HS football roundup: Lancaster and Chester open season with blowout wins
Spartanburg 52, Nation Ford 28
SPARTANBURG — Michael Allen’s Falcons made the expedition up I-85 to face Spartanburg for the first time in their 12-year
history.
The seven-time state champion Vikings had a similar 2017 season to Nation Ford. They went 6-6 to the Falcons’ tumultuous 5-6, and had to consider the same questions at the quarterback position.
The Vikings have a couple of FBS players. Running back Zykameren Robinson -- who was unfortunately injured in the fourth quarter -- has a slew of offers including South Carolina, Tennessee and Missouri. Wide receiver Moe Wedman committed to Navy before the 2018 season.
Nation Ford stepped off their bus at Gibbs Stadium, but the first half felt like they were dropped at a Carowinds roller coaster.
The game began a tale of two quarters. Everything seemed to go the Vikings’ way in the first quarter, when Zykamren Robinson busted into the endzone in the opening minutes for a four yard rush.
After a short Falcons’ drive, Vikings’ sophomore quarterback Seth Smith tossed the ball to Rykem “Rock” Ferguson, who found a wide-open Navy commit Moe Wedman. Wedman trotted into the endzone on the double pass, giving the Vikings a 14-0 lead.
One Spartanburg pick six later, the first quarter ended. That’s when the Falcons made their move -- Prince threw a royal touchdown pass to Harrison Cohen. A 71-yard interception return for a touchdown from Petey Tuipulotu ensued on the next drive. The Falcon defense held strong throughout the second quarter, but near halftime a wild punt block was returned for a touchdown by Spartanburg’s “Rock” Ferguson.
That’s when Nation Ford’s wheels seemed to fall off. Spartanburg piled on a 42-14 lead in the third quarter, and the Falcons were unable to recover despite valiant efforts en route to a 52-28 victory.
Turning Point
With the second quarter clock ticking down, the Falcons were down 21-14. The Vikings blocked a punt and “Rock” Ferguson returned it for a touchdown. Nation Ford was unable to recover, and did not come within two touchdowns for the rest of the game.
Critical
Mistakes, mistakes, and more mistakes. That can be expected in most season openers, and both teams - both young - suffered from sloppy play. There were four cumulative pick sixes, a blocked punt, and a ton of penalties. It made for an entertaining roller coaster of a game.
Star Contributors
Rykem Ferguson had a fantastic game until he finished the day due to a fourth quarter injury. He threw, ran, and returned touchdowns.
On deck: Nation Ford’s tough non-region schedule continues with an Aug. 24 home game against Conway.
Sumter 33, Rock Hill 23
SUMTER — Sumter wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the 2018 season.
Immediately following a penalty on the kickoff, the Gamecocks scored on a 90-yard touchdown catch to put them up 7-0 with 11:43 in the first quarter. Rock Hill responded quickly, aided by a 15-yard Narii Gaither run to set up a 28-yard TD-run by Noah Thompson to cap off a 80-yard opening drive to tie things up 7-7.
Sumter was aided by two Rock Hill penalties on their second drive, while Rock Hill moved the ball with receptions from Tennessee commit Antonio Barber and Artavis Anthony. Both teams were tied at 10 at the end of the first quarter when lightning struck and suspended play for an hour and 20 minutes. When play resumed, Narii Gaither exploded for a 30-yard TD run to give Rock Hill its first lead of the game at 17-10 with 7:11 in the second. Sumter fumbled on the preceding series to set the Bearcats up at the 6-yard line, but Rock Hill gave the ball right back with an interception in the end zone.
The Gamecocks went 80 yards, highlighted by a 30-yard zone read keeper, which ended in a 6-yard touchdown run and a 2-point conversion to take the lead 18-17 at the half. After Sumter scored to go up 23-17 in the third quarter, Rock Hill responded with a strong drive aided by the run game, ending with a 2-yard TD run by Gaither with 11 seconds left in the third quarter to cut the Gamecocks lead to 26-23. Sumter played keep away in the fourth quarter and scored on a 4th and 7 on a wheel route to extend their lead to 33-23 with 6:37 left. Rock Hill tried to make a run late, but Hayden Jackson was intercepted with 4:44 left in the contest securing the win for Sumter.
