Tri-County coaches select players of the week

By Barry Byers - Barry Byers

RICHBURG -- The Founders Federal Tri-County Football Coaches Association had its first meeting of the season on Tuesday.

Four schools played last Friday and players of the week chosen by the coaches were: Clover's Richard Derderian (offensive lineman) and Josh Varielli (special teams); Nation Ford's Mario McIllwain (defensive player) and Steve Cox (defensive lineman); and Chester quarterback Tony McNeal (offensive player).

In past years, teams were grouped at Class AAAA and Class AAA/AA/A. Because Nation Ford and South Pointe opened since the association was formed four years ago, eight teams were in the Class AAAA Division last year and four in the other.

To level the playing field, it was approved to create Division I and II, with the six schools with the highest enrollments in Division I and the other six in Division II.

Division I: Rock Hill 2,121; Northwestern 1,845; Clover 1,735; Lancaster 1,718; South Pointe 1,700; Fort Mill 1,670

Division II: York 1,465; Nation Ford 1,364; Chester 966; Andrew Jackson; Indian Land 525; Lewisville 423

• GOOD NEWS: Nation Ford coach Rusty Jester got good news Monday afternoon. Senior quarterback Joey White does not have an ACL injury and is not lost for the season.

"Joey is out two to four weeks,'' Jester said. "He has a detached patella tendon. Same injury as last year. It's a growth issue. He grew eight inches in two years.''

White, a 6-5 second-year starter, left the game in the third quarter with an injury to his right knee. He had completed 10-of-16 passes for 180 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown pass to Dee Truesdale.

Mitchell Starnes and Tom Condron will share White's duties until his return, but neither has his arm strength.

• KICKED: Chester lost 14-12 to Wilson in last year's Class AAA state championship and there were two glaring differences.

The Cyclones, who didn't have a kicker attempt a PAT all season, missed 2-point conversions after each of their touchdowns.

First-year coach Maurice Flowers hoped the problem was resolved, saying during the preseason he had two kickers and both can "boom it.''

There were no booms in Chester's 33-32 loss to Union County last Friday. The Cyclones missed three kicks, missed a 2-point attempt and made a 2-point attempt. That's two points to show after five touchdowns.

"One kick was blocked. We just missed the other two,'' Flowers said. "We feel like it was a case of nerves. We'll still kick the football and we have faith in our kids. They'll get better and will start making the kicks.''

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We have some interesting features, including coaches interviews, game footage, weekly reports, the Prep Writer's Poll video and a new addition -- Friday Knight's Losers. We plan to add more in the coming weeks.