Trojans beat South Pointe on last play for second straight year

For the second straight year, Northwestern survived South Pointe thanks to a failed 2-point conversion.

Friday night’s came in overtime of the Trojans’ 35-34 win. Northwestern (4-1) scored on the first play of its possession from the 10-yard line, Gage Moloney firing to Jordan Starkes in the left seam of the Stallion defense for a touchdown.

Top-ranked South Pointe’s riposte was just as immediate. Greg Ruff dropped off a short pass to Derion Kendrick in the right flat and he powered in for his third touchdown catch of the night to make it 35-34. South Pointe (4-1) coach Strait Herron had no qualms deciding to try for the 2-point conversion – and the win – again.

“Our defense struggled a little bit, and I knew we’d have it,” said South Pointe coach Strait Herron, whose team lost for the first time in nearly 12 months. “We had it. You know, the Lord works in mysterious ways.”

The play worked perfectly. Ruff floated to the right side and found a South Pointe receiver – let’s leave him unnamed; he’s not a professional – wide open in the end zone. But the low pass slipped through his grasp. Likewise for a statement-making win for the host Stallions in front of a District Three South Stadium packed to the gills.

“This is what high school football’s about,” said Northwestern coach Kyle Richardson, whose team missed a 34-yard field goal that would have won the game in regulation. “Sold-out stadium, 5 miles apart, and back to back years of it coming down to the last play of the game.”

South Pointe led 13-0 within five minutes. Ruff underthrew Josh Wilkes, who came back for a downfield catch before sprinting past Trojan tacklers for a 63-yard touchdown, before Ruff fired to Tony Cherry, who skipped through a maze of defenders to score.

Northwestern closed the half with 21 unanswered points, though. They pulled it off by winning the line of scrimmage on offense and defense. Logan Rudolph, Winston Daniels, Trae’von Hinton and Da’Chon Witherspoon harassed Ruff, while the Trojan offensive line paved the way for hard-barging Jerry Howard. After Moloney capped a 12-play, 80-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown, Howard broke free up the gut for a 49-yard touchdown run, then took a 7-yard swing pass and smashed in to give Northwestern the lead before halftime.

“Tonight we hung in there,” said Richardson. “These guys never gave up on themselves and we stayed positive the entire night, whether it was good, bad or ugly. That’s kind of been our season this year.”

Turning point

In a game full of huge plays and momentum twists and turns, none was bigger than the failed 2-point try.

Critical

Wisely, Northwestern’s offensive play-calling didn’t directly challenge South Pointe’s standout secondary, instead opting to throw into open pockets in front of the Stallion defensive backs.

And the Trojans – who had a decided advantage up front on both sides of the ball – were relentless running the ball with Howard and Moloney, the pair combining for 251 yards and three touchdowns. As important was limiting South Pointe's running game to just 36 yards on 29 carries, with sack yardage weighing down the Stallions' total considerably.

Star contributions

Obviously, Howard and Moloney played very well for the Trojans. But Richardson was quick to point out the contributions of three reserve offensive linemen that started in place of injured starters, and helped the visitors rush for 254 yards.

“To be able to move the football the way that we did, really proud of those guys,” said Northwestern’s coach.

Kendrick was again outstanding for the Stallions, catching three touchdown passes, none better than his grab over top of a Northwestern cornerback in the third quarter. Josh Wilkes was also outstanding for South Pointe, making six grabs for 127 yards and a touchdown, and showing why he’s a Division I college football receiver.

And one more local kid that keeps showing that too, Northwestern defensive end Logan Rudolph – and friends – hounded Ruff constantly, sacking him a number of times and not allowing the senior lefty time to pick apart the Trojans’ secondary.

Overheard

“We didn’t play well, but we played hard,” said Herron. “That’s the worse kind of loss. That hurts. Especially to them.”

On deck

South Pointe has a bye next week, then opens Region 3-3A play at Steve Taneyhill’s Union County in two weeks; Northwestern hosts Fort Mill in its Region 3-4A opener.

Box score

Northwestern 35, South Pointe 34 (OT)

NHS;7;14;0;7;7- 35

SPHS;13;0;8;7;6- 34

SCORING SUMMARY

First quarter

SPHS - Josh Wilkes 63 pass from Greg Ruff (B.T. Potter kick), 11:03

SPHS - Tony Cherry 28 pass from Ruff (kick failed), 6:56

NHS - Gage Moloney 2 run (Thomas Gettys kick), 3:32

Second quarter

NHS - Jerry Howard 49 run (Gettys kick), 11:51

NHS - Howard 7 pass from Moloney (Gettys kick), 1:57

Third quarter

SPHS - Derion Kendrick 36 pass from Ruff (Cherry 2-point catch), 2:12

Fourth quarter

NHS - Moloney 12 run (Gettys kick), 2:25

SPHS - Kendrick 33 pass from Ruff (Potter kick), 1:30

Overtime

NHS - Jordan Starkes 10 pass from Moloney (Gettys kick)

SPHS - Kendrick 10 pass from Ruff (2-point try failed)

TEAM STATISTICS

SPHS;NHS

First downs;17;28

Rushes-yards;29-36;44-254

Passing;19-22-0;24-32-1

Passing yards;387;241

Fumbles-lost;0-0;0-0

Penalties-yards;6-45;11-82

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING Northwestern: Jerry Howard 22-167; Gage Moloney 17-84; Dequez Harris 4-12; Thomas Gettys 1-(-9). South Pointe: Greg Ruff 13-(-1); Geomni Mayfield 2-13; Zaylin Burris 3-9; Voshon St. Hill 10-15; Derion Kendrick 1-0.

PASSING Northwestern: Moloney 24-32-1-2, 241 yards. South Pointe: Ruff 19-22-5-0, 387 yards.

RECEIVING Northwestern: Jordan Starkes 9-78; Jamario Holley 4-43; Julian Shockley 6-63; Howard 5-57. South Pointe: Josh Wilkes 6-127; Quay Brown 3-36; Tony Cherry 2-40; Lorenzo Wells 3-90; Chris Smith 2-15; Kendrick 3-79.

RECORDS Northwestern 4-1; South Pointe 4-1

This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 11:03 PM with the headline "Trojans beat South Pointe on last play for second straight year."