South Pointe propelled by strong second quarter in 53-0 win
Another week of football and another dominant performance from the South Pointe Stallions as they stormed past the Nation Ford Falcons 53-0.
South Pointe was led by senior quarterback Derion Kendrick.
“I love watching him play,” said Stallions’ head coach Strait Herron. “It gives us a whole different dynamic.”
Nation Ford (0-2) knew facing the state’s No. 1 ranked 4A team, South Pointe (2-0), was not going to be an easy task, especially after they handled their rivals, Northwestern, the opening week of the season.
“They are a good football team,” said Nation Ford head coach Michael Allen. “We made a lot of mistakes. The quarterback position is holding us back at the moment.”
Both teams turned the ball over on their opening drives, with Nation Ford giving the ball back to the Stallions in good field position after an interception from Falcons’ starter Tayler Teti. Penalties stalled South Pointe on their drive as they got hit with three consecutive penalties, forcing them to turn to senior kicker B.T. Potter for a 45-yard field goal.
The Stallions’ really stepped on the gas on their next drive as Kendrick hit Steve Gilmore just three plays into the drive resulting in a 42-yard touchdown to put South Pointe up 10-0.
Nation Ford did get things moving their way as G’hari Page started picking up large chunks of yards on runs in the second quarter. Page ran for two first downs, before the drive was stalled. Page was the only offense that Nation Ford could seem to get going in the first half.
Turning point
Nation Ford was picked off on their first drive in the second quarter. South Pointe made sure they capitalized, scoring four plays later as Kendrick hit Marice Whitlock for a six-yard touchdown to put the Stallions up 20-0.
Critical
Nation Ford struggled moving the ball in the first quarter, while turning the ball over twice. The Falcons also got a costly unsportsmanlike penalty on their best drive of the first half, forcing them to punt. South Pointe’s defense also had a lot to do with that as they held Nation Ford to five first downs in the half and a total of 61 yards of offense.
Star contributions
Kendrick threw for 295 yards in the first half and was 16-for-16 passing. For the game, Kendrick passed for 324 yards and was 18-for-18 with four passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.
“I have been working hard since last season,” Kendrick said. “I was just feeling it today. Even in school I was feeling it.”
Page rushed for 61 yards for Nation Ford on 13 carries before leaving the game.
On deck
Nation Ford has a bye week; South Pointe travels to District III Stadium to face the Rock Hill Bearcats.
Box score
South Pointe 53, Nation Ford 0
South Pointe 10;24;13;6;-;53
Nation Ford 0;0;0;0;-0
Scoring Summary
First quarter
SP-BT Potter 45-yard field goal, 6:22
SP-Steve Gilmore 42-yard reception from Derion Kendrick (Potter kick), 4:19
Second quarter
SP-Potter 45-yard field goal, 11:10
SP-Marice Whitlock six-yard reception from Kendrick (Potter kick), 10:01
SP-Ty Good 62-yard reception from Kendrick (Potter kick), 6:15
SP-Kendrick five-yard run (Potter kick), 1:59
Third quarter
SP-Gilmore 15-yard reception from Kendrick (PAT no good), 8:26
SP-Whitlock 10-yard run (Diego Rodriguez kick), 5:39
Fourth quarter
SP-James McKinney 14-yard run (PAT no good), 5:27
This story was originally published August 25, 2017 at 11:11 PM with the headline "South Pointe propelled by strong second quarter in 53-0 win."