Published: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009 / Updated: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009 11:36 AM

Trojans vs. Blue Eagles

I don’t know that in all my years covering high school football that if I’ve ever been this excited about a 6-1 team playing a 2-5 team.

Yes folks, it happens Friday night when the Clover Blue Eagles host the Northwestern Trojans at 7:30.

A 6-1 record at this point in the season is not unusual in Clover. Since the Blue Eagles moved up to Class AAAA, they have taken their place among the top teams at their level in the state.

They are ranked No. 5 this week. Lost only to 7-0 and No. 2 Rock Hill. Clover won the Region 3-AAAA title in first year playing with the “big dogs” and followed that up in 1997 by winning the Class AAAA Division II state championship.

A 2-5 record is nearly unbelievable at Northwestern. Trojans coach Jimmy Wallace came back to coaching after running Northwestern’s athletic department. He went 12-2 two years ago. Last year he was 13-2. Both losses were against south Pointe, the second coming in the Class AAAA Division II state championship.

But graduation happens and this is really the first time since Wallace came to Northwestern in 1987 that he has been able to immediately rebuild and compete at the team’s usual high level.

“I’m not worried about who we play,’’ he recently said. “I’m worried about our players. Worried that if we don’t start winning some games it’s going to be tough on them.’’

Clover has no such problem. The Blue Eagles seem able to send players out the door with their diplomas in the spring and find the right replacement before a new season starts in August.

So, you may be wondering, why all the excitement?

Clover is still Clover and Northwestern is still Northwestern despite the Trojans’ record. Clover’s been playing well every week. Northwestern started awful, but has been improving all season. So much that the winner of this game — I’m going to predict — will be the region champion and grab a No. 1 playoff seed.

Gaffney is still hanging around at 5-2 and all three open the season with region season with wins last week. Neither of the three have played the others. But I still believe Friday’s game is for all the marbles.

It will come down to several things.

Can Northwestern stop Clover’s four-headed offensive attack? The Blue Eagles run the double-wing triggered by quarterback Aaron Miller. The three back are fullback Tyron Douglas and wing backs Max Elliott and Derrick Carothers.

All four are game-breakers. Northwestern has a very good defensive front, but if they lose focus of which back has the ball and any of them break the line of scrimmage, it will be a foot race to the end zone.

Northwestern can score quickly too, but in a different way. The Trojans employ a passing attack, the “Air Raid’’ offense and all but shun the run.

Quarterback Justin Worley is 6-foot-5 and sees well downfield. He passed four 4 yards and five TDs last week in a win over Nation Ford. Wide receiver Robert Joseph has become his favorite target. Opponents know this but have been unable to stop him.

Clover is favored and should win. Don’t be surprised if Northwestern hangs close and moves into position to win it late in the fourth quarter.

Could be a scoring battle. Should be a good one.

NAME GAME: OK guys and gals. We have another name to clear up

It was reported that Lewisville used Hunter McAfee at quarterback against Chesterfield when it was actually Will Robbins and he took every snap.

Robbins is a recent addition and when he came aboard, McAfee was moved to another position and given a different number.

Lions coach Marvin Burke said Robbins got McAffee’s number and that it hasn’t been changed in the program. But now we know.

MCNEAL: Chester quarterback Tony McNeal tore an ACL in his left knee two weeks ago and is still planning to play this season instead of having surgery.

McNeal will be fitted with a brace and soon as the swelling is gone and will start doing exercises according to Cyclones athletics director Rick Campbell. McNeal, a junior, faces an uphill battle and it appears his first game back could be the first round of the playoffs.

AWARDS: The following is a list of this week’s winner of the Founders Federal Tri-County Football Coaches Association players of the week plaques:

DIVISION I

OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Justin Worley (Northwestern) 22-for-34, 413 yards, five TDs. Honorable mention: Max Elliott (Clover); Jatavius Stewart (Rock Hill); Corey Rawls (South Pointe); Matthew Haynie York)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: (Tie) Ruben Velasquez (RH) graded 88%; Clay Ridge (SP) graded 88%, knockdown. Honorable mention: Austin Cathey (CL); Northwestern: Josh Yannotti (N); Charley Lawson (Y)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER: William Killian (RH) 13 tackles, TFL. Honorable mention: Brandon Williams (N); Tra Latta (CL); Trey Mackey (SP); Corey Dover (Y)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Jadeveon Clowney (SP) 12 tackles, three TFL, two caused fumbles, pass deflection, blocked punt. Honorable mention: Aukeem Ruff (CL); Gerald Dixon (N); Thomas Perry (RH); Michael Dills (Y)

SPECIAL Teams: Ryan Foster (N) field goals of 32 & 37 yards, five PATs, three touchbacks. Honorable mention: Fernando Gonzalez (RH); Landon Ard (SP); Logan Bass (Y)

DIVISION II

OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Brodrique Moore (Westminster Catawba) 21 carries, 179 yards, four TDs. Honorable mention: Asa Kryst (Fort Mill); Josh Camerire (Indian Land);

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: T.J. Canty (Chester) graded 91%, five knockdowns. Honorable mention: Dakota Landrie (IL); Brandon Sturdivant (Nation Ford); Jacob Meyers (WC)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Ariane McCree (Chester) 12 tackles, TFL, sack, hurry. Honorable mention: Max Simons (FM); Indian Land: Trevor Jones (IL)); Peyton Hinson (WC)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Robert Mungo (IL) 12 tackles. Honorable mention: Ian Brandt (WC) SPECIAL Teams: Marshall Whitesides (CH) three PATs, game-wining field goal as time expired. Honorable mention: Wil Pickel (WC)