Blue Eagles embrace rivalry showdown

Members of the Clover High School football team, who have lost to rival York the past two years, hope the third time is a charm.

The Blue Eagles York Friday night in 8,000-seat Memorial Stadium. The 103rd renewal of one of the oldest high school football rivalries in the country begins at 7:30 p.m.

With the Cougars coming off a bye week, the Blue Eagles fell to Nation Ford 56-20 last week

“Our kids played very hard,” head coach Chad Smith said of about Nation Ford game. “They’re definitely still a work in progress. We gave up too many big plays, too many yards, but we kept trucking along offensively.”

Cody Payne rushed for 192 yards and two touchdowns on runs of 1 and 53 yards. His average yard per carry was 9.14.

Willy Clark gained 60 yards on 12 carries, including a 2-yard touchdown run. Tenchi Her had 46 yards on nine carries.

“We rushed for almost 400 yards,” said Smith. “But we’ve got to stop some people. Hopefully, we’ll come out against York very focused and we’ll see what happens.”

If there are those who believe York has regressed somewhat this season, Smith doesn’t want to hear it.

“I still think they’re one of the best teams in the state,” he said. “They might not be quite as athletic as they have been the last couple years. They’re very aggressive.”

Added Smith: “York plays a very hard-nosed brand of football and they are very well coached. Hopefully, we’ll present some problems for them. It’s gonna be a big time challenge for us. There’s no doubt about that,”

Smith lauded the Blue Eagle players for laying it on the line against the Cougars the past two years, especially two years ago, when Clover had a fourth-quarter lead with the ball at York’s 15, where an untimely penalty halted the scoring threat.

“Our kids get up for this game,” he said. “I don’t think they back down from anybody. So far, we’ve played York very well. I expect them to do that Friday night. Hopefully, we’ll be able to move the ball like we did the last two years and we can get a couple more stops.”

Offensive lineman Gavin Jenkins said having York as a rival means a lot to the senior players.

“It’s nice to have a rivalry game to end the season,” he said. “We’ve given them all we’ve got the last two years. We’ve always cut it close. Hopefully, we can pull it out this year. I think this town would go crazy if we win Friday night.”

Payne, a main cog in the double-wing scheme, agreed.

“We’re excited about playing York our last game,” said Payne. “Our offensive line play is a key. They’re opening things up for the running backs. We’ve played York tough the last two years and feel confident about Friday’s game.”

Quarterback Noah Lindsay’s career is winding down.

“I’ve been quarterbacking the Blue Eagles for three years,” he said. “It seems like it’s gone by too fast. We’re ready to play York Friday night. It’s really special for the seniors.”

The CHS cheerleaders also embrace rivalry week.

Senior cheerleaders Kaitlyn Sain and Emma Transou said hosting York to end the season is special.

“It’s a big game, especially for the seniors,” said Sain. “It’s our last football game.”

Sain noted that Spirit Week is being observed this week at Clover High School. “We will have a bonfire Thursday night, where we will burn the Cougar,” she said. “We will have a pep rally Friday. The Clover-York game means so much to the cheerleaders, football team, band, students and fans.”

Transou shares Sain’s excitement.

“It would be awesome to go out with a win,” she said. “The players deserve it.”

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 11:15 AM with the headline "Blue Eagles embrace rivalry showdown."