Dutch Fork downs Dorman, punches ticket to 10th straight championship game
Dutch Fork football extended one streak Friday night and has a chance to extend another next week.
The Silver Foxes are headed to their 10th-straight state championship game after a 30-10 win Friday over Dorman in the Class 5A Division I Upper State title game at Fox Field. Dutch Fork will play Summerville for the second-straight year in the championship game next Saturday night — that game will be held at South Carolina State’s Oliver Dawson Stadium..
Dutch Fork is going for its fourth state championship in a row.
“I am really not that kind of guy that thinks about that thing,” said Dutch Fork coach Tom Knotts, who improved to 13-0 all-time in state semifinal games. “But I like hearing about 10 in a row. That shows some real perseverance, that we haven’t had an offseason. … We just find a way. Our culture is such that we refuse to lose.”
The Silver Foxes’ championship streak looked to be in doubt early in Friday’s game. Dorman jumped out a 10-0 lead midway through the second quarter and had the ball in good position for another score.
But KJ Dupree picked off Dorman QB Meek Slydell and the Silver Foxes turned it into a touchdown on Quintin Wilson’s 14-yard run that cut the lead to 10-7 with 2:21 left in the second quarter.
The Silver Foxes’ defense came up with another turnover as Jaden Wuerth forced a fumble that was recovered by Michigan commitment Julian Walker.
Dutch Fork turned it into three points as Bradley O’Leary hit a 23-yard field as the first half expired to tie the game 10-10.
It was all Dutch Fork in the second half. The defense dominated, allowing just 48 yards from Dorman in the second half.
“The defense again after they gave up some stuff in the beginning was incredible,” Knotts said. “To give up only 10 points to that group is a tribute to coach Scott Braswell (defensive coordinator) and the defensive guys.”
The Silver Foxes’ offense got things going in the second half as well. Sheldon Shine scored on a 42-yard run on a reverse on the Dutch Fork’s first possession to make it 17-10.
The Silver Foxes tacked on two more touchdowns in the fourth, with a rushing score from quarterback Jaxon Knotts and and another from Wilson, his second of the game.
For Jaxon Knotts, the coach’s son, this championship is special. He watched the program’s dominance and annual trips to the title games while growing up on the sidelines. Now, he is getting to quarterback for this year’s squad.
“I am excited,” Jaxon Knotts said. “I have seen all 10 of the appearances. I have seen the wins and losses (in the championship). I am just trying to go in there and win that thing.”
Knotts was 17 of 22 for 137 yards passing and rushed 14 times for 66 yards. Wilson led the Silver Foxes with 84 yards rushing .
Slydell threw for 79 yards and a TD for Dorman. Nick Means was their top rusher with 71 yards.
Class 2A: Strom Thurmond 15, Fairfield Central 13
The Rebels stopped the Griffins’ Dre Walker on a two-point conversion on the final play of the game to win the 2A Upper State championship game.
Strom Thurmond will play Hampton County in the 2A title game at 4 p.m. next Saturday.
After the game, Fairfield Central coach Demetrius Davis told reporters that he thought Walker got in for the score, but officials said he didn’t.
“I saw my guy get it, and I am waiting for them to throw their hands up (to signal touchdown),” Davis said. “He says he is down so I run on the field and I see the ball is in the end zone.
“But the game shouldn’t came down to that. We didn’t score down their twice. It isn’t that call that lost us the game.”
Fairfield Central trailed 15-7 after a Zy Rouse touchdown with 1:16 left. But the Griffins responded with a touchdown on Derek Cammon’s 1-yard run as time expired.
Fairfield played most of the game without starting QB Kaden Diggs, who left the game in the first quarter with a left injury and didn’t return. Kamauri Jones came in and replaced Diggs at quarterback.
The Griffins took a 7-6 led on Walker’s 61-yard interception with 2:55 left in the second quarter.
Strom Thurmond regained the lead, 9-7, on Justus Daly’s 28-yard field as time expired at the end of the second quarter.
Class 4A: South Florence 55, Gray Collegiate 14
The defending state champion Bruins earned their fourth-straight state title trip with a win over the War Eagles in the 4A Lower State championship game.
South Florence will play South Pointe next Saturday at noon.
South quarterback Messiah Jackson ran for five touhdowns and threw a TD pass. Amare Reeves returned a kickoff for a touchdown and also picked off a pass.
Xavier Wright had a TD pass to JP Sweatt for Gray. Backup QB Tyler Waller also had a TD pass to Corey Gleaton.
This story was originally published November 28, 2025 at 11:15 PM.
