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Best Tree Service in Summerville, SC

At Planet Green Tree Service, we are firm believers that trees make the world a better place. They provide us with verdant beauty, cool shade, and emergency shelter. They raise our home values, add personality to our neighborhoods, and provide us with clean air to breathe. When your home or business has well-maintained, healthy trees, everyone benefits. That's why we are so passionate about providing our customers with dependable tree services in the Lowcountry.

We believe that honest prices, state-of-the-art equipment, friendly arborists, and good old-fashioned hard work are what set us apart from our competition. With more than 33 years of service in South Carolina, you can rest easy knowing every member of the Planet Green team is committed to the following:

  • Conduct themselves in a professional manner
  • Provide you with exemplary tree care services
  • Arrive at your home or business on time and ready to work
  • Provide you with affordable service rates
  • Meet or exceed our industry standards
  • Utilize the utmost safety when removing or maintaining your trees or shrubs
  • Have full insurance to protect themselves and your home

Our customers mean a lot to us, which is why we strive to provide them the best, most helpful customer service in our industry. When you hire our company to perform a tree service in Summerville, SC, know that we take this responsibility seriously and will always treat your home like we would treat our own. At Planet Green Tree Service, you won't ever have to worry about sneaky hidden fees or outrageous pricing. We believe every homeowner and business owner should have access to affordable tree services, which is why we set our rates at reasonable levels. Our job is to protect your home, your trees, and also your wallet!

Whether your home has overgrown trees that need trimming or you have an unsightly stump that needs grinding, our team of tree experts is here to help. Curious what kind of tree care work we provide to homeowners in South Carolina?

Planet Green specializes in the following areas:

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Tree Trimming in Summerville, SC

Have you noticed your favorite tree growing in a strange shape? Are your trees or shrubs so overgrown that it's making your property and home look unkempt? Are the trees near your home weighed down by dangerous dead branches? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, it might be time to speak with a Planet Green Tree Service professional to find a solution.

Like anything that lives, trees respond to their environment. When trees are not properly maintained, they can cause a whole host of problems for the homeowner. Overgrowth doesn't just look bad - it can be a potential safety hazard and liability for your home. To prevent this from happening, it's crucial that your trees are trimmed and pruned regularly. Trimming your trees and shrubs gives your home a tidy, appealing look and facilitates healthy plant and tree growth.

Because every tree and shrub is different, you must approach tree trimming with a plan. Before you start hacking at your trees with a machete, be sure to contact Planet Green Tree Service. Our team of expert arborists will come to your home and determine the best path to take for your tree trimming needs. We always take into account variables like the strengths, weaknesses, and species of your trees.

Tree And Stump Removal Summerville, SC

Benefits of Tree Trimming in Summerville, SC

For some folks, tree trimming seems like a minor detail in the grand scheme of homeownership. It can be a tedious job, but keeping your trees trimmed and well-maintained is more important than you might think. Below are just a few of the many benefits of keeping your trees and shrubs trimmed:

 Large Tree Removal Summerville, SC

Tree Health

Part of the Planet Green pruning and trimming process includes the removal of damaged, broken, dead, and diseased branches. When ignored, these dead or dying branches can cause harmful fungi to wreak havoc on the trees around your home or business. Removing these weakened branches helps prevent fungi and keeps your trees healthy. In addition, tree trimming also lets more sunlight and air circulation reach your trees, boosting overall health.

 Local Tree Service Summerville, SC

Safety

As longtime residents of South Carolina, we know how dangerous hurricanes and heavy storms can be. Strong winds from these natural occurrences can cause branches to fall or even be carried away with significant force. This is concerning for many homeowners, especially those who have trees lining their driveways, recreational areas, and walking paths. When you trust Planet Green with your trimming needs, you are actually doing your part to "storm proof" your home from hazardous tree-related accidents. If you have low-hanging branches close to your roof or business, pruning these trees can provide more safety and overhead clearance. That way, don't have an anxiety attack every time a storm rolls through your neighborhood.

 Tree Service Summerville, SC

Aesthetics

Nobody likes the look of an overgrown, disheveled tree. Tree trimming improves the general appearance of your tree and makes your whole yard and home look better. Tree trimming also prevents your trees from growing weak branches and crotches and helps stop branches from intertwining with one another.

