York thumps Gamecocks

York improved its winning streak against non-region opponents to 19 straight Friday with a 35-9 road victory over Sumter.

The Cougars seized upon every Gamecocks mistake, of which there were plenty in a season opener. York, which came from behind to beat Sumter last season, jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead on a Cameron McKinney touchdown pass to Wally Wilmore and a Brandon Garvin run. McKinney also scored from from 9 yards out for a three-score lead, and the Cougars never looked back.

“We had some times where we didn’t look good in scrimmages, but those are scrimmages and you’re doing different things,” said Bobby Carroll, coach at York. “Tonight we came out and played really well.”

Turning point

A safety and a touchdown late in the first half sent Sumter into the intermission trailing 21-9. A big start to the second half could have put the Gamecocks back in the game, but a pass interference call on a third-and-eight kept a York drive alive which ended with McKinney’s 1-yard touchdown run to make it 28-9.

Critical

York’s defense, which struggled at times during the preseason scrimmages, held Sumter to less than 100 yards rushing and 107 passing.

Star performer

Questions have surrounded the quarterback position at York all offseason, but McKinney, the senior transfer from Rock Hill,completed 13-of-15 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown, and rushing for two more touchdowns. Senior running back Brandon Garvin rushed for two touchdowns.

Overheard

“They were a more physical team than we were, and I thought we were soft,” said Sumter coach Mark Barnes, who was making his debut against the defending 4A Division II state runner-up. “We’ve got to get better at a lot of things. Me and my coaches have to do a better job and the players have to do a better job.

On deck

York hosts Irmo at home; Sumter plays local rival, Crestwood.

York 35, Sumter 9

SCORING SUMMARY

First Quarter

YHS – Wally Wilmore 35 yard pass from Cameron McKinney (Myles Prosser, kick); 8:16

YHS – Brandon Garvin 45 run (Prosser, kick); 5:13

Second Quarter

YHS – McKinney 9 run (Prosser, kick); 5:58

SHS – Safety; 4:31

SHS – Russell Jenkins 5 run (Brixton Niebuhr, kick) 1:32

Third Quarter

YHS – McKinney 1 run (Prosser, kick); 8:34

YHS – Garvin 1 run (Prosser, kick); 2-23

This story was originally published August 22, 2015 at 3:25 AM with the headline "York thumps Gamecocks."