Dutch Fork upsets top-ranked Fort Dorchester

A determined Dutch Fork rose to the occasion and upset the state’s top-ranked Class 5A team, Fort Dorchester, 35-23 on Thursday night.

The loss ended Fort Dorchester’s 17-game winning streak and came just days after the Patriots were ranked 15th nationally by USA Today.

Dutch Fork gained 407 total yards, most coming in a first half that saw the Silver Foxes take a 21-0 first-quarter lead. Quarterback Reese Nichols passed for 177 yards, and freshman running back Ron Hoff rushed for 102 yards for the Silver Foxes. Receiver Bobby Irby added five receptions for 170 yards and two touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Dutch Fork’s defense stifled and frustrated the explosive Fort Dorchester offense, chasing junior quarterback Dakereon Joyner all over the field. Joyner completed 15 of 33 passes for 179 yards, adding 59 on the ground. Raquan Simmons had five catches for 94 yards for the Patriots, who managed 330 yards.

Dutch Fork (2-0) and ranked third in 5A in the latest SC prep media poll, wasted no time in showing the Patriots they meant business. The Silver Foxes took their first possession 67 yards on seven plays, with Nichols hitting Austin Connor with a 2-yard touchdown pass just 1:07 into the game.

After the defense forced a punt, Nichols capped a 50-yard drive with a 13-yard pass to Irby, upping the lead to 14-0. Another stop by the Dutch Fork defense set up a 59-yard drive and Chris Colburn scored on a 14-yard run to up the lead to 21-0 with still 1:13 left in the first quarter.