Fort Mill, Nation Ford piecing together next season’s teams

Spring football is wrapping up at Fort Mill and Nation Ford high schools but questions remain for next season.

Coming off its best season in more than 15 years, Fort Mill looks to keep that momentum into next season. The Jackets had almost 125 players come out for practice this spring among the freshman, JV and varsity teams.

“These guys have done a great job,” said Fort Mill head coach Ed Susi. “These guys are stepping into spots we are missing.”

Fort Mill went 9-3 last season and made it to the first round of the playoffs. Coaches hope to return to the postseason next season year under the leadership of rising senior Rogan Wells.

Backfield players Malik Long and Chandler Kryst, are graduating.

Questions about who will step up for the Jackets will be answered during summer practice in August.

At Nation Ford, there are questions as well. Coming off a 2-9 season, the Falcons want to get not just to the playoffs, but on the winning side of .500.

“We got a ways to go,” said Falcons’ head coach Michael Allen.

“Offensively, we pretty much got them all back. They look really sharp. I feel like they got a chip on their shoulder because they know what 2-9 is. The leadership has been great for the (rising) senior class. Their attitude and commitment shows.”

Nation Ford also had 125 players at spring practice among the four grades.

Quarterback Cole Martin and his two main targets – Hank Tuipulotu and Jordan Helms – come back next year. All three will be seniors and all three are drawing a lot of interest from colleges.

Questions for Nation Ford come on the defensive side of the ball, but Allen said he feels like they will have things figured out when the season kicks off at the end of summer.

This story was originally published May 27, 2015 at 11:15 AM with the headline "Fort Mill, Nation Ford piecing together next season’s teams."