Dorman Falls to Dutch Fork in Upperstate

It was a matchup to look forward to on Black Friday night down in the midlands. The Dutch Fork Silver Foxes, as has become something of a trademark in the 15 years Tom Knotts has been the Head Coach there, were playing their best football when it matters the most with a shot at making their 10th straight 5A state championship game appearance. On the other side of the coin, so were the Dorman Cavaliers, albeit having not played for a state title since 2020.

In a season in which Dorman checked off a lot of boxes for the progress of their program under Coach Jake Morris – a region 2-5A championship, 10 wins – including an impressive rout of Ridge View a week ago at home in the upper state quarterfinals, and a berth in Friday night’s semifinals, there was little doubt that if anyone could beat the Foxes in the upstate, it was the Cavs. But, making the upset happen would require near perfect execution of a similar game plan to what they did against Ridge View.

That plan? Be more physical, dominate the line of scrimmage, and run the ball.

Early on, the Cavaliers did just that, forcing the Silver Foxes to punt on their opening series and then marching down to the Dutch Fork 1 yardline. Lining up to go for it on 4th and goal, they were backed up by a false start, forcing the Cavaliers to have to settle for a 24 yard Ranson Farr field goal to take a 3-0 lead with 2:28 to play in the 1st quarter – which they held into the 2nd stanza.

The two sides then traded punts until Dutch Fork quarterback Jaxon Knotts overthrew his intended receiver along the near sideline with just over 10 minutes to play in the first half. Ja’Bez Thomas ran underneath the floated pass and caught it over his shoulder on the run for his 10th interception of the season. After being run out of bounds at the Silver Fox 37 on the return, the Cavaliers were able to capitalize on the turnover thanks in part to another big play by Thomas where he converted a 4th and 1 on a direct snap to put the ball on the Dutch Fork 26. Two plays later, Nick Means converted a 3rd and 6 with the first of back to back big run plays that set up the game’s first touchdown. Dorman QB Meek Slydell rolled out to his right after the snap and fired to Tre’Gan Mickler in the flat along the near sideline for a 9 yard score to open up a 10-0 advantage with 6:48 to play in the half.

Unfortunately, that was the last time Dorman was able to capitalize on a turnover – or score in general – in this game. After forcing yet another Dutch Fork 3 and out, the Cavaliers found themselves in a third and 18. Slydell would end up being intercepted, and after the return set the Silver Foxes up at plus 38, they wrote the story for the rest of the game.

Dutch Fork was able to capitalize with a 4th down conversion of their own. Needing a yard, Quinton Wilson ran a sweep towards the wide side of the field to get the edge. Once he got there, nothing was stopping him from punching in the 13-yard touchdown that cut the deficit to 3.

On Dorman’s ensuing possession, they drove 30 yards to around midfield when Slydell was stripped trying to step up in the pocket. The fumble went right into the arms of a defender who was ruled down at the Silver Fox 48 with about 30 seconds left to play in the half. While the Dorman defense held them to a game-tying 35 yard fieldgoal, once again the Foxes had capitalized on a turnover – with 10 unanswered points to end the first half.

The Cavaliers got the ball to start the 2nd half, but the script got flipped quickly. The Cavaliers’ success of attacking the edge in the first 24 minutes did not carry over and Dutch Fork began to win the battle at the line of scrimmage. Dorman went three and out on each of their first 2 series of the 2nd stanza, which allowed the Silver Foxes to wear their defense down with methodical drives in which they averaged about 5 yards per play.

But before that, the Silver Foxes jumped in front with an explosive play – a 42 yard TD run by Sheldon Shine. From that point, they never looked back. Dorman had their chances to take advantage of a couple of Dutch Fork turnovers that came on the Cavs’ side of the 50. But, 4 of their 6 2nd half possessions ended in a punt while another ended in a turnover on downs that led to a Knotts 16 yard TD rush on an option keeper 2 plays later – essentially putting the game away

By the time the clock hit all zeros, Dutch Fork had hung 30 unanswered points to punch their ticket to Orangeburg once again, outgaining Dorman 342 total yards to 172. The Cavaliers were just 5 for 13 on 3rd down and turned the ball over 3 times – leading to 16 points for the Silver Foxes.

Meek Slydell finished the night 11 for 27 passing with 79 yards, and a touchdown to go with 4 rushing attempts for 11 yards. Three Dorman receivers – Corey Cole, Dai’Shon Watkins-Hymes, and Kamdyn Miller logged 22 yards each on a combined 10 catches. Nick Means ran the ball 20 times for 71 yards to lead the ground game and Ja’Bez Thomas tallied an impressive 84 all-purpose yards. The Dorman defense also had some impressive figures. Kentavion Anderson logged 14 tackles – 11 of which were unassisted. Antwone Tarrance added 11 tackles – 8 solo with 1 and a half sacks. Jordan Darby also had over 5 tackles with 7, three of which were without assistance.

Dorman finishes the 2025 season with a 10-3 record, making for the first double-digit win season for the program since 2019. The undeniable progress of the program as well as the foundation built by this senior class gives a bright outlook that has many already saying in full confidence – the Cavaliers will be right back here next year. Only time will tell if they are right. But, the future is indeed looking bright out in Roebuck.

“The turnaround of this program from last year to now is remarkable”, said Morris of the Cavaliers’ season after making his way through a group of players – many of which he shared a heartfelt embrace with after the game.

“It is these seniors”, said Morris with a tone that was simultaneously proud and heartbroken. “They are extremely special to me and we are forever grateful for what they have done. They stuck with us and they got us to where we are. They did not quit all the way to the end tonight. I hate that it ended this way for them, but we have nothing to hang our heads about because it has been a great year.”

Morris closed the book on the season by once again giving all the credit to his seniors for their loyalty and the foundation they have laid.

“This is really my first class that I have had here as the Head Coach. They stuck with me. They could have left and they did not, and everything that happened this season – all the good – the credit belongs to them.”