New QB, same mission: Northwestern opens football camp chasing repeat title
Northwestern High School football returned to the field Thursday with a familiar swagger — and a new face leading the huddle.
Junior quarterback Xavier Means is stepping into the spotlight this season at the Rock Hill powerhouse, replacing Finley Polk, who led the Trojans to a state title last fall and now plays at Gardner-Webb.
Head coach Page Wofford said Means brings a different style to the offense — and, so far, he’s impressed.
“We’ll have a different look to our offense with (Means) than we did with Finley,” Wofford said. “The goal is the same: Try to get the ball to the playmakers and score points. And he’s doing a good job of that during the summer and spring.”
After an undefeated run to the Class 5A Division II state title, Northwestern is chasing a first in school history: back-to-back state championships.
Loaded backfield, veteran offensive line
Means will have plenty of help, especially in the run game.
The Trojans bring back a deep running back room, headlined by junior Quay Mobley and senior Nigel Smith. Mobley, a shifty back, is expected to take a major leap after a strong offseason.
Seniors Antavious Ross and Evan Harrison add experience, while juniors Rory Reid and Zykel Reid — who are not related — each bring unique skill sets.
“(Mobley) switched his number to No. 22, like Emmitt Smith,” Wofford said. “He’s fast, he’s so strong. He’s very well-put-together, and he’s done a great job this summer of picking up and taking that mantle and being somebody who we can get the ball to.”
The Trojans return their entire offensive line and several key receivers, including Kameron Vance.
Vance, now a senior, has started in various roles for Northwestern since his sophomore year. The speedy wideout leads a particularly fast receiving corps, which also includes seniors Jonathan Spurgeon and Jalyn Barber-Moore.
“Our whole philosophy is that we’re going after the next one,” Wofford said. “We’re not trying to defend anything. We’re not sitting back and resting on our laurels — we’re attacking the next season. We’re still trying to get better.”
Defensive identity, culture buy-in
While the offense reloads, the defense returns key playmakers — most notably 6-foot-4, 200-pound senior Tamarion Watkins.
Watkins, the standout safety who committed to Texas A&M earlier this summer, anchors the Trojans’ defense.
But the heart of this team, Wofford says, goes beyond the highlight reels and stat sheets.
“It’s a special group,” Wofford said. “Year in and year out, I’m pleased and enamored of the buy-in culture we’ve created here. They’re buying into the culture. They’re buying into the program with the way we coach them, the way we practice, the way we work out. Our emphasis on academics and being a good person — everyone keeps getting better and better.”
Eyes on August
Northwestern’s season opener is Aug. 22 at Spartanburg. The Trojans will have scrimmages on Aug. 7, 11 and 15.
They know they’ll get everyone’s best shot this fall. And they’re ready for it.
