High school football notes: South Pointe refocused after bye week

Strait Herron pinpointed last week as the perfect time for a bye when putting together South Pointe’s schedule two years ago, and for good reason.

Coming off the emotional cliff of the Northwestern game, especially distressing for South Pointe the past two years, the bye week has again served as a valuable halftime in the season ahead of Region 3-3A football.

“Playing seven 4A teams leading up – talking about the scrimmages plus the preseason – that’s one of the reasons I did that because I knew we’d have this week to kind of recoup,” said Herron on Tuesday, his team practicing in the school’s gym in part to spare the soggy practice field. “It’s been a long two weeks. We’re just ready to get back on the field.”

South Pointe coaches didn’t talk about the Northwestern loss – a missed 2-point conversion in overtime sent the Stallions to a 35-34 defeat on Sept. 18 – for a week. On Monday, at the urging of receivers coach Welvin Simpkins, the Stallions got it out on the table, put the disappointment to bed for good, and looked forward.

“Now it’s done. We’re not worried about it,” said Herron. “We’re where we need to be.”

The part of the season that truly matters begins Friday. South Pointe travels to Union County (1-4) for the region opener against Steve Taneyhill’s Yellow Jackets. Their skill position group – featuring UNC commitment Roscoe Johnson and standout junior Shi Smith, an SEC/ACC-level recruit – might be one of the few in the state that can match South Pointe’s talent.

Union County’s record isn’t pretty, but losses to Newberry, Greer and Gaffney are nothing to dismiss. It’s part of a weekly challenge for South Pointe, which likely will be the favorite in any game it plays the rest of the season.

The Yellow Jackets’ 1-4 mark “hurts us because our guys are thinking, ‘Coach, they ain’t won but one game,’ and the team they beat is a 2A team,” said Herron. “These teams are scary because (what) if they come out and have night (or) it’s their night and their on? That’s where it could be trouble.”

Biggest win ever for Nation Ford?

Quick answer: Nation Ford’s win over Gaffney last Friday probably wasn’t the biggest in the Falcons’ short football history.

“Going to Gaffney and winning at Gaffney is usually a rare moment,” said Falcons coach Michael Allen. “I would think that one ranks up there. It was one we needed to win in the current progression we’re in.”

Nation Ford had a 28-14 lead when a couple of plays in 17 seconds spun in Gaffney’s favor. A 40-yard touchdown run by Gaffney QB Bryson Ward and an interception return for a touchdown sliced Nation Ford’s lead to 28-26. But two Falcons scoring drives in the fourth quarter, a defensive safety and Ben Tuipulotu interception – one of three in the game for Nation Ford – put the game on ice for the visitors.

“Our kids just responded the way they’re supposed to respond, and put together a drive, drove it right down the field,” said Allen. “It’s like they were not even looking at the scoreboard. All they were thinking about was play as hard as you can play and get the W. They just played through it; it wasn’t like they ever thought they were gonna lose.”

The victory was Nation Ford’s fourth straight and sends the Falcons into their bye week feeling good.

“We’re going in with a lot of energy and healthy as well. No major injuries,” said Allen on Tuesday. “We just kind of get back to the basics and hit the weight room harder. Try to let their bodies recover a little bit, and then beginning of next week, start getting ready for Fort Mill.”

Shrine Bowl announcement Monday

The Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas squads will be announced Monday, Oct. 5 at noon. The longest running high school all-star football game in the country is broadcasting the selection show live at www.shrine-bowl.com; 44 players will be chosen for both the North Carolina and South Carolina squads.

More than 400 players were nominated for the 79th edition of the all-star game, which will be played Saturday, Dec. 19 at Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg.

Byrnes vs. Spartanburg Friday

The biggest game in the state this coming week is in Duncan, where the Byrnes Rebels will host the reigning 4A Division II state champ, rival Spartanburg.

