THURSDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

The last time Tom Knotts coached Dutch Fork in a game, he was carried off the field in triumphant fashion after winning a 3rd straight Class 5A title.

The victory put the finishing touches on a 2nd undefeated season in 3 years and one of the most dominant seasons ever by a South Carolina prep football team.

It also extended the Palmetto State’s longest active winning streak to 25 games.

Friday night in Irmo, Knotts will lead the Silver Foxes again. This time, it’s before an audience watching on ESPN2 against North Carolina power Mallard Creek.

For Knotts, the season-opener cannot arrive soon enough. However, it’s not because of the opportunity to have his team perform on nationwide television.

“I’ll be relieved when Friday gets here to know are they going to be able to turn it on and play like they’re supposed to - like they’re capable of! - or are we really going to have to just be a work in progress.”

A cancelled preseason scrimmage against Sumter due to bad weather only adds to the anticipation. Knotts said the team has had a “rough spring and rough summer and a rough preseason”.

While Dutch Fork returns key starters such as quarterback Ty Olenchuk and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt on offense, they lost running back Ron Hoff (transfer) and backup quarterback Graesom Underwood (torn ACL).

Friday’s border matchup is 2 years in the making. Last year’s meeting at Bank of America Stadium was cancelled due to bad weather.

Dutch Fork is seeking to become the 6th team in South Carolina history to win 4 straight titles.

SEASON BEGINS THURSDAY

The high school football season in Chronicle Country actually kicks off at 7 pm Thursday at Memorial Stadium.

Defending Region 4-4A co-champion Airport will travel to Columbia to face Dreher High School.

The Eagles have won 7 straight against the Blue Devils and 8 of the last 9 meetings. Airport won last year’s meeting 49-35 and rebounded from a slow start to finish 7-4 and earn a share of the Region 4-4A title.

‘BRAND’ NEW ERA

Irmo High had the lone new head coaching hire in Chronicle Country. Taking over the Yellow Jackets is Aaron Brand. He comes in from North Carolina where he led Vance High School to 55 wins over 5 seasons and a state championship game appearance. He looks to bring an “all gas-no brakes” style of play to a program which has not posted an above .500 record since 2012.

BY THE NUMBERS

Dutch Fork did not trail a game during the regular season in 2018 and outscored its opponents 771-131...Gilbert head coach Chad Leaphart can become the fastest coach in school history to 30 victories this Friday against Gray Collegiate. In 3 seasons, Leaphart has a record of 29-7...Irmo leads the all-time series versus Lexington 35-15, but have lost the last 4 meetings...White Knoll holds a 7-2 advantage over Brookland-Cayce in head-to-head meetings...Batesburg-Leesville is a perfect 20-0 all-time versus Ridge Springs-Monetta. Last year’s 15-8 win was the 3rd closest in the rivalry’s history...Pelion trails Wagener-Salley 17-16 in all-time meetings and have dropped the last 3 contests...River Bluff is 3-0 all-time versus Fort Mill and is coming off a school-record 9 victories.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Nearly 7,000 votes were cast online at www.lexingtonchronicle.com for the cover for the Lexington Chronicle’s 2019 high school football edition. Taking the honors with 60 percent of the vote was Lexington all-purpose standout Tristan Allen.

WEEK 0 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Thursday’s Game

Airport vs. Dreher (at Memorial Stadium)

7:30 pm

Friday’s Games

(all start at 7:30 pm)

Brookland-Cayce at White Knoll

Batesburg-Leesville at Ridge Spring-

Monetta

Mallard Creek at Dutch Fork

Gray Collegiate at Gilbert

Lexington at Irmo

Northside Christian at Calhoun Academy

Pelion at Wagener-Salley

River Bluff at Fort Mill

Lower Richland at Swansea