Northwestern’s Quay Mobley leads Rock Hill-area performers in football openers
Northwestern wasted little time letting everyone know they were back to win another state championship this season.
The Trojans came into the season ranked No. 4 in the South Carolina media poll, but for coach Page Wofford, he doesn’t put any emphasis on what others think of his team.
“I say it all the time when it comes to polls,” Wofford said, “what other people think of us is none of our business. If they want to put us fourth, put us fourth, that isn’t something that we are going to pay attention to here at Northwestern. It didn’t come across my mind once about where we were ranked.”
Northwestern ran out to a 27-0 lead on No. 6 Spartanburg before the Vikings could get on the scoreboard. A few more scores from the Trojans capped off a season-opening 39-7 win.
“Spartanburg is one of the only teams in the state, maybe like three or four, that have winning records against Northwestern,” Wofford said. “It will be a few years before we catch up to them. We started playing them back in 1972, so they’ve been good for a long time, and I think the last 20 or so years have been pretty even or we’ve got the nod, but as it is now, they still have the edge on us, but we’ll take that win Friday and try to get back at it this week.”
Northwestern junior running back Quay Mobley was responsible for three of his team’s touchdowns. Mobley rushed 12 times for 118 yards. He was just shy of 10 yards per carry. When your running back is getting close to a first down nearly every touch, winning football games becomes a little easier.
Despite putting up video game-like numbers, Mobley was selfless, giving credit to everyone but himself.
“The defense did their thing stopping a really good team,” Mobley said. “The receivers and offensive line’s blocking was just amazing. They have been working their tails off all summer long. They open up running lanes for me and from there I am just blessed to have the ball in my hands; they make it easy for me.”
Even though he is a junior, Mobley says he feels responsible as a leader on this team to make sure they are checking the right boxes each week.
“Everyone wants to be great,” Mobley said. “But, if you show people and lead by example, that is the best thing you can do. Show people why they should want to be like you, workout like you, and ultimately follow you.”
In Week 1 games oftentimes teams will come out a bit shaky, but not the Trojans. Wofford attributes Mobley’s performance to that.
“He set the tone for the team,” Wofford said. “He’d break off a 24 or 25 yard run and even when he wasn’t doing that, he was being really physical between the tackles and dragging people with him, forcing them to drag him down. So, he was just a great spark when we needed it, and honestly I probably didn’t give (the ball) to him enough.”
The Trojans host Ridge View (Columbia) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Other top Rock Hill-area performers
Jeremiah Cannon, Northwestern, senior linebacker: Cannon combined for a total of six tackles in the win against Spartanburg — which averaged 32 points per game last season — holding the team to just seven in the opener. He also had one of Northwestern’s two interceptions in the game.
J’Zavien Currence, South Pointe, senior athlete: Currence may be committed to South Carolina as a defensive back, but he plays several positions. In a 14-10 loss to North Carolina power Hough, Currence rejuvenated the Stallions offense by replacing Cam McMillon at quarterback, and was responsible for the only Stallions touchdown on a 15-yard rush. He also went 11-for-22 passing for 154 yards in a little over a half at the quarterback spot.
Marvin Randolph, Rock Hill, senior running back: In an opening 31-18 win against River Bluff, Randolph had 173 yards on just 10 carries and a touchdown. The Bearcats have had just one winning season in four years, but first-year coach Leon Boulware is hoping to change that.
Top games to watch in the Rock Hill area
Rock Hill (1-0) at South Pointe (0-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday: The Rock Hill Bearcats, fresh off a dominant Week 1 win, will travel to South Pointe, South Carolina’s top-ranked 4A school. The Stallions will be eager to get in the win column after a heartbreaking loss to North Carolina power Hough in Week 1.
Hillcrest (1-0) at Clover (0-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday: Clover dropped a heartbreaker in Week 1 to Chambers out of Charlotte, 35-34. They have a Week 2 matchup with Hillcrest which scored 56 points in a blowout win against Laurens in the opener. The Blue Eagles have played Hillcrest every year during their non-conference slate since 2022, and have yet to edge the Rams, losing all three matchups.
Indian Land (1-0) at Lancaster (0-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday: Indian Land scored a convincing 36-6 win against fellow upper state foe York last week. The Warriors will travel to face a hungry Lancaster team, which lost by two points to Chester in Week 1, 16-14.