Thursday Morning Quarterback: Dutch Fork moves on to state title game

Posted 12/1/22

After avenging last year's state title loss to Gaffney 51-28 in the Upper State final last week, Dutch Fork will again play for a state championship.

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Thursday Morning Quarterback: Dutch Fork moves on to state title game

Posted

After avenging last year's state title loss to Gaffney 51-28 in the Upper State final last week, Dutch Fork will again play for a state championship.

Awaiting Dutch Fork (13-1) in the Class 5A final at noon on Dec. 3 at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium  in Columbia is Fort Dorchester (11-3). The Patriots defeated Summerville 24-10 in the Class 5A Lower State final.

Both teams have two common opponents in Gaffney and Stratford. While Dutch Fork beat both the Indians and Knights, Fort Dorchester split the two meetings. The Patriots lost at Gaffney 35-31 on Sept. 23 and defeated Stratford 37-21 on Nov. 4. 

Fort Dorchester won its lone state title in 2015 in Class 5A. It is 1-7 all-time against Dutch Fork, including last year’s 21-14 loss in the Lower State final in Charleston, and is 0-6 against the Silver Foxes in the postseason. 

The game will air on Spectrum (Channel 1250) and can be streamed at wach.com and nfhsnetwork.com for a fee. 

By the Numbers

Dutch Fork improved to 45-6 in the playoffs under head coach Tom Knotts. He’s undefeated on the road. 

Running back Jarvis Green has rushed for 2,076 yards and 32 touchdowns. He also has five receiving touchdowns and two kickoff return scores. Linebacker Jaylen Hinton had 11 tackles against Gaffney and has 137 tackles on the season. Joe Buetow is four tackles shy of 100 tackles on the season.

Chronicle Country players at the next level

PK Tyler Bass (Dutch Fork) of the Buffalo Bills – Kicked the game-winning field goal in the 28-25 win over Detroit on Thanksgiving Day.

QB Aveon Smith (White Knoll) of Miami, Ohio – Threw for 217 yards, including the game-winning touchdown in the 18-17 win over Ball State. The win earned the RedHawks a berth in the Dec. 16  HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl. 

OL Nick Taiste (White Knoll) of South Carolina State – Named to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference first-team.

WR Antonio Williams (Dutch Fork) of Clemson – Caught two passes and a touchdown in the loss to South Carolina. He became the first Tiger wideout since 2014 to reach 50 receptions. 

FS Hugh Ryan (Dutch Fork) of Furman – Had three tackles in the FCS playoff win over Elon. The Paladins face the University of Incarnate Word in the Round of 16. 

Quotable 

“We just wanted to come back here and beat Gaffney and shut up all the noise and we did that today.” – Dutch Fork running back Jarvis Green

Thomas Grant Jr. | Chronicle
Dutch Fork running back Jarvis Green and quarterback Aliam Appler following practice for the Class 5A final.

 

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