 Tree Removal Summerville, SC

Developmental Tree Trimming

Pruning younger trees is key to protecting them as they age. This vital tree service in Summerville, SC keeps young trees aesthetically appealing and promotes proper structural integrity and optimal branch structure. In addition, as your home's landscape matures, taking the time to trim young trees reduces the chance of expensive problems like tree failure.

 Tree Pruning Summerville, SC

Types of Tree Trimming

Not all tree trimming services from Planet Green Tree Service are the same. Our experts specialize in a number of different tree trimming services to ensure you are getting the right kind of trim for the appropriate situation. Because even the smallest mistake can permanently affect your tree's health, we approach every tree trimming job with surgeon-like precision. That way, you know your trees are in capable, responsible hands.

 Emergency Tree Removal Summerville, SC

Crown Reduction

When your trees age without the proper kind of care, they can develop too many branches on their interior. Trees like this give great shade, but too much is not a good sign. That's where crown reduction trimming comes in. By reducing the density of your tree's crown, our tree care experts improve its growth rate and health. Crown density reduction also promotes a longer lifespan and a more beautiful appearance.

 Tree Removal Companies Summerville, SC

Deadwooding

As the name implies, deadwooding involves the trimming of dead wood from your trees. Often required in urban and suburban areas, deadwooding a tree makes it look more attractive and livelier, while maintaining the health of your tree's trunk by removing rotted branches. This process also makes it safer for kids and other people who walk underneath or near your tree that may be harmed by rotting branches that fall. Other tree trimming services that Planet Green offers include: hazardous tree assessments, shrub trimming, pruning, cabling, bracing, and corrective trimming.

Stump Removal in Summerville, SC

For most property owners, removing a tree can seem like a major project. While that notion certainly isn't wrong, tree removal is more straightforward and often easier than trying to remove an unsightly stump from your yard. Have you ever wondered why you see so many yards with stumps dotted around the land? It's because they're very difficult to remove. That is why Planet Green Tree Service has been offering stump removal services in South Carolina for more than 33 years. Our skilled stump removal experts bring a wealth of knowledge and cutting-edge tools to every stump removal project they tackle.

The fact of the matter is this: trying to remove a stump on your own is an incredible undertaking. Going the "DIY" route can take weeks to complete, even if you spend an hour or two every day. There's also the issue of operating heavy machinery (which costs time and money to rent) and even light fires to expedite the process, which is dangerous. For these reasons alone, we always recommend that you bring in a professional to remove your tree stump safely and effectively.

 Tree Trimming Service Summerville, SC

Benefits of Stump Removal in Summerville, SC

 Professional Tree Service Summerville, SC

Better Looking Yard

If you are a homeowner that loves sculpted hedges, beautiful landscaping, and a tidy law, removing old tree stumps will feel like a huge weight off of your chest. Stump removal not only gives your home more curb appeal, it can actually raise the value of your home. This is particularly pertinent if you are thinking about listing your home for sale in the near future.

Tree And Stump Removal Summerville, SC

More Space

If your yard is small, even one stump can reduce the amount of space you have in your yard. If you spend a lot of time playing sports or just enjoying your yard space, stump removal is a huge help. After all, nobody wants to toss a football around if there are a bunch of old stumps that you must avoid. Stumps also take up considerable space below ground, with their complicated root systems. Stump removal will give you and your family more room to plant flowers, grow vegetables, install a water feature, and much more.

 Large Tree Removal Summerville, SC

Eliminate Unwanted Growth

When you leave a tree stump in your yard, you could be setting yourself up for unwanted tree growth. This kind of new growth often results in clusters of small trees popping up around the base of the stump. This problem isn't just unsightly; it can be harmful to any plants near the stump because the new trees will suck up all the water and nutrients out of your soil.

 Local Tree Service Summerville, SC

Pest Prevention

Tree stumps are notorious for harboring all sorts of pests that can damage your hard and cause expensive problems in your home. We're talking wood borers, ants, termites, and beetles. If you want to do away with these pests and protect your home, the best course of action is to contact Planet Green Tree Service for a quote on our professional tree removal services.

 Tree Service Summerville, SC

Reduce Headaches

Sure, you could take the time to do your research on how to remove a stump. You could go to Home Depot, rent a high-powered stump grinder, and risk your health trying to operate it without training. You could spend every winking moment of your free time trying to grind the stump down so you can remove it from your yard. But why go through all that trouble when a trustworthy, experienced stump removal company like Planet Green Tree Service is only a phone call away?

