High school rewind: Dutch Fork copes with Davis injury
Week 4 of high school football in the Midlands is in the books. Here is what stood out:
Dutch Fork begins life without Davis
Dutch Fork got a big win over No. 5 Dorman on Friday, but it came with a price. The Silver Foxes likely will be without Stephen Davis Jr., the No. 2-ranked recruit in the state by Rivals, for the rest of the season after he suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of the 38-35 victory.
Messages to Dutch Fork coach Tom Knotts weren’t returned Saturday. Knotts said after the game Friday they were treating it as an ACL injury.
Based on Davis Jr.’s posts on social media Saturday, it didn’t look promising for the four-star recruit.
“This hitting me hard man,” Davis Jr. tweeted.
Many of Davis’ teammates and friends posted messages of support for him on social media Saturday.
“Stay prayed up bro. It’s all in God’s hands Trust me I know it’s hard but just trust the process! We’re Gonna make this run for u,” Dutch Fork offensive lineman Malik Sumter said.
Davis’ injury comes a week after he earned The State’s Player of Week honors following his seven-touchdown, 253-yard performance against Boiling Springs in his first week after moving to running back on a the full-time basis.
Clayton Jones will take over Davis’ spot at tailback. Jones started the year as Dutch Fork’s No. 1 running back and had 44 yards and two TDs Friday night.
Davis was committed to Auburn until earlier this month when he decided to open up his recruiting. He has Auburn, South Carolina, Clemson, Florida State and Georgia in his top five and was scheduled to visit Auburn next weekend.
It’s unclear how the injury will affect his recruitment going forward.
Down go the ranked teams
Three of the teams ranked in the Midlands Top 10 lost Friday – No. 1 Westwood, No. 5 Spring Valley and Ridge View, which was tied for 10th with White Knoll.
Lexington’s 38-16 win over Westwood means Chapin will likely take over the top spot when the poll is released Tuesday.
Spring Valley suffered its first loss with a 21-20 defeat to Irmo, while Nation Ford defeated Ridge View 41-36. Three of the Blazers’ four games have been decided by five points or less.
De-fense
Airport recorded its second straight shutout Friday with a 16-0 win over Richland Northeast. It’s the first time that has happened since 2000 when the Eagles blanked Brookland-Cayce and Dutch Fork to start the season.
Airport is 4-0 for the first time since 2011 when it went 9-1 in the regular season and made it to the second round of the Class 3A playoffs.
Mickens update
Westwood junior defensive back Mark Mickens had a tracheostomy put in this week, according to his mother Dot Mickens.
Mark Mickens remains hospitalized after suffering a neck injury against Clover on Sept. 4. Dot Mickens posted on Facbook that her son asked about his teammates and what he can eat once the tracheostomy gets removed.
“In the midst of all of what’s happened to him, he has a beautiful heart and a warrior spirit!” Mickens wrote. “Our concern is getting the breathing under control because when that happens, he gets to go to Rehab where the real work begins. So, all my prayer warriors out there, our requests for prayer are quick healing of the respiratory system and total healing of the bruising on his spinal cord.”
Top performers
Cole Douglas (Dutch Fork) – Had game-winning TD run with 24 seconds left in 38-35 win over Dorman. Was 14-of-22 passing for 214 yards and a TD and rushed for 129 yards and a TD.
Terrence Wilson (Batesburg-Leesville) – Rushed for 171 yards and four TDs. Now has 68 career TDs, five short of tying the school record.
Graham Smith (Hammond) – Was 19-of-27 passing for 211 yards with a TD and also rushed for 62 yards and three scores.
Logan Bailey (Chapin) – Added to his Midlands-leading TD total with four more scores, three passing and one rushing. Threw for 246 yards and rushed for 58.
Majerle Poole (Keenan) – Was 13-of-18 passing for 194 yards and also rushed for a score against Columbia.
Slade Carroll (Lexington) – Rushed for 112 yards and three TDs in helping Wildcats knock off Westwood.
Cardinal Newman defense – Cards’ defense recorded two defensive touchdowns in win over Augusta Christian.
Maurice Jones (White Knoll) – Ran for 159 yards and two touchdowns in win over Swansea.
David Israel (Blythewood) – Threw for 176 yards and three touchdowns in win over Clover.
Ones to watch
Here is a look at some of next week’s top games in the Midlands for next week:
Airport at AC Flora – Eagles are off to 4-0 start, while Flora has won three straight after opening loss.
Carolina Forest at Lexington – Game became a little more interesting after Carolina Forest knocked off Myrtle Beach on Friday. It will be first true home game of season for Lexington.
Sumter at Dutch Fork – Rematch of 2013 Class 4A Division I championship won by Dutch Fork. Sumter off to 4-1 starter under new coach Mark Barnes.
Irmo at Blythewood – Irmo knocked off one ranked opponent in Spring Valley last week, but can the Yellow Jackets make it two in a row against Blythewood?
This story was originally published September 19, 2015 at 8:54 PM.