Dutch Fork Advances in Playoffs with Dominating Win
Irmo, South Carolina – November 29, 2024
In a remarkable display of skill and teamwork, the Dutch Fork Silver Foxes defeated the River Bluff Gators 52-14 on Friday night, ensuring their place in the Upper State championship game of the Class 5A Division I playoffs. The victory marks Dutch Fork’s 10th consecutive win over River Bluff and propels them to their ninth consecutive state semifinal.
The game unfolded at Dutch Fork’s home field, where the Silver Foxes showcased their prowess. Now sitting at 11-0 for the season, coach Tom Knotts expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, specially highlighting the effectiveness of their running game after struggling in that area in previous weeks. “We got the running game going at first, which we haven’t been doing, so we were real pleased with that,” Knotts stated.
Key Players Shine
A notable standout was Maurice Anderson, the running back who rushed for 152 yards and scored two touchdowns. He also contributed by catching five passes for 45 yards. The Silver Foxes accumulated a total of 327 rushing yards and 559 total yards during the game. Quarterback Ethan Offing also had a strong performance, throwing for 181 yards and rushing for 52 yards, scoring two touchdowns.
The Silver Foxes wasted no time establishing dominance, scoring on their first three possessions, quickly leading 17-0. River Bluff had a glimmer of hope when they executed a successful fake field goal, bringing them to the Dutch Fork 17-yard line. However, their chance to score was thwarted when the Silver Foxes recovered a bad snap on a fourth-and-2 attempt, turning the tide firmly back in their favor.
Turning Point
Following the turnover, Dutch Fork capitalized as Offing scored on a 4-yard run, extending the lead to 24-0 just before halftime. River Bluff attempted to reverse the momentum in the third quarter, striking early with a 68-yard touchdown pass from Brayden Moore to Aaron Griffin, making the score 24-7. However, the Silver Foxes quickly halted any possible comeback.
As Dutch Fork turned the ball over on their first possession of the half, River Bluff seized the chance to go for a field goal, only to have it blocked by Josh Smith. Jarvis Jackson scooped it up and returned it 76 yards for another Dutch Fork touchdown, pushing the score to 31-7.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Dutch Fork prepares to host Spartanburg in the Upper State championship next week, where a win would guarantee them another opportunity at a state title. The Silver Foxes have a storied history under Coach Knotts, boasting an all-time record of 11-0 in state championship games since he took over in 2010.
Meanwhile, River Bluff concludes their season with a 10-3 record, marking the most successful season in their history and their first appearance in the third round of the playoffs.
As the playoffs continue, the Silver Foxes aim for their eighth state title in nine years and the chance to further cement their legacy in high school football.
