There’s a reason why Dutch Fork is one of the best high school football programs in the Palmetto State. Friday night, at South Carolina State University, the Silver Foxes capped an incredible comeback season by beating White Knoll 21-6 for the 5A state championship. It’s the school’s seventh state title in the last eight years and eighth overall.
This one wasn’t likely in early October. After losing to White Knoll 17-14 on October 6, DF stood at 2-5, a far fall from starting the season ranked No. 11 in the High School Football America 300 preseason national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football.
The good news for Dutch Fork fans is head coach Tom Knotts knows a thing or to about creating a path to a state championship. Knotts, the 2019 High School Football America Coach of the Year, turned things around starting with a 41-8 win over Chapin on October 12. Eight straight wins later, the Silver Foxes are champs, again.
The title is the 15th overall for Knotts, who won seven at Independence High School in North Carolina.
The win will boost Dutch Fork in the national rankings that will be released Sunday. Heading into the 5A title game, DF was ranked No. 229. White Knoll was ranked No. 201 at gametime.
