Roofing Contractor in Summerville, SC

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.

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.

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)

Download the SBLive App

To get live updates on your phone — as well as follow your favorite teams and top games — you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App | Download Android App

--

Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports

Published Dec 13, 2024|Modified Dec 13, 2024

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.