Our team of stump removal professionals uses state-of-the-art tools designed to keep your property damage-free during the removal process. We will turn your yard into a beautiful blank slate, so you can focus on enjoying your stump-free while we haul away all the debris.

What Our Clients Say!

 Tree Removal Summerville, SC

Your Premier Tree Service Company in South Carolina

With 33 years of experience, it's no wonder why so many South Carolina locals choose Planet Green Tree Service for tree trimming and stump removal in their city. Clients love us because we believe in exceeding your expectations, no matter how large or small a job is.

  • Conduct themselves in a professional manner
  • Provide you with exemplary tree care services
  • Arrive at your home or business on time and ready to work
  • Provide you with affordable service rates

Contact our office to learn more about our tree services in South Carolina or to schedule your free quote today!

Latest News in Summerville, SC

Charleston restaurateur to open wedding venue with on-site café in Summerville

SUMMERVILLE — Summerville reminds Nico Romo of what Charleston used to look and feel like 15 years ago.The city of more than 50,000 is growing, ...

SUMMERVILLE — Summerville reminds Nico Romo of what Charleston used to look and feel like 15 years ago.

The city of more than 50,000 is growing, with another 47,000 residents expected to move to the area by 2030. But its leaders are approaching those changes thoughtfully, Romo said.

“They want to continue developing the area without destroying it,” he said.

Part of that work includes restoring historic buildings like the one at 117 W. Luke Ave., home to Romo’s new wedding venue and café.

Food

The Kersey House will open in January with a daytime menu of French-inspired cuisine. Romo, owner of popular local restaurants NICO Oysters + Seafood, Bistronomy and Laura, hopes to host his first private event at the 300-plus-person capacity venue shortly after.

Renovations of the 112-year-old property were led by Christopher Karpus of Karpus Design, who worked to maintain and accentuate the structure’s historical features.

“You want to really show as much respect as you can for what has been,” Karpus said. “That’s why you invest in a property like this.”

Romo hopes to capitalize on the flourishing wedding industry in the Charleston area, the second-most-popular destination to get hitched in the U.S. The two-story Kersey House features a ballroom, bar and brand new kitchen on the first floor, where Romo’s team will prepare food for weddings and other private events.

Guests are greeted by two large verandas and a tribute to his wife's side of the family, the Kerseys. The venue's four grand parlor rooms feature original heart pine floors, fireplaces and other special design details.

The second story, framed by a wraparound porch, is home to bridal suites, where members of the wedding party can change and freshen up. The inside of the home can hold about 100 guests. Outside, a covered area with azaleas, hydrangeas and its own bar expands Kersey House’s capacity to nearly 400, Romo said.

Important to the chef was maintaining the character of the building, whose renovated rooms are named after members of the Kersey family. Karpus helped him achieve those goals while bringing the property up to present day building codes.

“The challenge (was) connecting all of that together while maximizing the use of the property,” Karpus said. “It was kind of a puzzle really.”

The café side of the business, which will open 11 a.m.-8 p.m., brings a new lunch and dinner option to Summerville. Its opening menu will feature French onion soup, a pickled shrimp salad, baked escargot with brioche, a croque monsieur and a signature burger with white cheddar. Larger plates include steak frites, mussels, duck confit and risotto with bay scallops.

The opening of Kersey House marks a return to the event space for Romo, who worked for Patrick Properties Hospitality Group for more than a decade. During that time, he launched the kitchen and culinary programs at Lowndes Grove, the group’s Wagener Terrace wedding venue. He also helped curate philanthropic events, which he intends to make part of the programming at the Kersey House.

Nico Romo Hospitality Group isn’t the only Charleston-based, restaurant-focused hospitality company to recently step into the wedding space. The forthcoming wedding venue at 94 Stuart St. in Charleston is a new concept from the minds behind Bodega, Uptown Social, Share House and the upcoming neighborhood tavern By The Way.

Dutch Fork beats Summerville for 9th state title in last 12 years

ORANGEBURG – Summerville quarterback Jaden Cummings sat on the Green Wave bench, crutches by his side, looking up at the scoreboard and wishing for a different result.As the final seconds ticked off the clock at Willie Jeffries Field and the Dutch Fork players stormed the field, Cummings could only shake his head and wonder what might have been if he’d been able to play the entire game.Cumming, who was knocked out of the game with a knee injury in the first half, did all he could to will the Green Wave to a victory....

