2026 Public Schools Top 100 Preview: No. 31 Dutch Fork
Quarterback Jaxon Knotts returns as four-time defending state champion Dutch Fork enters South Carolina's new unified Class 5A playoff bracket.
Top 25 Public HSFB7/27/20266 min read
Dutch Fork enters the 2026 season ranked No. 31 in the T25PS Public Schools Preseason Top 100 after extending one of the most successful championship runs in South Carolina history.
The Silver Foxes finished 13-1 and defeated Summerville 40-20 in the Class 5A Division I state championship game to win their fourth consecutive state title. The victory also gave Dutch Fork its 10th state championship since 2013, the program's 300th all-time victory and head coach Tom Knotts' 10th South Carolina championship.
The road to another title changes this season.
South Carolina returns to a unified Class 5A playoff bracket, meaning Dutch Fork will no longer play for a Division I championship. Instead, every top program in the state's largest classification will compete for one title, creating a much more difficult postseason path.
The Silver Foxes also return an experienced quarterback and added one of South Carolina's most impactful transfer classes during the offseason.
Team Snapshot
School: Dutch Fork High School
Location: Irmo, South Carolina
Classification: South Carolina Class 5A
Region: Region 3
2025 Record: 13-1
2025 Finish: Class 5A Division I State Champion
Head Coach: Tom Knotts
T25PS Preseason Ranking: No. 31
2026 Outlook
Dutch Fork returns the player who directed last year's championship run.
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Jaxon Knotts threw for 2,293 yards and 19 touchdowns while adding 323 rushing yards and five more scores. He accounted for four touchdowns in the state championship game against Summerville and enters his senior season with another year in Tom Knotts' offense.
Replacing leading receiver Stone Furrey could have been one of the biggest offseason questions.
Instead, Dutch Fork answered it through the transfer portal.
Brothers Maleek and Corey Miller arrive from Irmo after productive seasons. Maleek finished his junior year with 902 receiving yards, nine receiving touchdowns, 505 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores, giving the Silver Foxes another explosive weapon who can line up all over the field. Corey caught 30 passes for 549 yards as a freshman and gives Dutch Fork another young playmaker with varsity experience.
Kyle Henry also returns after providing balance in the running game during last year's championship season.
The additions weren't limited to offense.
Peyton Bishop transferred from A.C. Flora after recording 108 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks as a junior. Pairing him with returning edge rusher Jaden Wuerth, who finished last season with 11 sacks, gives Dutch Fork one of South Carolina's more disruptive pass-rushing combinations.
Up front, Brody Lorenzo returns to anchor the offensive line, while KJ Dupree gives the secondary another experienced defender as the Silver Foxes replace several graduated starters.
The roster looks different than it did a year ago, but Dutch Fork still returns an experienced quarterback, added proven transfers and brings back enough production to remain the team to beat in South Carolina.
Players to Know
Jaxon Knotts — QB, 2027
Knotts returns after throwing for 2,293 yards and 19 touchdowns while accounting for 24 total touchdowns during Dutch Fork's championship season. He'll once again lead one of South Carolina's most efficient offenses.
Maleek Miller — WR, 2027
The Irmo transfer arrives after producing more than 1,400 yards from scrimmage and 19 total touchdowns. His versatility should make an immediate impact in Dutch Fork's offense.
Peyton Bishop — EDGE, 2027
Bishop transferred from A.C. Flora after recording 108 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. He immediately strengthens an already talented defensive front.
Jaden Wuerth — EDGE, 2027
Wuerth recorded 11 sacks during last year's championship run and now teams with Bishop to give Dutch Fork a dangerous edge combination.
Kyle Henry — RB, 2027
Henry returns after rushing for nearly 600 yards during the 2025 season and should once again play an important role in the offense.
Corey Miller — WR, 2029
After catching 30 passes for 549 yards as a freshman at Irmo, Miller arrives as one of South Carolina's top young receivers and should compete for immediate playing time.
Brody Lorenzo — OL, 2028
Lorenzo returns as one of the leaders along the offensive line and will play a key role protecting Knotts while helping establish another balanced rushing attack.
Schedule Breakdown
Dutch Fork opens the season with three straight road games against Ridge View, Spartanburg and Lucy Beckham before returning home to face Sumter and Gray Collegiate.
Gray Collegiate should provide one of the Silver Foxes' toughest regular-season tests before region play begins.
Region 3 play opens at Lexington before road trips to Chapin and home games against River Bluff and White Knoll wrap up the regular season.
The schedule doesn't feature many nationally recognized opponents, but it includes enough quality teams to prepare Dutch Fork for what should be the state's toughest Class 5A playoff bracket in several years.
2026 Schedule
Aug. 28: at Ridge View
Sept. 4: at Spartanburg
Sept. 11: at Lucy Beckham
Sept. 18: vs. Sumter
Sept. 25: vs. Gray Collegiate
Oct. 2: at Lexington
Oct. 9: at Chapin
Oct. 16: vs. River Bluff
Oct. 30: vs. White Knoll
Biggest Question
How will Dutch Fork handle the unified Class 5A playoffs?
Replacing graduating seniors isn't unusual at Dutch Fork.
Navigating a playoff bracket that now includes every top Class 5A program is.
The Silver Foxes have the quarterback, the transfers and the defensive front to make another championship run, but the road to a fifth straight title will likely be more difficult than any they've faced during the current streak.
T25PS Prediction
Regular Season Prediction:9-0
Postseason Prediction:South Carolina Class 5A State Finalist
Dutch Fork should once again move through the regular season unbeaten and enter the playoffs as one of South Carolina's top contenders.
The return of Jaxon Knotts, the additions of the Miller brothers and Peyton Bishop, and Tom Knotts' track record make another deep postseason run the expectation.
The difference this year is the unified Class 5A bracket. Dutch Fork's path now includes every top team in the state's largest classification, including No. 27 Northwestern (Season preview). The Silver Foxes have more than enough talent to reach another state championship game, but the unified Class 5A bracket creates a much tougher path than Dutch Fork has faced during its current championship run. With Northwestern entering the season as the state's highest-ranked team, the Silver Foxes should once again be in the mix for another title, but a return to the state championship game feels like the safest projection entering the season.
Bottom Line
Dutch Fork enters 2026 with an experienced quarterback, one of South Carolina's strongest transfer classes and another disruptive defensive front.
The Silver Foxes have more than enough talent to make another deep playoff run, but the unified Class 5A bracket presents their toughest postseason path in several years. Another trip to the state championship game is well within reach, even if defending the title will be more difficult than it has been during the current four-year run.
