Herald editorial: It’s a big day in the world of football

For some time now, South Carolina has seemed to be the center of the football universe. That certainly is the case today.

At 4:30 p.m., players from Rock Hill’s two state championship teams – Northwestern and South Pointe – and the youth Gray-Y All-Stars, also state champs, will walk from the intersection of Main Street and Dave Lyle Boulevard to the downtown Fountain Park. There, they will be honored by the Rock Hill City Council and Rock Hill school board.

The parade also will feature the schools’ cheerleaders and marching bands. Fans are urged to wear their school colors as they cheer the marchers along the route.

South Pointe won its state title with a 35-0 shutout of Midland Valey on Dec. 12. It was the first shutout in the 3A championship game since 1996 when Berkeley blanked Darlington 21-0.

Northwestern won the state trophy the same day with a 63-13 victory over Lexington, the school’s third title since 2010.

The Gray-Y All-Stars beat Florence 20-0 in another shutout to win their youth football championship.

Of course, it’s not just about high school football today. There’s another game that will be played at 8:30 p.m. in Phoenix.

Viewers can catch the national college football championship game between Clemson and Alabama on ESPN.

We would not presume to say that all fans in the state will be cheering for the Tigers. There are a number of Alabama followers in the Palmetto State and, of course, there are other South Carolina college teams with legions of loyal fans as well who perhaps can’t bring themselves to cheer for Clemson.

But state pride is likely to prompt many to back the team wearing orange vs. the one in crimson. Whatever the outcome, tonight’s national showdown offers the potential for some exciting football.

If all these events don’t get your gridiron juices running, you need to try another pastime.

Oh, and by the way, we have a Carolina team with the best record in the NFL this year headed to the playoffs. Go Panthers!

This story was originally published January 10, 2016 at 7:19 PM with the headline "Herald editorial: It’s a big day in the world of football."