ORANGEBURG – Summerville quarterback Jaden Cummings sat on the Green Wave bench, crutches by his side, looking up at the scoreboard and wishing for a different result.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock at Willie Jeffries Field and the Dutch Fork players stormed the field, Cummings could only shake his head and wonder what might have been if he’d been able to play the entire game.

Cumming, who was knocked out of the game with a knee injury in the first half, did all he could to will the Green Wave to a victory.

It just wasn’t meant to be.

Sports

Maurice Anderson rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns and Ethan Offing added 252 passing yards and two more scores to lead Dutch Fork past Summerville, 35-21, in the Class AAAAA Division I championship game at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium on Dec. 13.

It was the ninth state championship in the past 12 years for the Silver Foxes (12-0) and the third straight title.

The Green Wave (12-1) were playing in their first state title game since 2007 and the first one since legendary coach John McKissick – the nation’s all-time winningest high school football coach – retired.

“You train your whole life to get to this point in your life,” said Cummings, who threw for 2,300 yards during the season and signed to play football at Dartmouth next fall. “I’m so proud of my team and the way they stepped up. You feel helpless on the sidelines, but I was doing everything I could to help everyone out and keep their spirits up.

Prep Sports

“Super proud of the whole team, the coaches, everyone. We had a great season. We battled every game, and we overcame so much adversity this year.”

The Silver Foxes rolled through their regular season schedule – the closest game was a 24-14 win over Irmo – and had faced little resistance in the playoffs outscoring its three opponents, 118-28.

The Green Wave gave the defending champs all they could handle.

“We had some opportunities that we let squander away,” said Summerville coach Ian Rafferty. “We forced a turnover that we didn’t capitalize on and then we let them off the hook when we had them at the 10-yard line late in the first half. We had our chances. That’s a resilient group of teenagers over there.

“They could have easily laid down and they didn’t. We don’t make any excuses around here. We fight and we fought them until the end and make it a four quarter game.”

When Cummings went down midway through the second quarter, back-up Cooper Kafina entered the game and finished with 173 passing yards and one TD.

“Obviously losing your senior quarterback is going to make it difficult,” Rafferty said. “I thought Cooper came in, made some nice throws and gave us a chance to get back into the game.”

It took the Silver Foxes all of four plays and 72 seconds to get on the scoreboard.

Dutch Fork took the opening kickoff and marched 76 yards for the TD with Anderson scoring from eight yards out with 10:48 to play in the first quarter.

The Silver Foxes’ TD was set up by Offing’s 63-yard strike to KJ Smith that put the ball at the Green Wave’s 10-yard line.

Summerville answered on the ensuing possession as Cummings found sophomore Jaiden Kelly-Murray for an 18-yard TD on a fourth-and-14 play to give the Green Wave a 7-6 advantage with 5:36 to play in the first quarter. Kelly-Murray finished with 152 receiving yards and two TDs.

Summerville extended its advantage to 14-6 on Jayvyn Williams’ 43-yard TD run on the second play of the second quarter.

Williams, who had 133 rushing yards, found a crease on the right side of the formation, eluded a Silver Foxes’ defender, and then raced untouched into the end zone.

Offing’s 19-yard TD pass to Boykin Bickley and the two-point conversion tied the game at 14 with eight minutes left before halftime.

The Silver Foxes regained the lead on Williams’ second TD run of the first half – this one a bruising 8-yard romp – to put Dutch Fork ahead 21-14 with under two minutes to play before intermission.

The Silver Foxes pushed their advantage to 28-14 on Offing’s 20-yard TD pass to Bickley with 7:34 left in the third quarter.

Down two touchdowns, the Green Wave kept battling.

Summerville back-up QB Cooper Kafina, who replaced starter Jaden Cummings in the second quarter, found a wide open Kelly-Murray behind the Sliver Foxes defense for a 77-yard bomb that cut the lead to 28-21 with 6:28 to play in the third quarter.

Anderson scored his third TD on a 38-yard run with 1:14 to play.

Dutch Fork downs Summerville to complete three-peat: Live updates recap

Maurice Anderson runs for 146 yards and three touchdowns as Dutch Fork defeats Summerville, 35-21, in South Carolina Class 5A Division I state championshipThe South Carolina Class 5A Division I state championship will be a battle of the unbeatens between Dutch Fork (12-0) and ...