On deck: Rock Hill will host South Pointe at District 3 next Friday night.
Lancaster 35, Indian Land 7
The Lancaster Bruins scored in every quarter and beat the Indian Land Warriors 35-7 in a non-region game at Indian Land.
Lancaster took a 7-0 lead after one period as Kemario Cloud scored on a 64-yard run midway through the stanza. Jacob Cato kicked the extra point.
The teams traded scores in the second period and the Bruins led 14-7 at intermission. Lancaster’s score came from Asonta Clark on a three-yard run, and Cato tacked on the extra point.
Lancaster added another score early in the third period. Nygel Moore scampered 28 yards for the touchdown and Cato kicked his third PAT of the night for a 21-7 lead.
The Bruins upped the count to 28-7 midway through the third quarter. Geekeyus McCain’s interception set up the drive, and Zach Truesdale capped it with a three-yard run with Cato adding the extra point.
The Bruins added another touchdown in the fourth quarter. Nygel Moore scored from 35 yards out with 1:05 remaining in the contest for a 35-7 lead after Cato kicked another extra point.
On deck: Lancaster returns home on Aug. 24 with a tough contest against 3A powerhouse Fairfield Central. Indian Land plays at home for the second straight week against a county rival, Buford.
Chester 44, Aiken 12
AIKEN — Aiken and Chester had never met prior to tonight’s season opener. The first quarter was scoreless before Chester broke the drought with 10:48 in the second quarter to go up 8-0. After a few defensive stops and a running game led by Pha’Leak Brown, Chester punched it in to go up 16-0 with 8:31 in the second quarter. Toward the halftime horn, Chester punched it in to go up 30-0 to wrap up the first half scoring as the Cyclones established complete control.
Both defenses held their own early in the second half before Aiken ended the shutout to cut Chester’s lead to 30-6 with 9:46 left in the third quarter. Aiken found some life with another touchdown to cut the lead to 30-12 late in the quarter. Chester ended the scoring for the night with 2:38 left in the fourth quarter to secure its first win of the season, 44-12.
Chester offensive line Coach Chris Dodson said the difference in the game was the turnovers, two that gave Aiken life in the second half.
“We went in with a 30-0 lead at half and we turned the ball over a couple of times in the third quarter and gave up two scores to make it 30-12,” Dodson said.
Stan Mills, Pha’Leak Brown and Immaunel Wright all stood out to Dodson, who were all huge factors in Chester’s run game.
Dodson said Teddy Murphy dominated the first half and the third quarter, and said the offensive line played solid.
“We had several 60 and 80-yard drives,” Dodson said.
App State commit Wyatt Tunall echoed his coach’s comments and believes there is room for improvement.
“We got some stuff we need to work on technical wise, but other than that we had a great game. Instead of taking breaks and sitting down, we just need to keep on each other and keep each going and keep our heads up so we can keep playing,” Tunall said.
On deck: Chester travels to Fort Mill to face the 5A Yellow Jackets on Aug. 24.
Great Falls 8, C. A. Johnson 6
The Great Falls Red Devils ended a 19-game losing streak with an 8-6 win over C. A. Johnson at Great Falls Friday night.
Steen was elated after the Red Devils’ ended their losing streak dating back to 2015.
“It was a team win, led by our defense. Everybody stepped and played multiple roles. It was an emotional win,” Steen said.
Guys that stood out to Steen include D.J. Adams, who played corner and quarterback “from time-to-time” according to Steen. Other guys mentioned were Kelton Talford, who caught a touchdown and made the game-winning interception and Da’Shawn Johnson, who Steen says never came off the field with the exception of a cramp.
Turnovers were not an issue for the Red Devils against C.A. Johnson.
“We did a great job protecting the football offensively. We didn’t turn the ball over. Special teams stepped up and covered well but the defense was the catalyst for the win, they stepped up time and time again, kept bending but wouldn’t break. We were more disciplined across the board,” Steen said.
This story was originally published August 17, 2018 at 10:31 PM.