Northwestern takes down Rock Hill in SC high school football showdown

By Shane Connuck

Updated October 18, 2025 12:50 AM

ROCK HILL

Northwestern scored another big win against the high school with which it shares home turf.

The Trojans earned a 45-14 victory Friday night in their annual matchup with local rival Rock Hill at District 3 Stadium.

It marks Northwestern’s sixth consecutive win against the Bearcats, whose strong defense kept them in the game early while they made strides on offense.

Junior quarterback Xavier Means led the way for Northwestern (8-1, 5-0 Region 3-5A), using his legs well while finding ways throwing the ball with success.

Northwestern's Xavier Means heads to the end zone Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 in Rock Hill, S.C. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com

“It means a lot to this program,” Means said. “The chemistry is built up from the first game, we're all getting used to each other and finding more rhythm.

“The goal is always states. I think we have the team to do it. We've got the offense and the defense. I trust my guys, I trust myself, and we've got the chance.”

How Northwestern defeated Rock Hill

Rock Hill (5-4, 3-2) recorded several big sacks, forcing Means into pressure.

But a short punt set Northwestern up with excellent field position, and kicker Alex Bendt drilled a 36-yard field goal in the first quarter.

A long rush by Means on the Trojans’ ensuing series brought them closer. Senior defensive back KT Gill-McDonald sacked Means, and then Rock Hill made a big stop on fourth down and short.

“They did some really smart things on defense to put pressure on (Means) and come after him,” Northwestern head coach Page Wofford said. “Our offensive line didn’t respond the best to it early on, and we made those corrections there in the second half and off we go. He’s really poised, goes about his business, doesn’t get too high, doesn’t get too low. It’s what you want to see from a quarterback.”

Northwestern drove downfield and punched it in from short. Its defense came up forced and recovered a fumble on the Bearcats’ next series, jarring the football loose from quarterback Jonah Young.

Rock Hill quarterback Jonah Young looks before handing the ball to Devan Erby Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 in Rock Hill, S.C. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com

Means rushed for two more touchdowns before the conclusion of the first half as the Trojans opened a 24-0 advantage.

Amarion Coleman, the senior defensive back for Northwestern, ran back the opening kickoff that started the second half.

Rock Hill added one early in the third quarter, with Young getting the ball to sophomore Devan Erby for a 32-yard score.

Rock Hill's Devan Erby carries the ball against Northwestern's Jeremiah Cannon Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 in Rock Hill, S.C. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com

Notable

• This matchup revives the original high school rivalry in Rock Hill, dating back to 1971. Northwestern leads 39-24, and has now won six meetings in a row.

• Rock Hill’s defense, anchored by Gill-McDonald and junior linebacker Kaleb Wright, is a strength and helped keep Friday’s game close throughout its opening stages.

• Northwestern’s offense features a balanced attack led by Means, who has capably taken over the air-raid system, supported by junior running back Quay Mobley on the ground and senior wide receiver Kameron Vance.

Up next

Northwestern closes its regular season Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m. against Indian Land, which remains undefeated after blowing out Clover on Friday night.

Rock Hill travels to visit Catawba Ridge next Friday at 7:30 p.m., the Bearcats’ regular season finale.

They said it

“(Young) is starting to grow up in front of our eyes,” Rock Hill head coach Leon Boulware said. “You see a young team on the field, and we've just got to keep working. Last year's team probably would have laid down. We're just gonna keep battling. But we've got to clean up some of those penalty flags and make sure we're giving ourselves a chance to win again.”