WEEK ONE GAME OF THE WEEK
DUTCH FORK AT MALLARD CREEK
The Silver Foxes of Dutch Fork will travel to Mallard Creek and take on the Mavericks. Mallard Creek returns 12 starters to their line up that played for the 4A football title last season, falling to Wake Forest. Their returners include their top prospect, OL Parker Moorer (6-5, 290). Other starters are Trent Simpson, Sr., RB (6-2, 220); Katrel Shaw, Sr., OL (6-0, 295); Jadyn Washington, Sr., QB (6-1, 175); Jacob Roberts, Sr., LB/SS (6-1, 215); Noah Kyei, Sr., DT/DE (6-2, 285); Adonis Henderson, Sr., DB (6-1, 175); Caleb Bryant, Sr., DE/LB (6-3, 221); Demonte Furman, So., WR (5-7, 155).
While the Mavs return their starting QB from a year ago, Jadyn Washington (pictured left), they also got a transfer in, Casey Kelly, the younger brother of Denver Broncos QB Chad Kelly and nephew of former Bills QB Jim Kelly. They also got in a transfer running back Charles Mincey (5-9, 176) from California who has multiple Power Five offers.
Dutch Fork will take the field with what may be Coach Tom Knotts best team since he’s been there. They return nine starters to the offense if you count both tight ends and they will need it to get some points on the board. QB Ty Olenchuk, Gage Zirke and Jalin Hyat at WR, Ron Hoff at RB and the line will be anchored by Jalen Duffie, Isaiah Wright, Kam Stewart, and tight ends Jordan Springs and Colin Donelson. Defensively, the Foxes return just five starters but are loaded with first year guys with play time under their belt. Starters returning are DE Kendrick Allen, NG Jamar Walker, ILB, Josiah Commander, OLB Jarvis McClurkin and Hugh Ryan at SS.
2017 FINISHES
Dutch Fork, 13-1, SC State 5A Champion
Mallard Creek, 14-1, NC State 4A Runner-Up
HOW IT COULD PLAY OUT
Last season, the Mavericks struggled in the playoffs to score points, scoring just 29 points sin their final three games. They have averaged only 30 points per game in the past two seasons but have a new offensive coordinator who hopes to get the Mavericks back to their 46 points per game they had from 2010-2015. He has talent on the offense to work with, two DI running backs and the luxury of two good quarterbacks.
Dutch Fork returns nine to an offense that scored 44 points per game in 2017. Experience at quarterback and two of the state’s top offensive weapons at running back and wide receiver will help this team do more of the same. Defensively they gave up just 13 points per game last year but did lose seven starters from that unit.
I think the Silver Foxes put the Mavs defense to the test. Last season, they were touch on the defensive side, allowing just 11 points per game. But against quality opponents, they gave up 18 points per game. Dutch Fork wills score against this defense. The question is, how well will the Mavs play on offense with the new OC and will the Silver Foxes, who are strong up front and at linebacker, be able to take advantage of just two returning starters to the Mavs offensive line.
SCVARSITY PREDICTION
Dutch Fork by two scores.
