Dutch Fork Earns Back-to-back Region Wins that were Closer Than Expected

By Thomas Grant, Jr.

Contributing Writer

Irmo - Back-to-back region wins that were closer than expected raised questions this week about 4-time defending Class 5A champion Dutch Fork.

Even head coach Tom Knotts acknowledged the team had not been “firing on all cylinders” recently.

The Silver Foxes responded with a 42-0 win over River Bluff to clinch the Region 3-5A title. It was the 15^th overall region title under Knotts and extended Dutch Fork’s winning streak to 17 games.

More important, Dutch Fork (8-0, 3-0) earns itself a high seed entering this year’s playoffs.

“It’s been a pretty bad two weeks considering for how we’re supposed to be playing,” said offensive lineman Brody Lorenzo, who was selected to play in the All-American Bowl. “I feel like we came out and show out because everybody was like ‘River Bluff is supposed to be so good.’ We watched film and came out here and balled.”

After forcing Dutch Fork to punt on its opening possession, the Gators moved the football into scoring position. A 34-yard field goal attempt by Liam Fynn went wide left.

It was the only scoring opportunity of the game for River Bluff. Dutch Fork held the Gators to 129 total yards and allowed just nine first downs.

On offense, quarterback Jaxon Knotts welcomed back his favorite target this season. Wide receiver Maleek Miller made a splashing return after a week’s absence with 11 receptions for 201 yards and a 43-yard touchdown.

“He’s a special player and I’m figuring out more and more how to use him and he makes us a much better team than we were against Chapin,” the elder Knotts said. 

The younger Knotts also threw a 58-yard bomb to Jalen Montgomery. He finished with 393 passing yards to go with an 8-yard touchdown run.

Lorenzo also saw time on the defensive line. Lining up at nose tackle next to Clemson commit Jaden Wuerth, who had five tackles and a sack, he provided a boost defending the run in holding River Bluff to 68 yards.

“Brody’s big and strong and he’s aggressive and he’s mean,” Knotts said. “We don’t have too many players like him, so we put him at the nose (tackle). I use him a lot like I used Malik Sumter years ago who played for me and went to Georgia State and did some good things down there.”

The elder Knotts also praised his offensive line for enabling his son’s success. They also blocked the way for four rushing touchdowns, three by Michael Robinson.

Dutch Fork improved to 12-0 all-time against River Bluff. It has a bye week and closes out against White Knoll. The Gators (6-2, 1-1) close out the season with White Knoll and Lexington.