Friday rewind: Dutch Fork impressive in playoff opener. Irmo, RNE set scoring records

After some early-season struggles, the Dutch Fork football team has its confidence and swagger back.

The Silver Foxes looked every bit like the defending Class 5A champions Friday as they defeated Boiling Springs, 56-7, in the opening round of the 2023 playoffs.

Dutch Fork (6-5) will travel to second-ranked TL Hanna next week for a second-round matchup. The two teams met in the 2018 and 2020 state championship games won by Dutch Fork.

“We battled early in the year, battled each other,” said Dutch Fork coach Tom Knotts, who improved to 14-0 in first-round games at Dutch Fork. “We never put it together, made mistakes, got people hurt. We never had anybody on our side other than ourselves. It has just been clicking since the second region game.

“Dutch Fork football lives for November. I don’t think anybody wants to play Dutch Fork now.”

The Silver Foxes were 2-5 overall after its region-opening loss to White Knoll.

But since then, Dutch Fork has rattled off four straight wins and has a lot of momentum headed into the second round of the playoffs.

Dutch Fork scored on four straight possessions and Jacob Hamilton returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown to take a 35-0 lead in the second quarter. Hamilton also had a 37-yard touchdown catch.

Senior quarterback Jon Hunt was 8-of-11 for 208 yards and three touchdowns, all in the first half. Hunt hit running back Trent Lodge on an 88-yard screen pass for a touchdown to make it 28-0.

“We made a huge statement,” Hunt said of Friday’s performance. “We’re here. It’s Dutch Fork football. We are going to be here every year and we are going to be strong.”

Running back Maurice Anderson rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensive end Josh Smith had three sacks and a forced fumble, which was picked up by Bryce Nutall and returned 35 yards for a touchdown to make it 42-7 early in the third quarter.

Lincoln Huskey threw for 175 yards and a TD to Kyle Patterson for Boiling Springs.

Irmo, RNE set school scoring marks

Irmo and Richland Northeast each set single-game scoring records in their playoff victories.

Richland Northeast scored a school-best 88 points in its 88-54 win over Bluffton in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs. It was the Cavs’ first playoff victory since 2015.

The 88 points scored breaks the school record set earlier this season (73) against A.C. Flora.

N.C. State commit Will Wilson rushed for 401 yards and five touchdowns for the Cavaliers. Running back James Willingham also had five TDs for RNE.

Irmo, ranked No. 3 in Class 4A, scored 65 points in the first half Friday on its way to an 85-0 win over Colleton County. The 85 points break the school record of 63 set several times.

Quarterback AJ Brand was 16-of-19 for 277 yards and seven total touchdowns. Jaden Allen-Hendrix rushed for 133 yards and had four total touchdowns. Donovan Murph had four catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

Record-setting year continues for White Knoll

White Knoll won its school-record 11th game of the season with a 28-0 victory over Cane Bay in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.

The Timberwolves’ 11th victory of the season breaks the school record of 10 set in 2012. They host Fort Dorchester in the second round next week.

Quarterback Landon Sharpe was 20-of-23 for 239 yards and three touchdowns and also ran in a TD. Austin Cunningham had six catches for 58 yards and two scores. Evan Henderson had six catches for 64 yards.

Lancaster pulls stunner against Ridge View

Lancaster won its first playoff game since 2014 with an upset over Ridge View, 26-14, in the Class 4A playoffs.

The Bruins entered the playoffs with a 1-9 record and were an at-large selection to make the postseason.

Mikal McCollum had two touchdowns while Dee Mobley and RJ Brown each had one.

Lancaster trailed 7-6 at halftime.

Siah Mack had a TD run for Ridge View and Tre Howard had a TD pass to Carter Coleman.

Chapin drops a thriller

Stratford hit a 46-yard field goal with six seconds left to defeat Chapin, 28-27, in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.

It was the second straight game Chapin’s game came down to the final minute. The Eagles defeated River Bluff on a last-second field goal to earn a playoff spot.

Stratford led 25-21 after returning an interception for a touchdown with 1:32 to go.

The Eagles answered as Brady Albro hit Jonathan Shepherd on a 22-yard TD. Chapin missed the extra point but still led 27-25 with 36 seconds left.

Stratford was able to get the ball in field goal range and was aided by a Chapin personal foul penalty on the game-winning drive.

Hammond, Cardinal Newman ready for round two

Hammond and Cardinal Newman each won their SCISA 4A playoff opener, setting up a rematch next week with the winner going to the state championship.

Hammond defeated Trinity Collegiate, 41-7, to advance. Robert Malanuk had two TD passes. Mike Tyler, Daylin Haltiwanger and Kinson Holland each had TD receptions for the Skyhawks. Manny Johnson ran for two scores.

Cardinal Newman defeated Augusta Christian, 41-24, for its ninth win of the year. Cortez Lane had four touchdowns and quarterback Duncan Skehan threw two touchdowns

Next week’s game will be the second matchup of the season between the two rivals. Hammond defeated Cardinal Newman, 35-20, on Oct. 6.

Around the Midlands

——Class 5A——

Summerville 28, River Bluff 3: Jaden Cummings threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns as the top-ranked Green Wave defeated the Gators in the first-round of the 5A playoffs. Yannick Smith led Summerville with nine catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns.

Gaffney 47, Lexington 14: Riley Staton threw four touchdown passes in the Indians’ win over the Wildcats.

——Class 4A——

South Florence 42, Lugoff-Elgin 0: The Bruins scored 28 points in the second half to break open a close game.

Hartsville 70, A.C. Flora 27: The Falcons’ season ended in a first-round loss to Red Foxes.

——Class 3A——

Brookland-Cayce 42, Lake City 20: The Region 5-3A champions defeated the Panthers for their first-round win.

Gilbert 49, Darlington 12: Running back Trevon Williams had four scores and Drake Braddock threw three touchdown passes in the Indians’ first-round playoff win. Williamson finished with 201 yards rushing and also caught a 25-yard TD pass. Braddock was 13-of-22 for 237 yards in the game.

Camden 48, Dreher 7: Quarterback Grayson White threw four touchdown passes and ran for one in the Bulldogs’ win. White finished with 313 yards passing. JoJo Crim returned an interception for a touchdown and had a TD catch for the Bulldogs.

——Class 2A——

Gray Collegiate 62, Pelion 0: Caleb Ford rushed for 150 yards and four touchdowns in the War Eagles’ playoff win.

Gray held Pelion under 100 yards of offense. Michael Boulware had two interceptions and returned one back for a touchdown.

Keenan 24, Ninety-Six 21: The Raiders picked up a road win to advance to the second round of the 2A playoffs.

Newberry 24, Saluda 15: Kenton Caldwell ran for two touchdowns as the Bulldogs defeated the Tigers in the first round of the 2A playoffs. BJ Jones also had a TD with 6:01 in the fourth quarter to put Newberry 24-15.

Fairfield Central 48, Liberty 7: Cam McMillon threw three touchdown passes and TyDarian Grier ran for three scores in the Griffins’ playoff win. KJ Golden had two touchdown catches for Fairfield.

——SCISA 4A——

Porter-Gaud 28, Ben Lippen 23: Jayvon Gilmore had two touchdown passes and Taevian Copney had a TD run in the loss for the Falcons.

——SCISA 2A——

Northside Christian 33, Colleton Prep 28: The Crusaders picked up a road playoff win and moved on to the semifinals.