Week 7 high school football preview: Nation Ford-Rock Hill and Fort Mill-Clover
Nation Ford at Rock Hill
Last week: Nation Ford beat Clover 42-13; Rock Hill lost to Gaffney 30-20
Last meeting: Nation Ford won 21-7 (2015)
Key players: NFHS - Sr. DB Harry Goodwin; Soph. LB Ashton Schaufert; Sr. DE Deandre Watkins; Sr. WR Halen Burgess. RHHS - Sr. DB Chesia Coleman; Sr. LB Kendrick Hicks; Jr. DB Jordan Morris; Soph. RB Narrii Gaither.
Need to know: The Falcons have won three out of four in this matchup; last year’s 14-point margin of victory was the largest during that four-game stretch. Michael Allen’s team continues to improve as the season progresses and the Falcons may be cruising below most folks’ radars. Lithe sophomore receiver Dewuan McCullum is averaging over 100 yards receiving in the last four games and gives the Falcons another deep threat, while transfer QB Kirk Rygol continues to develop chemistry with his receivers. Thursday night’s game is Rock Hill’s region opener and the Bearcats’ record is again 0-0. Can Bubba Pittman’s team shut the door on a miserable non-region portion that didn’t do their confidence any good?
Fort Mill at Clover
Last week: Fort Mill lost to Northwestern 41-0; Clover lost to Nation Ford 42-13
Last meeting: Fort Mill won 46-30 (2015)
Key players: FMHS - Jr. RB Jackson Randall; Sr. WR/DB Gus Jarosz; Soph. DL Mel Plankenhorn; Sr. DB Mike Derado. CHS - Sr. WR DreQuann Starr; Sr. LB Blake Watson; Sr. DB Lakerri Adams; Jr. WB Connor Owens.
Need to know: The Yellow Jackets have won four straight in the rivalry, but this year’s matchup looks pretty tight and the only way Ed Susi’s team takes a victory is with major offensive improvement from the Northwestern game. Fort Mill mustered just six first downs in that game (1-for-11 on third down) and the visitors need to start well against Clover (especially with tough games against Rock Hill, Dorman and Nation Ford looming). The Blue Eagles have won their last two first halves against York and Nation Ford 35-21, but have been out-scored 43-3 in the second halves.
Region 4-5A standings
Team | Overall record | Region record | Points scored | Points allowed |
Northwestern | 6-1 | 1-0 | 259 | 128 |
Nation Ford | 5-1 | 1-0 | 183 | 97 |
Rock Hill | 1-5 | 0-0 | 168 | 183 |
Clover | 5-1 | 0-1 | 172 | 110 |
Fort Mill | 2-4 | 0-1 | 147 | 161 |
Region 2-A standings
Team | Overall record | Region record | Points scored | Points allowed |
McBee | 4-2 | 1-0 | 186 | 150 |
Timmonsville | 2-5 | 1-0 | 137 | 141 |
Lamar | 6-0 | 0-0 | 233 | 45 |
Lewisville | 6-1 | 0-1 | 248 | 112 |
Great Falls | 0-7 | 0-1 | 61 | 314 |
Region 3-4A standings
Team | Overall record | Region record | Points scored | Points allowed |
South Pointe | 5-1 | 1-0 | 170 | 111 |
Lancaster | 4-2 | 1-0 | 143 | 96 |
York | 2-4 | 1-0 | 175 | 178 |
Ridge View | 5-1 | 0-1 | 189 | 184 |
Richland Northeast | 4-2 | 0-1 | 208 | 125 |
Westwood | 2-4 | 0-1 | 93 | 159 |
Region 4-3A standings
Team | Overall record | Region record | Points scored | Points allowed |
Chester | 6-1 | 1-0 | 287 | 93 |
Fairfield Central | 5-2 | 1-0 | 204 | 110 |
Camden | 3-3 | 0-0 | 186 | 185 |
Columbia | 2-4 | 0-1 | 126 | 179 |
Indian Land | 1-6 | 0-1 | 106 | 245 |
This story was originally published October 5, 2016 at 2:44 PM with the headline "Week 7 high school football preview: Nation Ford-Rock Hill and Fort Mill-Clover."