Dutch Fork, Fort Dorchester Set For State Semifinal Rematch

When South Carolina powerhouse Fort Dorchester travels to defending state champion Dutch Fork on Friday, it could be for the No. 1 overall seed in the Class 5A playoffs.

Aug 28, 2017 by Kolby Paxton

Dutch Fork, Fort Dorchester Set For State Semifinal Rematch

The following preview was provided by South Carolina high school football expert Will Helms of Palmetto Preps.

When South Carolina powerhouse Fort Dorchester travels to Irmo, SC, to meet defending state champion Dutch Fork on Friday, it could be for the No. 1 overall seed in the Class 5A playoffs.

The host Silver Foxes and visiting Patriots are the No. 1- and 2-ranked teams in 5A, respectively, and may be clear of other competition, at least in the Lower State.

Fort Dorchester enters Friday's game at 2-0 and looking to avenge two losses to Dutch Fork a season ago, when the Patriots went 12-2. As its record suggests, Fort Dorchester dominated all competition it faced, except the Silver Foxes, who rolled to a perfect 15-0 record and the state's first-ever 5A title.

Watch Fort Dorchester at Dutch Fork LIVE on FloFootball on Friday, Sept. 1!

Believe it or not, Dutch Fork may be better this season.

After losing last year's leading passer and receiver to graduation, the Silver Foxes gained a huge weapon in senior wideout Bryce Thompson, formerly of private school Ben Lippen. Thompson transferred to Ben Lippen after his freshman season at Dutch Fork. In the two years since, he's dominated SCISA competition.

In just one game as a senior, Thompson has already proven himself a threat against public school competition. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder caught five passes for 78 yards in Dutch Fork's 51-8 win at Independence (NC) last Thursday, adding 30 rushing yards and a 68-yard punt return touchdown to boot.

Sophomore Graeson Underwood stepped up and won the starting job at quarterback after a heated offseason competition. At Independence, he showed both his talent and his inexperience. Underwood mixed in several pinpoint passes with an interception and fumble in just over two quarters of play.

The Silver Foxes' gameplan will likely revolve around the running game and defense. Sophomore Ron Hoff led the team last season with over 1,700 yards and 28 touchdowns on the ground, and this year, Dutch Fork will continue to rely on him as the offense's top option. Playing only the first half, Hoff averaged 5.6 yards on 12 carries, scoring twice in the contest.

That was more than enough for head coach Tom Knott's suffocating defense. Against his old team, Knotts saw the Silver Foxes give up just 16 yards and a single first down in the entire first half, taking a 38-0 lead into the break.

Led by senior linebackers Blake Branham and Alex Smith, the Dutch Fork defense is one of the best in the state. However, it will face a dangerous Fort Dorchester offense led by dual-threat quarterback Dakereon Joyner. A South Carolina commit, the reigning Gatorade State Player of the Year put up over 4,700 total yards and 56 touchdowns as a junior.

Ranked as the nation's No. 10 dual-threat quarterback, the Elite 11 finalist is off to a sizzling start as a senior. On Aug. 18, Joyner engineered a quick comeback against Dorman after the half, leading four straight touchdown drives to start the third quarter, tossing two scores and running in another two en route to a 35-14 win.

Last week against Colleton County, Joyner completed 13 of 17 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns in less than three quarters of work.

Like Dutch Fork, the Patriots are also loaded at the skill positions. Led by seniors Justin Williams and Raquan Simmons, the Fort Dorchester receiving corps is deep, fast, and reliable. Simmons is coming off a career performance against Colleton County, highlighted by three touchdown receptions, all featuring long runs after the catch.

The state's No. 2 team also has a top-notch defense, led by senior linebacker Kenneth Brown. Apart from the two losses to the Silver Foxes, the 2016 Patriots allowed just 14 points a game last season.

The offensive key for Fort Dorchester will be to get Joyner in space, putting him in position to make plays with both his arm and his legs. The Patriots defense needs to stop the run on early downs, forcing Underwood into third-and-long passing situations.

On the flip side, Dutch Fork will have to limit Fort Dorchester's screen game, which has been the bread and butter of the Patriots' offensive attack this season. The Silver Foxes will look to force the visitors into a more traditional running game that allows the Dutch Fork defensive line to pin its ears back and rush Joyner with reckless abandon.

The Silver Foxes' offense will also look to challenge the Fort Dorchester corners with deep passes. If Underwood can hit Thompson once or twice, the Patriots will be forced to take a man out of the box, allowing Hoff room to run.

Though both offenses have the ability score, we expect this game to be lower scoring than either of last year's contests. The teams may feel each other out for a few drives, but the game should be a competitive one -- and one every fan should be sure to watch.

How to Watch Fort Dorchester vs. Dutch Fork

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