Friday was a good night to be a Homecoming King at Gilbert High School.

Senior quarterback Jy Tolen was bestowed that honor prior to the 7th-ranked Indians’ Region 5-5A opener against Swansea. He threw for 368 yards and 5 TDs, all in the first half, to lead Gilbert to a 47-0 win over the Tigers.

The game started with Jarrett Cason picking off Pryce Whitten on Swansea’s first possession. Tolen then found Holt for the first of 3 touchdown pass plays between the two for the game’s first score from 30 yards. 

After Holt recovered the onside kick, Tolen and Holt hooked up again for a 3-yard touchdown to make it 14-0. On Gilbert’s next possession, Tolen connected with Matt Reed for a 14-yard touchdown to make it 21-0 with 1:28 left in the 1st quarter.

After another recovered onside kick, Tolen found Dre Harris from 43 yards to put Gilbert up 28-0 with 57.9 seconds left in the first quarter.

In the 2nd quarter, Dre Cook converted a 3rd and 29 with a long reception. It set up a 2nd effort 4-yard touchdown run to make it 34-0 with 8:59 left in the half after the blocked PAT.

Swansea’s next 2 possessions ended with turnovers. Following an interception by Holt, he turned a short pass by Tolen into a 30-yard touchdown run with 1:21 left in the first half.

Tolen finished 19-21 passing for 368 yards and did not throw in the second half. Gilbert’s final score came with 1:21 left on an 84-yard scoring run by Alex Dinkins following a Gage Gunter interception.

The win gave head coach Chad Leaphart his 35th career win at his alma mater. He’s the fastest to reach that win total in the school history.

Gilbert will have a bye before returning to action at home against Storm Thurmond. 

Dutch Fork 55, Chapin 10 

Ty Olenchuk completed 19-22 passes for 311 yards and 6 TDs as the 3-time defending Class 5A champion Silver Foxes continued their winning ways.

This marked the 32nd consecutive game without a loss for Dutch Fork (6-0-1, 1-0). It was also the 31st straight win against South Caroina teams and both the 20th straight victory both on the road and in region play.

Jalin Hyatt had 2 of Olenchuk’s 6 TDs and finished with 134 receiving yards. Running back Jon Hall had 96 rushing yards and 2 TDs and the defense held the Eagles to 53 rushing yards.

Roger Pedroni threw for 169 yards and Chapin’s lone score came on a 1-yard run by Conner Lehman. 

Dutch Fork plays host to River Bluff in a matchup of undefeated Region 5-5A teams. Chapin (3-3, 0-1) travels to White Knoll. 

Airport 24, Midland Valley 21

Haden Rimer’s 16-yard field goal as time expired lifted the Eagles to a crucial win over the Mustangs in their Region 4-4A opener.

Airport (4-2, 1-0) will embark on a 3-game road trip starting next ween at Midland Valley. 

OTHER CHRONICLE COUNTRY SCORES

Irmo 27, Spring Valley 26
Gray Collegiate 28, Lamar 26 

Brookland-Cayce 41, North Augusta 14 

Airport 24, Midland Valley 21

Abbeville 30, Batesburg-Leesville 6

Northside Christian 50, Cathedral Academy 14 

Jefferson Davis Academy 54, W.W. King 6 

Lexington 45, White Knoll 27