Neither persistent rain nor wind kept Dutch Fork from accomplishing its historic goal Friday at Benedict College.

In an unprecedented year due to covid-19, the Silver Foxes did what 6 other SC High School League football programs could not. 

It completed a 5-peat for the 1st time in state history.

The Silver Foxes defeated TL Hanna in the Class 5A final. It was the 50th straight game without a loss, the 49th consecutive in-state victory and state-record 24th playoff win in a row.

More important, the win clinched a 4th consecutive undefeated regular season and etched a permanent place in the SCHSL Palmetto’s Finest book for the Silver Foxes (10-0). 

“We tried to make things as normal as possible,” said Dutch Fork head coach Tom Knotts, who won his 6th state title at Dutch Fork and 13th overall for his career. “But we said we wanted to be here. It wasn’t just enough to be here. We had to win. I’m so proud of them. There was pressure all year to get here and they did a great job.”

All of the scoring occurred in the 1st half.

Quarterback Will Taylor and running back Jarvis Green each rushed for 2 touchdowns as Dutch Fork amassed 326 of its 373 total yards in the 1st half. 

The Silver Foxes opened the game with a 4-play, 69-yard scoring drive. It started with a long run by Green and he ended it with a 11-yard touchdown run.

TL Hanna answered with a scoring drive to get within 7-6. A 59-yard run by DJ Brownlee set up a 1st and goal at the 10-yard line.

On 3rd and goal, the Silver Foxes forced a fumble and had 2 attempts at making the recovery. After momentarily having possession on the 2nd recovery, Dutch Fork lost the football and TL Hanna regained the football at the 9-yard line.

Kabrail Morrison scored on a 1-yard run, but the PAT failed.

Dutch Fork’s next possession opened with a 57-yard reception by Devin Hyatt. On the play, Hyatt suffered an injury and was seen wearing a sling on his right arm.

Dutch Fork was penalized 3 straight times, but Taylor scored on a 21-yard run to make it 14-6 in the 1st quarter.

With 21 seconds left in the 1st quarter, Green scored from 8 yards to extend the lead to 21-6. He finished with 137 rushing yards, 103 in the 1st half. 

"It's just weather," said Green after the wet conditions. "They always say you've got to keep fighting through it and keep going and keep going and you'll come out and succeed." 

The lone score of the 2nd quarter came with 3:24 left on a 4-yard touchdown run by Taylor. He finished with 147 yards on 6-8 passing and 82 rushing yards. 

As the rain increased in strength to start the 2nd half, both teams struggled to score. A couple of errant snaps helped stall potential drives for Dutch Fork, while TL Hanna was limited to a ground game which allowed them to win the time of possession battle.

The Yellow Jackets held the football for 26 minutes and finished with 212 total yards, all on the ground. Quarterback Trey Horne failed to complete all 3 of his pass attempts.

As time expired, the Silver Foxes converged on the field in celebration. Despite the wet conditions, the joy of winning made the effort all worthwhile.

“Making history, man, it just feels great,” Green said. “I’m just going to celebrate this and, next, it’s going to be 6.”

The "Weekend of Champions" continue Saturday with 3 title games, 2 at Benedict College. The Class A title game between Southside Christian and Lake View will take place at 11:30 am and the Class 4A title game between AC Flora, whose head coach is Lexington High graduate and former running back Dustin Curtis, and North Myrtle Beach is set for 7:30 pm. The latter game can be seen on Spectrum Channel 1250 or streamed for a fee online at www.nfhsnetwork.com. 

The Class 3A title game between Camden and Daniel is scheduled for 3:30 pm at Harry Parone Stadium on the campus of Spring Valley High School.