Dutch Fork dominates Independence in season opener
After waiting out a two-hour lightning delay, Dutch Fork wasted little time in establishing its dominance Friday night in a 45-0 thrashing of Independence (N.C.) in the season-opener at home.
Reese Nichols threw for 144 yards and two touchdowns and Dutch Fork ran for two more in a dominant first-half performance. The Silver Foxes also added a special teams touchdown as they held a 35-0 lead at the half.
Dutch Fork (1-0) had a chance to play several backups in the second half.
“It was a good first win,” Dutch Fork coach Tom Knotts said. “We got to play some young kids and that will help us. We’re thin at some spots and some of these young guys will need to step up.”
The game was billed as Knotts facing off against a team he coached to six state titles and a 109-game winning streak in the 2000s. But the dynasty that Knotts help build has faced a tumultuous start to the season.
A week ago, Independence fired first-year coach Scott Young, and long-time assistant Hal Brown took over on an intern basis. Long had seven days to install a new offense, and Knotts and Brown are friends.
“I never would have scheduled this game if I could’ve found another one,” Knotts told the Charlotte Observer this week. “We couldn’t find another game, except a 1A school that was dying to play us. I don’t want to play them, and now Hal Brown is the interm coach. That makes it even worse.”
TURNING POINT
Independence trailed 14-0 when an interception by Vonrique Brown gave the Patriots possession at the Dutch Fork 13-yard line. They had to settle for a field goal attempt but it was blocked. Braxton Carr caught it in midair and raced 91 yards for the score and a 21-0 lead.
KEY PERFORMERS
Reese Nichols: The Dutch Fork senior quarterback has waited his turn and it paid off in a big way Friday. Nichols threw for 144 yards and two touchdowns and added 33 yards rushing. His scoring passes were 16 yards to Bryson Cannon and 62 yards to Bobby Irby.
Shane Savage: The senior defensive lineman for the Silver Foxes disrupted the Independence offense all night. He caused a fumble on the first series that Dutch Fork converted in a touchdown eight plays later.
KEY NUMBERS
3: Independence had a week to install a new offense and clearly doesn’t have a No. 1 quarterback, using three different ones in the first half alone.
129: Total receiving yards for Irby. The senior had six catches and two touchdowns, the 62-yarder from Nichols and a 24-yarder from Graeson Underwood.
THEY SAID IT
“I’m glad to get this one over with. They’re in a little bit of a disarray losing their coach like they did.” – Dutch Fork coach Tom Knotts
“I liked the way our defense was flying around. They were creating some issues for Independence. We’ve switched to a 3-4 and we dominated inside. We had pressure all night.” – Knotts
“It was a big game with coach Knotts coming from Independence so we wanted to get that one for him.” – Dutch Fork QB Reese Nichols
HOW THEY SCORED
1st Quarter
DF – Chris Colburn 1 run (Ford Williams kick) 8:37
DF – Bryson Cannon 16 pass from Reese Nichols (Williams kick) 1:49
2nd Quarter
DF – Braxton Carr 91 blocked field goal return (Williams kick) 9:45
DF – Bobby Irby 62 pass from Nichols (Williams kick) 5:01
DF – Ron Hoff 11 run (Williams kick) 0:44
3rd Quarter
DF – Irby 24 pass from Graeson Underwood (Williams kick) 0:23
4th Quarter
DF – Williams 24 FG 7:05
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing: I: Blake Hackworth 2-9, Xavier Marshall 6-9,, Elijah Beamer 6-25, Taylor Teti 5-10, Wes Cook 5-(-23), team 1-(-9). DF: Reese Nichols 8-33, Chris Colburn 5-17, Ron Hoff 6-35, Jesse Ragin 4-12, Josue Paredes 2-10, Taison Thomas 3-9, Graeson Underwood 1-(-1)
Passing: I: Teti 4-11-1-34, Cook 3-9-1-36. DF: Nichols 8-20-1-144, Underwood 3-4-0-47
Receiving: I: Jaylen Riley 3-47, Xavier Lenear 1-9, Zach Hunt 1-8, Marshall 1-5, Dylan Bryant 1-1. DF: Bobby Irby 6-129, Bryson Cannon 3-35, Liam Reid 1-21, Taj Thomas 1-6.