Maurice Anderson runs for 146 yards and three touchdowns as Dutch Fork defeats Summerville, 35-21, in South Carolina Class 5A Division I state championship

The South Carolina Class 5A Division I state championship will be a battle of the unbeatens between Dutch Fork (12-0) and Summerville (13-0).

Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Eastern time Friday at South Carolina State University’s Oliver Dawson Stadium.

Dutch Fork has won eight state championships under head coach Tom Knotts, including back-to-back 5A titles in 2022-23. The Silver Foxes will be making their 12th state finals appearance in program history.

Dutch Fork blanked Spartanburg 24-0 last week to claim the Upper State Championship.

Summerville dominated Sumter, 35-6, to capture the Lower State Championship. The Green Wave is in the state finals for the first time since 2007.

Dutch Fork vs. Summerville Recap

Underway: Dutch Fork will begin the game at its own 24.

Big Play Silver Foxes: K.J. Smith gets behind the defense and takes it all the way to the Summerville 9 for a 63-yard gain.

Touchdown Dutch Fork: Maurice Anderson runs it in from eight yards out to put the Silver Foxes up 6-0 early.

Big play Green Wave: Jayven Williams rips off a huge run around the left side to set Summerville up with a first-and-10 at the Dutch Fork 31.

Timeout Summerville: Green Wave is facing a fourth-and-nine from the 13.

Touchdown Green Wave: Summerville had a delay of game penalty coming out of the timeout, but Jaiden Kelly-Murray catches an 18-yard touchdown pass from Jaden Cummings in the right corner of the end zone. Really good throw and catch. Summerville 7, Dutch Fork 6, 5:32 remaining in the opening quarter.

Dutch Fork punt: The Silver Foxes are forced to punt for just the 17th time this season. Summerville takes over at its own 6.

Summerville three-and-out: Backed up, the Green Wave can’t get a first down. Dutch Fork will have it at the Summerville 39 late in the first quarter.

Timeout Summerville: Green Wave takes its final timeout of the half on defense. Dutch Fork will be facing a fourth-and-seven from the 36 when play resumes.

Turnover on downs: Dutch Fork tries a bubble screen to K.J. Smith, and the talented receiver is dropped one yard short of the line to gain. Another big stop for the Summerville defense. Green Wave takes over at the 30.

Jaden Cummings hurt: Summerville quarterback Jaden Cummings takes a big hit and has to come out of the game. Hopefully Cummings can return, but he immediately grabbed his knee after the big hit and stayed down for a while.

Summerville update: Jaiden Kelly-Murray is now playing quarterback for the Green Wave. He has one receiving touchdown today.

Physical game: Both teams are HITTING today.

Another QB update: Summerville is alternating between Jaiden Kelly-Murray and junior Cooper Kafina, the listed backup quarterback.

End of quarter: Summerville 7, Dutch Fork 6.

Touchdown Green Wave: Jayven Williams explodes for a 43-yard touchdown run. Underdog Summerville is rolling right now, up 14-6 early in the second quarter.

Touchdown Silver Foxes: Dutch Fork answers with a 19-yard touchdown connect between quarterback Ethan Offing and Boykin Bickley. Two-point conversion pass is good. Summerville 14, Dutch Fork 14, 8:00 left in the half.

Green Wave punt: Summerville goes three-and-out on its next possession. Dutch Fork will have it at its own 48 when play resumes.

Dutch Fork fumble: Eli Pressley recovers a fumble at the Dutch Fork 39, securing great field position for Summerville.

Interception: One play after getting called for pass interference, Georgia Tech signee Elgin Sessions picks off a pass for Dutch Fork. Silver Foxes will have it at their own 7 with 3:33 to go in the half.

Big play Dutch Fork: Boykin Bickley hauls in a 51-yard pass to jumpstart the Dutch Fork offense.

Touchdown Silver Foxes: Maurice Anderson rolls into the end zone from eight yards out to give Dutch Fork a 21-14 lead with 1:53 remaining in the half.

Halftime: Dutch Fork 21, Summerville 14.

Underway: A terrible start for Summerville, which fails to corral the opening kickoff. Dutch Fork Ball at the Green Wave 13.

Fourth down stop: Tyree Patton stuffs Ethan Offing on a fourth-and-short. Summerville takes over at its own 6, trailing 21-14.

Summerville punt: Dutch Fork forces a three-and-out and will again have great field position at its own 43.

