Dutch Fork captures its second straight SCHSL 5A state championship

Quarterback Jon Hunt leads the Silver Foxes to an impressive win over White Knoll
Dutch Fork captures its second straight SCHSL 5A state championship
Dutch Fork captures its second straight SCHSL 5A state championship /

Quarterback Jon Hunt ran for a pair of touchdowns and Dutch Fork played stellar defense as the Silver Foxes beat region rival White Knoll 21-6 in the 5-A state championship game Friday night at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

It was the second straight state title for Dutch Fork and seventh in the last eight seasons. Dutch Fork finished the season on an eight-game winning streak after starting the season 2-5. Dutch Fork won its eighth state championship, all under coach Tom Knotts, who has 15 state championships in his 38-year career.

Dutch Fork 2023

K.J. Smith ran for the other Dutch Fork touchdown.

White Knoll ended the season 14-1. The Timberwolves beat Dutch Fork 17-14 in their regular-season meeting.

Lincoln Ilunga's fumble recovery in the end zone had provided White Knoll with a 6-0 halftime lead.

Refresh for the latest updates throughout the game.

FINAL: DUTCH FORK 21, WHITE KNOLL 6

-DF makes fourth down stop, takes over at WK 46 with 2:57 left.

-TOUCHDOWN! K.J. Smith scores on a 4-yard run out of the wildcat with 6:03 to go.

-Three-and-out for WK and a 5-yard punt sets DF up at the Timberwolves' 18.

-WF defense holds the line, forces punt and takes over at its 18 with 11:23 remaining.

-Yet another three-and-out for WK. DF has ball at its own 43.

END 3Q: DUTCH FORK 14, WHITE KNOLL 6

-TOUCHDOWN! Hunt scores on another 2-yard keeper with 1:05 left in the third.

-DF first-and-goal at the 2.

-Hunt scrambles for a first down at the 23.

-Sack and a short punt puts DF at the WK 35.

-TOUCHDOWN! Jon Hunt with the 2-yard keeper. DF leads with 6:53 left in the third.

-DF advances into the red zone.

-Trent Lodge runs 31 yards to the WK 39.

-Three-and-out for WK to start the second half. DF at its own 45.

HALFTIME: WHITE KNOLL 6, DUTCH FORK 0

-DF defense stops WH again.

-Another three-and-out for DF.

-Fourth down pass falls incomplete. DF takes over at its 22 with 3:30 left in the half.

-Big run by WK QB Landon Sharpe, plus a facemask on DF. Ball at DF 27.

-Connor Burgess with the interception for White Knoll.

-Three-and-out for White Knoll offense. Great field position for Dutch Fork at the Timberwolves' 34.

-White Knoll defense denies Dutch Fork again. Timberwolves take over at their 9 following a punt with 9:43 left in the half.

END 1Q: WHITE KNOLL 6, DUTCH FORK 0

-

-TOUCHDOWN! Bad snap. White Knoll's Lincoln Ilunga recovers fumble in the end zone with 1:45 left.

-White Knoll reaches midfield on first drive but has to punt.

-Long drive by Dutch Fork to open the game results in a missed 26-yard field goal attempt.

DUTCH FORK VS. WHITE KNOLL

- Kickoff is schedule for 8:00 p.m.


Published
Mike Duprez
MIKE DUPREZ

Mike Duprez became a freelance sports journalist for Scorebooklive.com several months after retiring from the newspaper business. A native of Oakland, California, Duprez moved around as a child due to his father’s service in the United States Marine Corps. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1981. Duprez, who lives in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, had 30 years of experience in newspapers as well as other endeavors before retiring at the end of 2021. He covers stories in both North Carolina and South Carolina for Scorebooklive.com.