ORANGEBURG, S.C. — The Dutch Fork defense was one of the most effective units in the state during this 2024 season.
After allowing one touchdown in the season opener, the Silver Foxes posted three consecutive shutouts and five shutouts in the next six games.
Their final shutout came in the 5A semifinals as the Kelly Green defeated Spartanburg 24-0.
But Summerville proved to be a different story as Summerville scored 21 points, the most Dutch Fork gave up all season.
In the fourth quarter, Dutch Fork was holding on to a 28-21 lead after missing a field goal with 7:07 left in the game, which would have put the Silver Foxes up two scores.
With Summerville taking over and looking for a game-tying score or more, Summerville convered a 4th-and-1 on its own 29, signalling that there would be likely be no punting on that drive. But on 1st-and 10 from the 32, Dutch Fork defensive end Julian Walker recorded the first of his two sacks on what would turn out to be the penultimate drive of the Green Wave.
Two plays later on 3rd-and-16 from the 26, Walker's second sack of the game would indeed force a punt. The Dutch Fork offense would take over on the 33 and proceeded to march down the field and scored on a Maurice Anderson 38-yard touchdown which sealed the game, a 35-21 victory for Dutch Fork.
A 6-6, 230-pound edge rusher, Julian figures to see his recruiting heat up as he now looks ahead to his senior season of 2026.
No doubt he will get plenty of solid advice from his father, Jamil who is an assistant strength and conditioning coach at South Carolina. The elder Walker has also worked at Georiga, Arkansas and Wisconsin.