Hartsville vs. Dillon in key week 4 clash

Dillon – While they haven’t played every year, the Dillon vs. Hartsville football rivalry goes back several decades. Both programs have rich traditions and have been among the top programs in the Pee Dee so when they do get together on the gridiron, it’s a pretty big deal.

After a break for more than 20 years, the two powerhouses resumed yearly meetings in 2022. Hartsville has won two of the three meetings heading into Friday’s night contest.

While many of the players don’t know the old tradition, the die-hard fans in both communities do remember and want to hold an edge for a year.

The 2025 game pits the 1-2 Red Foxes against the 1-2 Wildcats of Dillon. Both teams are still working to find a consistent level of performance and playing quality competition can be a good teaching experience.

“We don’t look at their record. We know they’re a good football team,” Dillon head coach Kelvin Roller said. “They have good players. That shows on film. I know Hartsville come here ready to play. We have to match their intensity and physicality.”

Hartsville head coach Jeff Calabrese has put his team through a tough non-region slate with games against Carolina Forest, Camden and Rock Hill. The coach sees progress but says his team is not close to its potential.

“You know we have a whole lot of young guys out there and they’re learning on the go,” the coach said. “We just try to get better each day and then we go play and see where we are. Dillon is going to test us in every area. This is a tremendous challenge.”

Both teams play with young quarterbacks. Dillon starts freshman Khayel Sam-fong Telia, a promising 6-2 prospect that continues to improve with each game.

Hartsville starts sophomore Ford Wallace, a good athlete with improving performances each week.

Quarterback play dictates a lot in terms of wins and losses, but each coach realizes how important it is for complete team play.

“We have to do things to help our quarterback,” Calabrese said. “We need to improve defensively, tackle better, execute better. We need to get stops.”

Other key games in week 4

Dutch Fork at Oceanside Collegiate

Bishop England at Porter-Gaud

South Pointe at AC Flora

Fairfield Central at Newberry

Clinton at Daniel

Bamberg-Ehrhardt at Woodland

Chesnee at Woodruff

Nation Ford at Northwestern