Published: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 / Updated: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 07:25 AM

Bearcats want good defense as playoffs get under way

There's a lot of talk going around that doesn't sit well with Rock Hill's football team, especially three of its top defensive players.

The Bearcats are 11-0 and ranked No. 2 in the statewide McClatchy Prep Writers poll and No. 21 nationally in the USA Today Super 25 poll.

But according to the talk by some fans in areas of the Upstate, the Bearcats are one-dimensional on offense, haven't played anybody and can't play defense.

One-dimensional on offense? Rock Hill has scored 444 points. Tailback Jamal Tyler has rushed for 1,920 yards and 20 touchdowns. Quarterback Randall Dixon has passed for 1,463 yards and 12 touchdowns. There's Jatavius Stewart, who is about as multidimensional as a player can get. He has run for 932 yards and 12 TDs and has caught 28 passes for 389 yards and six touchdowns.

Haven't played anybody? Beat Clover, Northwestern, South Pointe, and Blythewood when the Bengals were 8-2, and every other team that got in their way.

Can't play defense? The Bearcats have allowed 155 points, but a good many of those were scored after Rock Hill took big leads and pulled the starters in the second half. Joe Montgomery is one of those coaches who doesn't care about the final score unless his team loses.

But there is a small problem that Montgomery can't quite figure out. There are times when his defense goes into a small funk and loses its intensity.

“We play hard all the time, but there are times when we are ahead and get too comfortable,” said linebacker Michael McClure, the defensive captain and North-South All-Star Game pick. “As the captain, it falls on me to fix it. I tell the other players to look at the scoreboard and play like it's 0-0.

“Anything can happen in football, but if you look at things with a level mind after the other team scores, you can still keep it positive. Most of us have played together four years. We have good chemistry and we probably are the fastest defense in the state.”

The Bearcats will lean heavily on their defense when the playoffs begin Friday with a home game against Spartanburg. Rock Hill has enough offensive firepower to beat any team in the state and had four 100-plus-yard players against South Pointe. Tyler ran for 111, Stewart ran for 104 yards, Dixon passed for 112 yards and tight end Kirob Sims caught two passes for 108 yards.

Seniors McClure, Xavier McFadden and Deleon Boulware drive the defense.

Boulware has 155 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, nine hurries, five sacks, two blocked kicks and a fumble recovery. McClure has 135 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, three sacks, two caused fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a pass breakup. McFadden has 80 tackles, five pass breakups, two tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries, a caused fumble and an interception returned for a TD.

“We know we can get it done,” said McFadden, a defensive back. “We have good players; four picked for the two all-star games and we could have more if they could take more than two from a team for each game.

“We have a lot of experience. I really think we have the best secondary in the state. I have Jatavius, Tyrell Curry and Dre Williams, a freshman who has come on strong, back there with me. But all of that negative talk about us? I use it for motivation.”

McFadden has offers from Kentucky, Western Carolina, S.C. State and Newberry. He said South Carolina and Clemson have stayed in contact. McClure is being recruited by Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina and Newberry.

So with the offense always clicking, with Shrine Bowler Stewart and North-South game-bound Tyler, the defense will be asked to hold the other team down as the playoffs progress.

On that side, the Bearcats have a wealth of talent and speedy athletes. McFadden is going to the Shrine Bowl, McClure to the North-South game.

Boulware, who was moved from defensive end to linebacker, has been the biggest surprise. He has thrived in his new position and is a headhunter.

“The change has been good,” he said. “At linebacker, I can play in a standing position. That allows me to get a quicker jump to whoever is carrying the ball. And I also get to drop back into pass coverage, which I really like.

“Michael has helped me learn to play linebacker. Xavier encourages me. But there are other guys over there with us, and we all contribute. If I miss an assignment, I know there is somebody behind me to help. We have players who know how to make plays.”

NOTE: Advance tickets for Thursday night's Northwestern vs.South Florence game at District Three Stadium will be on sale in the Northwestern Athletic Office from 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. today and Thursday. Tickets are $6 each. The only passes accepted are those issued by yhe South Carolina High School League.

This week's playoff games

Thursday

South Florence at Northwestern, 7:30 p.m.

Spartanburg at Rock Hill, 7:30 p.m.

Richland Northeast at South Pointe, 7:30 p.m.

Clover at Dorman, 7:30 p.m.

Lancaster at Goose Creek, 7:30 p.m.

Chester at Daniel, 7:30 p.m.

Westminster Catawba at Harrell's Christian, 7:30 p.m.