All the talk surrounding Spartanburg tends to center on Clemson commitment Tavien Feaster, but Vikings receiver Tavaris Scott also is having an impact on Chris Miller’s offense, with 40 catches for nearly 700 yards and 10 TDs in just five contests.

The Spartanburg defense is generally overlooked but has 22 sacks and nine interceptions on the season and. It will be challenged by Byrnes, especially by the Rebels’ long, lean receiving corps that made Northwestern pay for loose tackling in the season opener. Byrnes also has recent history on its side: Brian Lane’s program has beaten Spartanburg in 14 straight meetings.

Tri-County Coaches’ Awards from Week 5

4A schools

Offensive player of the week: Gage Moloney, Northwestern, junior quarterback – Completed 28-of-35 passes for 431 yards and five touchdowns in the Trojans’ 56-6 win over Fort Mill. Moloney only played the first three quarters.

Offensive lineman: Jonathan Scott, Nation Ford – Graded out 90 percent during the Falcons’ 42-26 win over Gaffney.

Defensive lineman: Jonathan Cox, Nation Ford – Made 15 tackles with one for a loss during Nation Ford’s win at Gaffney.

Defensive player: Donavon Perryman, Rock Hill – Senior linebacker was all over the place against York, making 15 tackles, a sack and forcing a fumble during the Bearcats’ loss.

Special teams: Myles Prosser, York – Hit five punts for a 37-yard average with two kicks downed inside the 20. Prosser also made all three of his point-after tries and was 3-for-6 on kickoffs for touchbacks against Rock Hill.

1A, 2A, 3A schools

Offensive player of the week: Austin Gordon, Indian Land – Senior fullback ran the ball 22 times for 123 yards and a touchdown during Indian Land’s loss to Chesterfield.

Offensive lineman: Graham Banks, Lancaster – Senior graded out 88 percent and gave up no sacks during the Bruins’ win over Lewisville.

Defensive lineman: N/A

Defensive player: Demonte Bell, Lancaster – Senior safety made nine tackles, with three for a loss, and also forced a fumble against Lewisville.

Special teams: Lee Massey, Indian Land – Junior tailback returned a pair of kicks for touchdowns against Chesterfield. He had an 80-yard kickoff return for a score as well as a 25-yard punt return for a TD.

Lancaster continues to climb state rankings

Lancaster bumped up to No. 8 in this week’s S.C. Prep Media poll. Northwestern, tied for fourth in 4A last week, dropped down to No. 5, though the reason why isn’t clear. South Pointe held steady at No. 2 in 3A, while York is No. 7 headed into its matchup with Northwestern.

4A: 1. Spartanburg; 2. Byrnes; 3. Hillcrest; 4. Fort Dorchester; 5. Northwestern; 6. Westside; 7. York; 8. Dorman; 9. Lexington; 10. Ashley Ridge

Others receiving votes: Westwood, Dutch Fork, Conway

3A: 1. Hartsville; 2. South Pointe; 3. Greer; 4. Seneca; 5. Chapin; 6. Belton-Honea Path; 7. Airport; 8. Lancaster; 9. Hilton Head Island; 10. Myrtle Beach

Others receiving votes: Union County, Lake City, Marlboro County, Georgetown, Wilson, Southside, Eastside, Hanahan

2A: 1. Dillon; 2. Batesburg-Leesville; 3. Newberry; 4. Abbeville; 5. Strom Thurmond; 6. Lake Marion; 7. Woodruff; 8. Timberland; 9. Fairfield Central; 10. Saluda

Others receiving votes: Pendleton, Chesterfield, Andrews

1A: 1. McBee; 2. Bamberg-Ehrhardt; 3. Christ Church; 4. Allendale-Fairfax; 5. Calhoun County; 6. Lamar; 7. Lake View; 8. Cross; 9. Williston-Elko; T10. Southside Christian; T10. C.E. Murray

Others receiving votes: Whitmire, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler, Estill, Ridge Spring-Monetta

This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 6:32 PM with the headline "High school football notes: South Pointe refocused after bye week."