A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE DUTCH FORK HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR A REMARKABLE SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2022 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Dutch Fork High School football team of Richland County garnered the state trophy from the state championship game held at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium on the campus of Benedict College on Saturday, December 3, 2022; and

Whereas, to the excitement of their faithful fans, the Dutch Fork Silver Foxes clinched the title from their rival Fort Dorchester High School with a decisive 47-10 victory, their seventh state trophy, and finished the season with a 14-1 record; and

Whereas, Dutch Fork's defense was relentless, forcing three fumbles and two sacks, and holding the Patriots to their lowest point total in two years. Meanwhile, star running back Jarvis Green had a phenomenal day with 241 yards and three touchdowns. He was named the 2022-2023 Gatorade South Carolina Football Player of the Year; and

Whereas, one of the most dominant programs in the Carolinas, Dutch Fork has played in ten state title games in the last eleven years, and before the 2021 loss in the state championship game, the team had a 62-game winning streak; and

Whereas, in 2010, Tom Knotts became the head football coach at Dutch Fork High School where he has led the Silver Foxes to ten state championship matches in the last eleven seasons. As of this championship game, Coach Knotts' playoff record is 46-6; and

Whereas, Coach Knotts led the Silver Foxes to five back-to-back state championships from 2016 to 2020, seven altogether. Only 26 coaches of high school football nationwide have won 14 or more state championship titles, and Coach Knotts ranks among them, having won seven state titles in North Carolina to add to the seven in South Carolina at Dutch Fork, and he has accrued 451 career wins; and

Whereas, in a sport that exacts stamina and expertise, Coach Knotts and his skilled coaching staff maximized their own athletic experience and training to reproduce a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes life principals that will endure beyond the gridiron; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the pride and recognition that the Dutch Fork football players have brought to their school and to their community, and the members look forward to hearing of their continued accomplishments in the seasons to come. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Dutch Fork High School varsity football team, coaches, and school officials for a remarkable season and congratulate them for winning the 2022 South Carolina Class AAAAA State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Gerald Gary, Principal of Dutch Fork High School, and to Coach Tom Knotts.

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