‘It’s finally my turn.’ Nation Ford football looks to reload on offense, special teams

Nation Ford High School head football coach Michael Allen admitted to feeling a little pain when he removed four key names from his master roster.

As he began to finalize his updated list of players ahead of the 2020 season, Allen had to delete the names of some crucial members of the team (6-5 in 2019) that made last year’s state playoffs and went toe-to-toe with perennial achiever Byrnes High School in the first round.

Running back Nathan Mahaffey (Limestone College), kicker Quinn Castner (Clemson University), and wide receiver Petey Tuipulotu (Brigham Young University) all graduated this spring and are expected to make an impact at the college level. Two-year starting quarterback Gabe Huitt transferred over the summer to Shelby High School (N.C.) as a rising senior.

Mahaffey, Tuipulotu and Huitt were responsible for 28 of Nation Ford’s touchdowns in 2019. Castner notched 35 of his 37 PATs last year, and connected on 13 of his 14 attempted field goals.

“It’s hard to replace that level of play,” Allen said earlier this week. “But you don’t really replace them. We set up a tradition and the standard for all the kids, and that motivates the younger ones. It validates what you’re trying to accomplish.”

Nation Ford’s all-in approach on tradition has paid off during Allen’s tenure. In his 10 years as head coach, the program has made the state playoffs nine times.

If the Falcons are to make that happen yet again, they will have to rebuild their team as well as contend with two new opponents in Region 3-5A. Boiling Springs and Gaffney have replaced Rock Hill and Northwestern as Nation Ford’s new region foes.

Allen’s players have been eager to play, dating back to this spring.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has brought practice restrictions over the past several months, the Falcons have adjusted well. The team is practicing in small position-related hubs during different hours of the morning to aid contact tracing. Players have been wearing facemasks while around others.

J’Quon Carter, a senior defensive tackle, said the team feels a “sense of family.”

“It’s hard not being with others that you are normally,” he said, fresh off conditioning work Tuesday morning. “But we have to be prepared to play, we’ve been working all summer. I’m getting excited, it’s been a minute. I’ve watched other seniors over the years, and I’m ready to be one of them (and) play in a playoff game. It’s finally my turn.”

Nation Ford offense

Allen said his team’s spread offense won’t change much, but the personnel will.

Steven McFadden, a senior tight-end, will be expected to provide depth with junior running back Eli Whitner in the ground game, as well as provide an option on some short passing situations.

Juniors Jerrick Foster and Quadeir Hand and senior Ty Keaton will likely receive the most targets at wide receiver.

“We lost a couple key guys with Nathan and Petey, they’re college football players,” offensive coordinator David Johnson said. “Anybody who played us knew that (Mahaffey) would touch the ball a lot. This year, those key guys are spread out amongst the team.”

Sophomore Carson Black is likely to replace Huitt as the team’s starting quarterback after transferring in over the summer from Sun Valley High (N.C.). Allen said Black has a strong arm and is very coachable. Black started for Sun Valley as a freshman.

Foster said he and Black have been able to quickly gain a rapport on the field.

“Our relationship has got to be strong,” said Foster. “That respect is what it comes down to. Always talking, being more than just a teammate.”

Johnson and Allen said they will rely on junior guard Marcus Romec, junior left tackle Michael Agnew, senior tackles Ethan Bowling and Sam Coyle, sophomore Alan Minarro and junior TJ Miller to fill out the offensive line.

Nation Ford defense

Defensive coordinator Kirkley Russell said many of his defensive standouts picked up valuable playing time last year.

He’ll be looking toward seniors Bryce Webb, a 6-foot, 255-pound senior who verbally committed to Navy this summer, and J’Quon Carter, a 6-2, 235-pound senior, as returning starters at defensive tackle.

Defensive ends will include juniors Marcus Landrum and Callan Sobas. Sophomore Clayton Rygol is expected to play middle linebacker. McFadden is likely to deputize wherever Allen needs him.

Senior Jackson Sims, an outside linebacker and strong safety who was promoted from junior varsity last season, said he takes pride in being able to help his team achieve their goals.

“We’re a family, it’s like a brotherhood,” Sims said. “When you’re on the field, you’re with your brothers.”

Seniors Keaton and Cameron Ziegler, as well as juniors Foster and Whitner can all help out in the secondary.

Russell said he’s focused on making sure his young players are getting the fundamentals correct every time.

“It’s about learning to add and subtract before you multiply and divide,” he said. “That’s the biggest difference.”

Special teams: Replacing Castner and more

Nation Ford plans to replace nearly all of its kicking and punting specialists from last year.

Outside of Castner at kicker, the Falcons also lost their reliable punter, Seth Richardson, and their long snapper and holder, according to Allen.

Allen said he expects Evan Cox, a JV kicker last year, to step up into the kicking duties.

Returning standouts Keaton and Foster took nearly all of their team’s punt returns and kickoff returns last year, respectively.

Nation Ford football schedule

Sept. 25: Fort Mill (home)

Oct. 2: Boiling Springs (away)

Oct. 9: Gaffney (home)

Oct. 16: White Knoll (away)

Oct. 23: Clover (away)

Oct. 30: Northwestern (home)

Nov. 6: Catawba Ridge (away)

Editor’s note: This story is one of 15 high school football previews The Herald will run prior to the first game of the regular season on Sept. 25. Look out for a preview of the Fort Mill football team to appear at heraldonline.com on Tuesday.