Kamryn Jackson, Spartanburg Herald-JournalSat, November 29, 2025 at 4:34 AM UTC·2 min readIRMO — The scene was filled with teary eyes and hugs that only last so long when someone has played their last high school football game.
Throughout the season, Dorman football left it all out on the field for 13 games, 52 quarters, and 624 minutes for a chance to reach the state championship game for the first time since 2019.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn the game that mattered most, the Cavaliers' best wasn’t enough.
And it led to a 30-10 loss to Dutch Fork on Nov. 28 at Dutch Fork High School in the Class 5A Division 1 semifinals.
“I’m still proud of these guys,” Dorman coach Jake Morris said. “They played all the way till the end and didn’t quit. I hate it ended this way for them, but they have nothing to hang their heads about. It’s been a great year.”
Dorman looked in control to start, kicking things off with a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, with junior receiver Tre’Gan Mickler catching a 10-yard touchdown pass.
But the momentum completely shifted after sophomore Kareem Dupree picked off Dorman quarterback Meek Slydell. Dutch Fork scored on the ensuing drive to tie the game at 10-all heading into halftime.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSlydell finished 11-of-27 for 79 yards with one touchdown and interception. Junior running back Nick Means rushed for 71 yards on 20 attempts.
Beating the Silver Foxes wouldn’t have been a small feat. After all, the team hasn’t lost a playoff game since LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA championship in 2016, winning nine straight state titles under coach Tom Knotts.
MORE: SC high school football playoff scores from SCHSL state semifinals
Nonetheless, Morris isn’t one to make excuses. And even in a loss, he’s thankful for all Dorman football has granted — especially his senior class.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Going from 6-4 last season to 10-3 this year is remarkable,” he said. “These seniors are extremely special to me. They’re the first class I’ve had here since I became the head coach. They could’ve left, but they didn’t. All the good that happened this year … they’re a big reason for it.”
Kamryn Jackson covers high school and college sports for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, Greenville News and Anderson Independent Mail, and the USA TODAY Network. Please email her at [email protected] and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @KamxJack.
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Dorman football falls to Dutch Fork in Class 5A-D1 SCHSL semifinals
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