Learn a little more about this week's football opponents

By Barry Byers - bbyers@heraldonline.com

Nearly every football fan in these parts has heard of Hartsville.

But for those of you who don't know anything about the Red Foxes' football teams, Hartville is where former Lancaster coach Johnny Roscoe was before becoming the Bruins' coach. It's also the home of Washington Redskins defensive tackle AlbertHaynesworth.

Hartsville's coach is Jeff Calabrese. The Red Foxes are 10-2 after holding off T.L. Hanna last Friday in the first round of the Class AAAA Division II playoffs. Friday they are coming to town and will play the 7-5 Northwestern Trojans, a 53-0 first-round winner over South Florence.

Northwestern and Hartsville played four straight years from 1996-1999. The Trojans are 4-0 in the series and outscored the Foxes 105-7.

A little south of town, the 9-3 South Pointe Stallions have a second-round home game against the James Island Trojans, who are 4-8. The name is familiar to anyone who reads scores each week, and surely all of you saw that the Trojans went on the road and beat favored Wren 56-55 in overtime last week.

But what else do you know?

James Island is a charter school, but only has become one recently. The school is governed by a board of directors.

Two James Island players were chosen to play in South Carolina's two postseason all-star games. Linebacker Chad Hamilton was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl. He was also named South Carolina's Class AAAA Lower State defensive player of the year.

Running back Martel Johnson was picked to play in the SCADA North-South All-Star Game.

If Northwestern and South Pointe win, they will meet Nov. 27 at District Three Stadium, with the winner earning a trip to the state championship game on Dec. 4 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.

They were in different sides of the bracket last year and played for the championship at Clemson. South Pointe won 35-14.

TICKETS — Northwestern is selling advance tickets to Friday night's football game today through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets are $6 each and can be purchased in the athletics office in A-115. The only game passes recognized are those issued by the South Carolina High School League.

For more information, call 803-981-1989.

VOLLEYBALL — Rock Hill players Christina Vereb and Karis Watson were named to the Class AAAA South Carolina Coaches for Women's Sports all-state team. Nation Ford's Sara Bebeau and Ally Lambert also were selected to the team.

Rock Hill's Cindy Elder was named coach of the North's Class AAAA/AAA team for this weekend's North-South All-Star Volleyball Matches at Lander in Greenwood.

Rock Hill's Morgan Brazzell was named to the team.

GIRLS HOOPS — The second annual Northwestern preseason girls basketball tournament is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at the Trojans gym.

Northwestern girls coach John Bramlett started the tournament last year to raise money to help fight poverty. Tickets are $6 daily or $10 for a tournament pass. More that $1,200 was raised last season.

This year's field includes Rock Hill, Andrew Jackson, Westminister Catawba and Northwestern. Rock Hill plays West-minster Catawba at 6 p.m. Monday, followed by Northwestern against Andrew Jackson at 7:30 p.m.

The schedule will be adjusted on Tuesday, with the consolation game at 4:30 p.m. and the championship at 6 p.m.

The times were moved up because at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Christian contemporary band 3 O'Clock People from Lake Wylie will be in concert in the school's F gym.