Dutch Fork on the move: Summerville takes a timeout on defense with Dutch Fork driving. Silver Foxes have a first-and-10 at the 20.

Touchdown Silver Foxes: Boykin Bickley catches a 20-yard touchdown pass from Ethan Offing. Dutch Fork 28, Summerville 14, 7:34 to go in the third quarter.

Touchdown Green Wave: Jaiden Kelly-Murray gets behind the defense and backup quarterback Cooper Kafina finds him for a 77-yard touchdown. Dutch Fork 28, Summerville 21. Jaden Cummings is on crutches on the sideline, so this game will be Kafina's to win.

Summerville defense: Green Wave senior CB Jacquez Walker is having one heck of a game. College coaches need to take a look at him. With a big pass breakup from Walker, Summerville forces a punt and will take over at its own 15.

Green Wave timeout: Summerville takes its second timeout of the half ahead of a third-and-nine. Green Wave will have just one timeout the rest of the way.

Timeout pays off: The timeout was worth it as Jaiden Kelly-Murray hauls in a 28-yard pass to move the chains.

End of quarter: Dutch Fork 28, Summerville 21. Green Wave has the ball at the Dutch Fork 35.

Dutch Fork ball: Following a Summerville punt and some extracurriculars, Dutch Fork — clinging to a 28-21 lead — takes over it at its own 44 with 9:28 remaining.

Missed field goal: Dutch Fork misses a 39-yard field goal. Summerville takes over at its own 20 with 7:07 to go.

Summerville punt: Julian Walker comes through with two big sacks to end the Summerville drive. With 3:21 remaining, Dutch Fork has the ball at its own 36.

Fortunate Dutch Fork: Maurice Anderson puts it on the turf, but Dutch Fork is able to recover the fumble at the bottom of the pile.

Touchdown Silver Foxes: Maurice Anderson puts this one away with a 38-yard touchdown run up the left side. Dutch Fork 35, Summerville 21, 2:07 remaining. Anderson is up to 146 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Turnover on downs: Summerville drives it to the Dutch Fork 16, but Tyler Brown seals it with a goal-line interception.

Final score: Dutch Fork 35, Summerville 21. Silver Foxes capture their third straight state title and eighth in nine years.

Kickoff coming: Dutch Fork and Summerville have 20 combined state championships. This should be a good one.

Weather: It’s a balmy, cloudy day in Orangeburg. Temperature should be around 60 degrees at kickoff for this matinee.

Dutch Fork offensive leaders: Junior quarterback Ethan Offing (182 of 268 passing, 2,722 yards, 22 touchdowns, four interceptions, 429 yards rushing, eight rushing touchdowns); Senior running back Maurice Anderson (143 carries, 1,032 yards, 22 total touchdowns); Senior wide receiver Boykin Bickley (53 catches, 1,011 yards, seven touchdowns); wide receiver K.J. Smith (48 catches, 615 yards, 11 total touchdowns)

Summerville offensive leaders: Senior quarterback Jaden Cummings (165 of 254 passing, 2,329 yards, 30 touchdowns, one interception, 536 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, Dartmouth commit); Sophomore running back Jayven Williams (224 carries, 1,877 yards, 25 total touchdowns); Sophomore wide receiver Jaiden Kelly-Murray (75 catches, 1,050 yards, 15 total touchdowns); Senior tight end Keshon Washington (32 catches, 588 yards, eight touchdowns)

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Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports

Published Dec 13, 2024|Modified Dec 13, 2024

On Cloud 9: Dutch Fork defeats Summerville to win latest football state championship

ORANGEBURG, S.C.The Dutch Fork football dynasty rolls on.The Silver Foxes captured their third straight championship and ninth overall with a 35-21 victory on Friday over Summerville in the Class 5A Division I title game at S.C. State’s Oliver Dawson Stadium.All nine of Dutch Fork’s championships have come since 2013. The title is head coach Tom Knotts’ 16th of his career. He won seven championships in North Carolina before taking over the Dutch Fork program in 2011.Dutch Fork’s nine state ...

ORANGEBURG, S.C.

The Dutch Fork football dynasty rolls on.

The Silver Foxes captured their third straight championship and ninth overall with a 35-21 victory on Friday over Summerville in the Class 5A Division I title game at S.C. State’s Oliver Dawson Stadium.

