The 2024 football season is heating up with an exciting matchup between White Knoll and Irmo, two of South Carolina’s standout teams. Both squads have shown impressive performances, but their paths to this point reveal significant differences in strength and consistency.

Team Records and Rankings

• White Knoll comes into this matchup with a solid 8-5 record, though they’ve faced some tough competition in both their region and non-region games. Their region record stands at 1-4, but they’ve posted a 4-2 record at home, showing that they can hold their own on their turf. The team has managed to score 411 points while allowing 270, giving them an average of 31.6 points per game.
• Irmo, on the other hand, boasts an impressive 12-1 record, with a dominant 5-1 region record. Their only loss came to Dutch Fork, and they’ve been virtually unstoppable in other matchups, securing a perfect 7-0 record at home. Irmo’s total points scored so far is 503, with only 196 points allowed, resulting in an average of 38.7 points per game.

Head-to-Head: Irmo Dominates White Knoll

In the teams’ first encounter of the season on October 18, 2024, Irmo emerged victorious with a decisive 35-21 win over White Knoll. Irmo’s performance was strong across all four quarters, as they outscored White Knoll 14-0 in the first half and then held onto their lead in the second. White Knoll showed resilience, but Irmo’s offensive firepower proved too much.

Key Player Matchups

• White Knoll’s Key Player: Aaron “AJ” Brand Jr. has been a standout for White Knoll, leading the team in both rushing and passing yards. He averages 137.3 rushing yards per game and 196.5 passing yards per game, contributing a total of 333.8 yards per game. Brand’s dual-threat capabilities will be critical if White Knoll hopes to disrupt Irmo’s dominance.
• Irmo’s Key Player: Irmo’s offensive success can be attributed to a balanced attack, but quarterback play and key receivers have stood out. Irmo’s offense averages 434 yards per game, with impressive rushing yards per game at 252.6 and passing yards per game at 181.4. The team’s ability to spread the ball out and keep defenses guessing will be crucial in the playoffs.

Scoring Comparisons

• White Knoll has been more consistent in the first half of games, averaging 8.4 points in the first quarter and 11.7 points in the second quarter. However, their production drops off in the second half, especially in the third quarter (6.0) and fourth quarter (5.6).
• Irmo has been a more explosive team overall, with 11.4 points in the first quarter and 11.8 in the second. Their scoring continues throughout the game, with 6.5 points in the third and 8.5 in the fourth, demonstrating their ability to maintain a high level of play in all four quarters.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced several of the same opponents during the season, with Irmo holding a clear advantage in the win-loss column. Irmo has gone 6-1 against common opponents, while White Knoll is 2-3. Some of their head-to-head results include:

• Irmo defeated River Bluff 35-14, while White Knoll lost to them 24-21.
• Irmo dominated Dutch Fork 55-21, while White Knoll suffered a 38-0 loss to the same team.
• In their final regular-season matchups, both teams triumphed over Chapin—Irmo winning 55-21 and White Knoll edging out a 35-14 victory.

Playoff Implications

As the season progresses, both teams are gearing up for a strong playoff push. Irmo, with their 12-1 record and proven playoff pedigree, is seen as one of the top contenders, while White Knoll will need to shake off their midseason struggles if they hope to make a deep run. Irmo’s stellar home record (7-0) gives them a clear edge in postseason play, but White Knoll has proven resilient enough to pull off upsets in high-pressure situations.

This upcoming playoff clash will be a critical test for both teams, as they battle not only for regional supremacy but also for the chance to secure a state championship berth. Fans can expect a thrilling contest between these two talented squads, with Irmo’s high-scoring offense and White Knoll’s all-around talent colliding in what promises to be a hard-fought game.