Ho-hum; Dorman set to play Byrnes

Dorman and Byrnes knew their paths would cross during the playoffs.

Luckily for both teams, that meeting will take place in Saturday's Class 4A Division I state championship game at Williams-Brice Stadium.

Coaches and players from each school met at the S.C. High School League office Monday for the state championship news conference.

Byrnes coach Chris Miller, whose team has won the previous two state titles, said he is not surprised to see Dorman in the final.

"The way the brackets were working out, I knew this was coming down the road," he said. "They are a great football team with great players and a great coaching staff and very competitive all the time.

"The rivalry is uncanny in itself. It doesn't make any difference what the records are, it's always going to be a great football game."

Dorman coach Dave Gutshall said he was aware a rematch with Byrnes would take place in the state final should his team advance that far. The Rebels won the regular-season meeting 17-10 at Nixon Field.

"We're not surprised we're playing Byrnes. I think this is the sixth time we've played each other in the last three years," he said. "We have a good rivalry with Byrnes and never had any problems on the field. I think the kids all know each other, and it will be a great, hard-fought game."

Players from both sides said they also knew a rematch was looming.

"I knew it was going to be (Byrnes) since day one," Dorman quarterback Johnny Foster said. "I knew we'd be in the state championship playing each other."

"The whole team is excited about it," Byrnes quarterback and Rutgers commitment Chas Dodd said. "We're just going to try to go out there this week in practice and do what we have to do and not think about it that much. We'll just try to get ready for the game."

Dorman linebacker Ryan Pruitt believes both teams had Saturday's date marked on their calendars when the playoff brackets were released.

"We got pretty pumped up when we found out we were playing Byrnes in the state final," he said. "I hate to say it, but I think both of us were looking ahead to playing in the state championship game. I think it will be a very exciting game."

Byrnes running back Marcus Lattimore said it didn't take long for the Rebels to figure out that the Cavs were their next opponent.

"We found out in the fourth quarter of our game (against Spartanburg)," the Shrine Bowl and U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection said. "We expect the same thing as the last time we played them. We don't want that, but it's a rivalry."

The last three meetings between the rivals have been decided by 11 points or fewer.

The Rebels defeated Dorman 24-13 in last year's state semifinal.

Dorman defensive end Drew Bailey said his team has to stay focused on its game plan.

"(Byrnes) has at least five guys that can score every time they get the ball," the Shrine Bowl selection said. "We can't just focus on one person anymore."

Cavs wide receiver Rob Greene said neither team can't dwell on its accomplishments.

"All the past struggles and successes don't matter anymore," he said. "It's all about those 48 minutes on Saturday."