Rock Hill Herald MMQB: Fort Mill Yellow Jackets off to best start in a decade
The Fort Mill Yellow Jackets are off to a 2-0 start for the first time in 10 years.
Coach Rob McNeely, who has been the head coach since 2018, said the buy-in with this year’s team has been a lot different from years past.
“You have to understand teenagers,” McNeely said, “they haven’t seen the results they want to on the scoreboard or their parents haven’t seen the results on the scoreboard, offensively and things like that. Players see and hear things outside the building and I’m sure that makes it even tougher on them. Teenagers, it is hard for them to just jump in the water so to speak. They have dipped their toes in it from year to year. But, now, they have bought into this offense… and bought into a whole new offensive system.”
McNeely said the key to get from 2-0 to 3-0 is making sure the kids believe they deserve to win each week.
“What we do as coaches with game scouting and scouting our opponents, knowing what we are discussing in meetings, making sure those things are done the right way,” McNeely said. “Then, making sure the kids are practicing the right way and buying into the game plan. My whole philosophy is centered around deserving to win. So, I am making sure we are doing the right things throughout the week to win on Friday nights. We’re not good enough to flip on the switch at 7:30 on a Friday night and win. So, we’ve got to put in the work during the week to make sure that we deserve to win.”
Offensive line emerges
Some of the emerging leaders on this year’s Yellow Jacket squad may turn some heads.
“Well, I believe that our offensive line as an entire group is really starting to emerge as leaders,” McNeely said. “You know, we are not the biggest or the strongest line but it is just a group that is playing for one another and making sure they are doing the right thing for one another. That means blocking for one another and their friends and teammates behind them. I am very proud of how that group is growing and really emerging as some of our best leaders.”
Senior quarterback Quinn Kelly is another player McNeely mentioned as showing some of the most growth as not only a player but leader, too. Kelly threw for 231 yards and 4 touchdowns in the Yellow Jackets 35-14 win over Chester last Friday.
“I think Quinn is playing with a lot more poise this year,” McNeely said. “He has been playing varsity football since he was a sophomore. I’m not sure he was ready for that as a sophomore but fortunately it has worked out for him and us as a team. I think he has a lot more confidence in the guys up front and the guys he is throwing the ball to as well.”
McNeely added that he is now seeing belief. Buying-in is what every team needs to be successful and now for the first time since he took the job McNeely is seeing visible belief in the process that he is implementing.
“I think we have good senior leadership on this team,” McNeely said. “They work hard in the weight room; they work hard on the practice field, and now they are learning a little bit harder, too. So, with all of that comes success. Even when you don’t see the desired results on the scoreboard, you have to believe in what you are doing. Now, the kids are and they’re seeing so it is a little bit easier to believe in the process.”
Other top Rock Hill-area performers
Kam Vance, Northwestern, senior wide receiver: Vance helped the Trojans comeback against Ridge View and improve to 2-0 with 8 receptions for 130 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also added in some fireworks in the kick return game with 128 return yards and a touchdown.
Michael Johnson, Indian Land, senior linebacker: In a dominant 42-7 win over Lancaster on Friday, Johnson anchored the Indian Land defense securing 15 tackles, 1 sack, a forced fumble and scoop and score touchdown. The Warriors improved to 2-0 and have not given up double-digit points in either of the first two weeks.
R.J. Brown, South Pointe, senior running back: The Stallions bounced back in Week 2 with a 28-6 win over Rock Hill. Brown was the X-factor for coach Bobby Collins with 13 carries for 108 yards and two touchdowns. The Stallions improved to 1-1 with the win.
Top games to watch in the Rock Hill area
West Charlotte (1-1) at South Pointe (1-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday: In what should be the game of the week in all of South Carolina, the South Pointe Stallions host North Carolina power West Charlotte. Both teams suffered Week 1 losses at the hands of other top teams in North Carolina and will be looking to make a statement in Week 3.
Northwestern (2-0) at South Florence (2-0), 7:05 p.m. Friday: Both Northwestern and South Florence are ranked in the top five teams in South Carolina, and for good reason. Northwestern is coming off a win over Ridge View in which they trailed 14-0 early before mounting the comeback. South Florence won a nail biting game, 22-21 in overtime, against state power Summerville.
Clover (1-1) at Palisades (2-0), 7 p.m. Friday: The Blue Eagles will cross the state border and face the unbeaten Pumas of Palisades high school on Friday. This will be Clover’s second chance at knocking off a North Carolina school after falling to Chambers out of Charlotte in Week 1, 35-34. The Blue Eagles bounced back, beating Hillcrest in Week 2, ending a three year drought against Hillcrest.