Strong defense powers Rock Hill to win over York
Rock Hill stopped the York Cougars four times inside the Bearcats' 15-yard line, and got 134 yards rushing from Des Buchanan to earn a hard-fought win 28-21 Friday night at York.
It’s the second year in a row Rock Hill has defeated York in the Cougars’ season-opener.
The Bearcats ran the ball 32 times for 217 yards in a performance reminiscent of the days when Jim Ringer prowled the sidelines for the garnet and black. York was not able to take full advantage of four Rock Hill turnovers. Jordan Morris made a diving interception in the end zone with 23.4 seconds left to clinch the win for the Bearcats.
Turning point
Twice in the first quarter, the Bearcats stopped York on fourth-and-one and then scored on the next possession. The first stop was on the Rock Hill 10 and the Bearcats drove 90 yards to score. The next York possession, the Cougars lost 14 yards on fourth-and-goal from the one. Hayden Jackson hit Antonio Barber for a 73-yard score two plays later. That was two potential 14-point swings. Rock Hill also held the Cougars on third down from the Bearcats’ 13 on the last play of the half.
Critical
Rock hill fumbled a punt at their own nine and had a punt blocked on their own 30 in the first half, and York scored on neither occasion.
Stars
Des Buchanan had 134 yards on 20 carries with a touchdown, and Tylek Simrill carried nine times for 50 yards and a score in the third quarter. Simrill carried the ball four out of five plays on that scoring drive, which were his first carries of the game. Antonio Barber had six catches for 137 yards and two scores. Stephen Oglesby carried 17 times for 123 yards for York. Tajh Reid-Stanley had an 85-yard kickoff return for a score to get York back within one possession with seven minutes left.
On deck
Rock Hill hosts South Pointe next week and York travels to Union.
Game summary
Rock Hill 28 York 21
RH;7;7;7;7;-;28
York;0;7;0;14;-;21
First quarter
RH - Des Buchanan 1 run (Ryan Hearn kick) 2:40
Second quarter
RH - Antonio Barber 73 pass from Hayden Jackson (Hearn kick) 11:34
York - Joe Wade 3 run (Alejandro Ruiz kick) 7:34
Third quarter
RH - Tylek Simrill 3 run (Hearn kick) 3:03
Fourth quarter
York - Zion Walker 38 pass from Ethan Mitchell (kick failed) 9:27
RH - Barber 33 pass from Jackson (Hearn kick) 7:10
York - Tajh Reid-Stanley 85 kickoff return (Walker pass from Mitchell) 6:58
Team statistics
RH;York
First Downs;24;18
Rushes-Yards;40-219;46-176
Passing;11-17-2-1;11-23-1-2
Passing Yards;224;146
Fumbles-Lost;4-3;4-0
Penalties-Yards;7-70;8-60
Individual statistics
RUSHING Rock Hill: Desmond Buchanan 20-134; Narii Gaither 3-33; Hayden Jackson 8-2; Tylek Simrill 9-50. York: Joe Wade 17-59; Stephen Oglesby 17-123; Ladarius Allison 2-(-1); Ethan Mitchell 5-(-2); Shaquille Harris 2-3; Zaye Robbins 1-5; JT Sander 1-2; Team 1-(-13).
PASSING Rock Hill: Jackson 11-17-2-1, 224 yards. York: Mitchell 11-23-1-2, 146 yards.
RECEIVING Rock Hill: Raphael Wright 2-28; Artavious Anthony 2-52; Antonio Barber 6-137; Justin Patterson 1-7. York: Allison 1-9; Zion Walker 3-51; Harris 4-41; Kalil Ellis 1-14; Wade 1-17; Omari Mitchell 1-14.
RECORDS Rock Hill 1-1; York 0-1.
This story was originally published August 25, 2017 at 11:24 PM with the headline "Strong defense powers Rock Hill to win over York."