Published: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009 / Updated: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009 07:59 AM

Indians honored for breakthrough campaign

It has been quite a season for the varsity football team at Westminster Catawba.

Last Friday, the Indians faced unbeaten First Assembly of Concord, N.C., coached by former Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter, for the Metrolina Athletic Conference championship.

The Indians gave all they had, but came up short in a 14-3 loss. It was respectable because the Eagles were averaging 36 points a game.

Westminster Catawba, 6-3 overall, finished second in the conference and will be assured of a first-round home playoff game on Nov. 6.

The progress coach Ben McGarity has made in just two seasons has been noticed by the other coaches in the conference. He took a team that went 2-9 last year and turned it into a winner.

And for McGarity and his team's efforts, the MAC honored the Indians on its all-conference team.

McGarity was named the MAC coach of the year. Six of his players made the all-conference team.

“I'm tickled to death for our players,” McGarity said. “I'm proud because their hard work paid off. The top votegetters at each position get an automatic nomination for the all-state team. Four of ours were tops in the votes.

“I'm honored to get coach of the year. This is not about me. It's about my players and coaches. My kids play hard and my staff works their butts off.”

Indians players named to the team are Brodrique Moore (RB), Andrew Duvall (OL), Wil Pickel (K), Ian Brandt (DL), Dan Casey (DB) and Peyton Hinson (LB).

BIG TURNAROUND — The Lewisville Lions secured fourth place in Region 3-A last Friday with their 15-14 win over rival Great Falls, which is just fine with coach Marvin Burke and his team.

By finishing fourth, Lewisville earned a spot in the playoffs, which start Nov. 6. Lewisville's spot is solid. The other three qualifiers in order are Chesterfield, Buford and McBee.

McBee and Buford could swap seeds if McBee pulls a huge upset and beats Chesterfield, the two-time defending state champion, on Friday.

The Lions started 0-5 but have won three of their last four games and are 2-3 in the region. They added an assistant coach after the fifth loss, former Rock Hill Bearcats defensive coordinator Jim Barnes. He is coaching the Lions secondary.

The winner of Friday night's Great Falls-Indian Land game will have the same region record as Lewisville. But neither can get the fourth spot because Lewisville beat both head-to-head.

CYCLONES — Like in Classes A and AA, the teams in Class AAA end the regular season on Friday, and many eyes will be on the Fairfield Central-Chapin game.

Chester is tied for the top spot with Fairfield Central at 3-1. But it might be hard for the Cyclones to concentrate on their home game Friday against Lower Richland.

If Chapin wins, Chester repeats as Region 4-AAA champion. If Fairfield Central and Chester both win, they will tie for first place at 4-1 but the title would go to Fairfield Central, which beat Chester head-to-head.

“The only good thing about finishing second is we'll have at least two home playoff games if we win our first one,” Chester coach Maurice Flowers said.

TRI-COUNTY — The Founders Federal Tri-County Football Coaches Association met for the ninth time this season on Tuesday in Richburg and selected its players of the week in its two divisions.

The following is the list of the winners and the honorable mentions.

DIVISION I

OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Quinten Darby (South Pointe) nine carries, 202 yards rushing, three TDs, longest 74 yards. Honorable mentions: Aaron Miller (Clover), Timar Campbell (Lancaster), Sanbobis McCleod (Northwestern), Randall Dixon (Rock Hill), Michael Dover (York).

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: Armani Delaney (RH) graded 91percent. Honorable mentions: Caleb Long (CL), Josh Yannotti (N), Clay Ridge (SP), Cory Troutman (Y.)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Mike McClure (RH) 16 tackles. Honorable mentions: Tra Latta (CL), Keon Stowers (N), Darnelle Colvin (SP), Corey Dover (Y).

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Deleon Boulware (RH) 22 tackles, two TFL. Honorable mentions: Jerry Sanders (CL), Breshawn Reed (LN), Gerald Dixon (N), Gerald Dixon (SP), Michael Dills (Y)

SPECIAL TEAMS: Landon Ard (SP) 5-for-5 on extra points, five punts for a 46-yard average (longest 65 yards), five touchbacks kicking off. Honorable mentions: Malcolm Grant (CL), Ryan Foster (N), Jajuan Crockett (RH), Kent Thompson (Y)

DIVISION II

OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Tevin Worthy (Chester) 9-for-17 passing, 127 yards, TD, 65 yards rushing, three TDs. Honorable mentions: Asa Kryst (Fort Mill), Ted Boston (Indian Land), Timmy McCullough (Lewisville), Thomas Condron (Nation Ford).

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: Matt Small (LW) graded 90 percent, two knockdowns. Honorable mention: Quintin Griffin (CH),

DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Will Cox (LW) 17 tackles, TFL, caused fumble. Honorable mentions: Chester: Ariane McCree (CH), Max Simmons (FM), Tyler Watkins (IL), Jordan Callahan (NF), Dan Casey (Westminster Catawba).

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Ken Green (LW) 11 tackles, TFL, QB hurry. Honorable mentions: Tyrique Dixon (CH), Jonathan Sturgill (IL), Logan Daughtry (NF), Ian Brandt (WC).

SPECIAL TEAMS: Bradley Walker (IL) perfect on long snaps all season and two tackles on punt team against Buford.

Friday's games

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

Northwestern at Fort Mill, 7:30 p.m

South Pointe at Spring Valley, 7:30 p.m

Gaffney at Clover, 7:30 p.m

Nation Ford at York, 7:30 p.m.

Lancaster at Ridge View, 7:30 p.m

Lower Richland at Chester, 8 p.m.

Indian Land at Great Falls, 7:30 p.m.

North Central at Lewisville, 7:30 p.m.

St. Joseph Catholic at Westminster Catawba, 7:30 p.m.