High school football notes: Rock Hill defenders’ big games recognized by Tri-County coaches group

Tri-County Players of the Week from Week 7

4A schools

Offensive player of the week: Cole Martin, Nation Ford- senior QB completed 24-of-35 passes for 396 yards and five touchdowns in the Falcons’ win over Fort Mill.

Co-defensive players: Khari Hunter, Rock Hill, and Vinnie Catan, Nation Ford- Hunter made 15 tackles - 14 of them solo efforts - and two tackles-for-loss during the Bearcats’ win over Clover. Catan recorded 14 tackles, one tackle-for-loss, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception during the Falcons’ win over rival Fort Mill.

Offensive lineman: Andy Stock, Nation Ford- Stock graded 92 percent during the Falcons’ win last Friday.

Defensive lineman: Alan Salgado, Rock Hill- senior defensive lineman had another big game against Clover, making 21 total tackles, with 15 solos and two for a loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Special teams: Lexi Dressing, Nation Ford- kicker hit all three extra point attempts and also a 22-yard field goal against Fort Mill.

1A, 2A, 3A schools

Offensive player of the week: Heath Gandy, Andrew Jackson- Gandy ran the ball 13 times for 79 yards and two touchdowns, and also caught three passes for 59 yards and another score for the Vols.

Defensive player: C.D. Catoe, Lancaster- made six tackles, forced a fumble and picked off a pass during the Bruins’ win over Clinton.

Co-offensive linemen: Caleb Funderburk, Lancaster, and Dalton McKittrick, Andrew Jackson- Funderburk and McKittrick both graded out 90 percent with three pancake blocks during their respective teams’ wins last Friday.

Defensive lineman: Keilan Renegar, Lewisville- made 11 total tackles, three tackles-for-loss, a sack and a forced fumble during the Lions’ loss to Lamar.

Special teams: Jesse Branham, Lewisville- punter averaged 35.5 yards on five kicks, with a long of 55, during the game against Lamar.

National rankings

Even without playing last week, Northwestern inched up to No. 88 in MaxPreps’ national high school football composite rankings. Spartanburg is No. 11, and Byrnes is 72nd. The Trojans are also ranked in the web site’s South Region poll, checking in at No. 24. Spartanburg is No. 4 in that one, which includes teams from Texas to West Virginia.

State rankings

South Pointe and Lancaster remain in the top-10 in the 3A state rankings ahead of the two teams’ Region 3-3A clash on Friday in Rock Hill. Both teams won last week, South Pointe dismantling Chester and Lancaster holding off Clinton on the road.

York’s second straight loss dumped the Cougars out of the 4A top-10, though Bobby Carroll’s club still received at least one vote. Northwestern stays at No. 2 after a bye week. The Trojans are back in action Friday against Clover, while York takes on Nation Ford, winners of five straight games.

S.C. Prep Media Football Poll -- Week 8

4A

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

Others receiving votes: York, Dutch Fork, Westwood, Blythewood

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: Georgetown, Union County, Chapman

2A

1. Dillon; T2. Strom Thurmond; T2. Batesburg-Leesville; 4. Abbeville; 5. Lake Marion; 6. Fairfield Central; 7. Newberry; 8. Woodruff; 9. Timberland; 10. Chesterfield

Others receiving votes: Pendleton, Andrews, Saluda

1A

1. McBee; 2. Bamberg-Ehrhardt; 3. Calhoun County; 4. Allendale-Fairfax; 5. Lake View; 6. Southside Christian; 7. Christ Church; 8. Cross; 9. Lamar; 10. Williston-Elko

Others receiving votes: C.E. Murray, Estill

This story was originally published October 13, 2015 at 5:18 PM with the headline "High school football notes: Rock Hill defenders’ big games recognized by Tri-County coaches group."