All nine of Dutch Fork’s championships have come since 2013. The title is head coach Tom Knotts’ 16th of his career. He won seven championships in North Carolina before taking over the Dutch Fork program in 2011.

Dutch Fork’s nine state championship tie them for sixth all-time in state history with Clinton, which won the 2A championship on Thursday. Knotts’ nine state championships in S.C. are one behind former Summerville’s John McKissick and Willie Varner’s 10 titles.

“There was a good foundation when I got here. We just needed to take it over the top, and I think we have done that,” Knotts said. “The climb to the top of the mountain is much easier than staying on the top. We got to find ways to innovate and keep them motivated.”

Knotts will find ways from Friday’s game to keep the team motivated. He admitted he wasn’t pleased with how his team played near the end of the game with several penalties but said “They will be addressed.”

Dutch Fork battled through all kinds of challenges last season in wining the title, but this year’s championship largely happened more in dominant fashion. The Silver Foxes wrapped their fifth perfect season and used a record-setting defense to do it.

“All summer we’ve been putting in that work to not go 0-3 again, not go 10-5,” Dutch Fork running back Maurice Anderson said. “We wanted to do the season undefeated and finish. It feels great.”

Dutch Fork recorded a school-record six shutouts and had given up just 73 points coming into the championship game. The 94 points given up this season ties the school record mark set in 2020, which was done in just 10 games.

Quarterback Ethan Offing threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns on Friday. The junior Clemson baseball commit missed last year’s title game with an injury but shined in moments against the Green Wave.

Anderson rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns. It was Anderson’s fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season.

Summerville, which was making its first title appearance since 2007, tested the vaunted Silver Foxes in every way. Dutch Fork trailed 14-6 in the second quarter after Jayven Williams’ 43-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter.

But Dutch Fork answered when Offing hit Boykin Bickley on a 19-yard TD pass. Bickley finished with seven catches for 149 yards.

“We have good chemistry together, and it paid off,” Offing said of Bickley. “He’s a great player. College coaches pick him up. He is dynamic.”

The Silver Foxes took a 21-14 lead on Anderson’s 8-yard run with 1:53 left in the second quarter.

Summerville played much of the game without starting quarterback Jaden Cummings, who left the game with an apparent knee injury near the end of the first quarter. The Dartmouth signee and North-South all-star selection came into the game with 2,329 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Cummings had an 18-yard pass to Jaiden Kelly-Murray to put Summerville up 7-6 in the first quarter.

Cummings was replaced by junior Cooper Kafina, who played well in the senior’s absence. Kafina hit a wide open Kelly-Murray on a 77-yard touchdown pass to cut Dutch Fork’s lead to 28-21 with 6:28 left in the third.

Summerville got the ball back on its own 20 with 7:07 left and a chance to go down and tie the game. But Dutch Fork’s Julian Walker had pair of sacks and forced a Green Wave punt.

“We needed to make a play to end that game the way it did,” Walker said. “They were driving down the field on us with big plays, so we were like go make the stop and that is what we did.”

The Silver Foxes sealed it on the next drive as Anderson scored on a 38-yard touchdown run with 2:07 left.

“We knew we were a great team, so we needed to keep fighting and keep playing hard. That’s what we did,” Offing said.

First Quarter

DF —Anderson 8 run (kick failed), 10:48

S — Kelly Murray 18 pass from Cummings (Kelley kick), 5:32

Second Quarter

S — Williams 43 run (Kelley kick), 11:31

DF — Bickley 19 pass from Offing (Westbrook pass from Offing), 8:00

DF — Anderson 8 run (Welch kick), 1:53

Third Quarter

DF — Bickley 20 pass from Offing (Welch kick), 7:34

S — Kelly-Murray 77 pass from Kafina (Kelley kick), 6:28

Fourth Quarter

DF — Anderson 38 run (Welch kick), 2:07

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — DF: Anderson 16-146; Offing 11-22; Johnson 2-11; Smith 1-7. S: Williams 22-133; Kelly-Murray 3-12.

PASSING — DF: Offing 12-23-0 252; Smith 0-1-0. S: Kafina 13-27-2 173; Cummings 2-4-0 33.

RECEIVING — DF: Bickley 7-149; Smith 3-72; Anderson 2-31. S: Kelley-Murray 7-152; Deweese 3-29; Guinn 2-18; Williams 2-2.

This story was originally published December 13, 2024, 5:43 PM.

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