams.

In Class 5A, Dutch Fork looks to move a step closer towards adding to an unprecedented championship run in Palmetto State high school football. Entering Friday’s game at Fort Dorchester, the Silver Foxes are looking to extend the following streaks:

- 61 straight games without a loss - 60 straight wins over in-state teams - 35 straight wins since the 27-27 tie with Mallard Creek on Aug. 23, 2019 (longest active win streak in South Carolina) - 33 straight road victories - 27 straight playoff victories (a state High

School League record)

Standing in the way of a sixth straight trip to the finals and ninth in the past 10 seasons under head coach Tom Knotts is the last team to hand Dutch Fork a loss. It was on Sept. 1, 2017 when the Dakereon Joyner-led Patriots went to Irmo and scored 20 second-quarter points in a 41-25 victory.

The Silver Foxes avenged that loss later that year with a 24-14 win at home in the Class 5A Lower State final. They were victorious again two years later in the third round of the 2019 playoffs 48-0 in Charleston and have won six of the seven all-time meetings.

A victory sets up a state final matchup against one of two other storied programs in Gaffney and Spartanburg on Dec. 4 at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium on the campus of Benedict College.

“A Legendary Performance”

The other remaining Chronicle Country playoff team, Gray Collegiate Academy, is seeking its first-ever state final appearance.

Having posted a school-record 11 victories, the War Eagles achieved another milestone this past Friday. After two straight postseason losses to Abbeville, they finally dispensed of the 2-time defending Class 2A champions in a 31-15 victory at Fairfield Central High School.

S.C. Mr. Football finalist KZ Adams further cemented his case for the award. Along with three touchdowns, the Georgia State commit’s 322 rushing yards pushed his single-season total to 2,770 yards — 62 more than former Lexington High School running great Demetris Summers did during the 2000 season.

“He told me he was going to be legendary tonight and he did that,” Holmes said. “322 yards rushing. Makes a big time pick right there in the end. He’s Mr. Football. He’d better be.”

A similar performance in Friday’s Upper State final against Newberry — against whom he rushed for 316 yards and 6 touchdowns just three weeks ago — would put Adams into rare high school company with 3,000 rushing yards in a season.

One of those past 3,000-yard club members is Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry. The former Heisman Trophy winner set a state record in Alabama with 4,261 yards in 2012 at Yulee High School.

Adams was also productive on defense with an interception and fumble recovery. Holmes truly believes the improved play of a defense, led by Zach Glenn’s 143 tackles, and held the Panthers to their lowest point total this season is the difference in this year’s playoff run.

“Our defense is what’s gotten us here,” Adams said. “Our front seven has been outstanding this year. They’ve had five shutouts this year. That’s been the biggest thing of what is making this team jump.”

The War Eagles will once again face coaching legend Phil Strickland. The former state champion at Batesburg-Leesville and Gaffney will retire at the end of the season.

Adams Leaves B-L

One of Phil Strickland’s former linebackers has already stepped down as head coach. Adams’ decision was announced last Thursday in a press release issued by Lexington County School District 3.

“Lexington Three thanks Coach Adams for his service and commitment to the Batesburg-Leesville community and will immediately begin the process of finding a replacement coach,” the statement read.

The Chronicle called Adams, but he has yet to respond.

A graduate of Liberty Virginia, Adams spent 11 seasons as a Panthers assistant. He replaced Perry Woolbright, who departed after leading Batesburg-Leesville to the 2016 Class 2A title game for Lexington High School, where he serves as head coach and athletic director.

In five seasons as the Panthers’ head coach, Adams posted a 26-25 record. He led Bateburg-Leesville to the third round of the Class 2A playoffs in his first season and posted his best record at 8-5 in 2019.

Third Round Gridiron Giants

Tanner Staton (Brookland-Cayce) - 375 passing yards, 3 touchdowns (2 passing, 1 rushing) Owen Plane (Brookland-Cayce) - 13 tackles. Jarvis Green (Dutch Fork) - 145 rushing yards, 3 TDs

Davin Patterson (Dutch Fork) - 280 total yards, 3 TDs (2 passing, 1 rushing)

Tre Robinson (Gray Collegiate) - 154 total yards, TD

Izayah Whiteside (Irmo) - 2 passing TDs

Taiden Mines (Lexington) - 165 passing yards

Kamadi Maxwell (Lexington) - 9 receptions, 95 yards

Quotable

“[The Abbeville community was] hated on me the whole week. I’m in my room just fighting the devil off cause it hurt my heart. You know, I just made sure I came into this game and just played my heart out.”

— Gray Collegiate running back K.Z. Adams