Who’ll be region champ? Rock Hill region teams have their eyes on capturing titles

Eight Rock Hill region high school football teams have real hopes for making next month’s South Carolina High School League state playoffs.

One of the easier paths is earing a region championship. That means bragging rights and at least two playoff games on the home field.

Some schools simply need to continue winning. Here’s some scenarios as we head into crunch time.

5A

Teams in play: Clover, Rock Hill

Clover is looking for its first region title since 2019, while Rock Hill hasn’t won a region crown since 2018.

Both teams are 3-0 in the region, and the region crown will be determined on October 27 when the Blue Eagles and Bearcats face off at District Three Stadium. The winner will be region champion while the loser falls to second or third place.

4A

Teams in play: York, Northwestern, South Pointe

Northwestern and South Pointe respectively have been the upper-state representatives for the 4A state championship in the past two years. Now they are the lone two undefeated teams in the region.

York currently stands at 2-1 in the region.

Northwestern’s path to the title is simple: beat South Pointe.

South Pointe’s path to the title is also relatively simple: win out.

York, however, needs some things to go their way. The Cougars lost to Northwestern earlier this year. However, if York and South Pointe win this week, it sets up a big game between those two next week.

If York beats South Pointe and Northwestern loses to Catawba Ridge next week, then the Cougars will win its first region title since being elevated to 4A in 2012.

However, if York beats South Pointe and Northwestern beats Catawba Ridge, it would set up a three-way tie for first place with York, Northwestern and South Pointe all at 4-1 with wins over each other.

Per region tiebreaker rules, all three teams would be considered tri-champions, with seeding determined by whoever allowed the fewest points in matchups between the three schools.

3A

Teams in play: Chester

Chester hasn’t won its region since its state championship-winning campaign in 2018.

This year, Chester finds itself exactly where it was last year: undefeated in the region heading into its regular-season finale against Clinton, and with a chance to take the region crown. Clinton won last year’s contest 48-20.

All Chester needs to do is win Friday night, and the Cyclones are 3A Region 4 champs.

2A

Teams in play: Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson won its region last year, but winning it this year will be a huge achievement for first-year head coach Jeremy Smith.

The Volunteers currently sit at 3-0 in the region and need a win over cross-town rival North Central to take the crown.

Andrew Jackson is 6-2 in this matchup over the last eight meetings.

1A

Teams in play: Lewisville

Lewisville is the unanimous top team in 1A, and the Lions have their sights on a second-straight region title.

To accomplish this, Lewisville will need to win its final two games -- this week against Whitmire, and next week against McBee.

Since its season-opening 24-7 loss to Oceanside Collegiate, the Lions have outscored their opponents 304-6.

This story was originally published October 20, 2023 at 10:14 AM.