Clover football erases double-digit deficit in fourth consecutive rivalry win over York
Clover running back Demarco Evans scored a game-winning 13-yard touchdown with 6:54 left in the game as the Blue Eagles overcame an early 14 point deficit to beat the rival York Cougars, 28-24, on Friday night.
This was the 109th meeting between the two schools in one of the longest-standing high school rivalries in the country.
The win marks Clover’s fourth consecutive victory in the rivalry series, which dates back to 1912.
“It feels great, man,” Clover head coach Brian Lane said. “Our ninth grade won. Our JV won. We won. With rivals, you want to beat them all the way through the ranks, and that’s what our guys did.”
Heading into the game, Lane lauded his defense for its ability to slow down opposing offenses, and he got another special performance from the defensive unit Friday.
After being down 24-14 at halftime, the Clover defense pitched a second-half shutout against York, giving the Blue Eagles the opportunity to get back in the game.
“Our kids fought back,” Lane said. “That’s what I’m so proud of. We’ve been in every game we play. And now, our guys are learning to overcome those things and win in the fourth quarter, so I’m very proud of my group.”
York dominated the first half, coming down with two interceptions and forcing two turnovers on downs. However, York was unable to keep that momentum going in the second half.
A fumble in the fourth quarter led to Evans’ game-winning score, and they had two drives end in a turnovers on downs, including their final one with fewer than three minutes to play in the game.
“We didn’t play 48 minutes,” York head coach Dean Boyd said. “We played about 36 to 37. And you got to play the whole time. You got to give them (Clover) credit. They came out in the second half, and they had to stop us and had to score. And they did that, so give them props.”
Clover may have entered the game at 0-2, but Boyd knew that the Blue Eagles were much better than their record. He knew coming into the game that Clover was going to be a challenge, and that York had to be on their game to see out a victory.
“They’re a good football team,” he said. “I know their record was 0-2 coming in, but that is not indicative of the type of team that they are. We just got to back to the drawing board and correct some mistakes and do some things a little bit differently. Coaches. Players. Everybody.”
Clover quarterback Jaylon Hoover played a huge part in the Blue Eagles’ comeback, bouncing back from those two first-half interceptions and totaling more than 200 yards of total offense.
“We were just trying to do too much,” Hoover said. “We got caught trying to do more than we needed. Then heading into the second half, in the locker room, we noticed we were only down 10. And we noticed that if we just go out there and keep playing and keep fighting and doing the little things, everything will lead up to a big thing.”
The Blue Eagles move on to face Dorman at home next Friday.
York (2-1) suffered its first loss of the season and will look to bounce back in another home game next Friday against Rock Hill.
Both games kick off at 7:30 p.m.
This story was originally published September 9, 2022 at 11:50 PM.