High school football notes: Northwestern new No. 1 in 4A state rankings

After Spartanburg’s shock loss to Boiling Springs last Friday, Northwestern ascended into the top spot in the 4A state rankings on Tuesday. The Trojans handled their business against Clover with a 63-0 win, Northwestern’s seventh straight victory. Tuesday’s poll is the first in which Northwestern is ranked No. 1 since the 2013 state title season. The Trojans began last season at No. 2 before falling out of the rankings with two losses.

There was otherwise little movement. South Pointe stayed put at No. 2, while Lancaster dropped one spot to No. 9 after a close loss to the Stallions. York is again receiving votes in the 4A poll following a crucial win over Nation Ford.

S.C. Prep Media Football Poll -- Week 9

4A

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

Others receiving votes: Westwood, York, Gaffney

3A

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

Others receiving votes: Union County, Southside, Hanahan, Marlboro County, Beaufort, Georgetown

2A

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

Others receiving votes: Saluda, Chesterfield, Pendleton, Central

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

North-South announcement early next week

The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl - formerly known as the North-South all-star game - will announce its rosters Monday, Oct. 26, with a bit of a twist. Because of the South Carolina High School League’s correct decision to extend the season one week to help schools hammered by recent flooding, the state championship games will now be held Dec. 13, the same day as the North-South game.

The two teams - Great Falls’ Kenneth Schofield is head coach of the North - are picking their normal allotment of players but also stand-by players in the event that some of the kids chosen will be playing in state title games that week, instead of heading down to Myrtle Beach.

Recruiting update

South Pointe senior Nick McCloud and Northwestern junior Logan Rudolph continue to rake in college scholarship offers.

McCloud picked up offers from Vanderbilt and West Virginia over the last week. He unofficially visited North Carolina on Saturday. McCloud, a 6-foot-3 cornerback with four interceptions so far this fall, has 19 total offers to sort through at the moment. Those include smaller schools as well as N.C. State, Kansas State, Northwestern, Marshall, East Carolina, Appalachian State and a number of other mid-majors. He mentioned Tuesday that he thought he’d already have committed to a school by this point, but late offers from big schools were making him hesitate.

After an offer from Michigan, Rudolph went and visited the campus last in Ann Arbor last weekend. After the Wolverines pulled the trigger, Rudolph scored offers from Oklahoma State - where his brother Mason plays quarterback -, North Carolina - where his father Brett played linebacker in the 1980s - and N.C. State. Rudolph added those to a pile that already includes Kentucky, East Carolina, Charlotte and Appalachian State. He’s got eight sacks this season.

Tri-County Coaches awards from Week 8

4A schools

Offensive player of the week: Gage Moloney, Northwestern – The junior QB completed 23-of-27 passes against Clover for 327 yards and three touchdowns, and also ran for two more scores in the win.

Defensive player: Ke’trael Lytle, York – Lytle made nine total tackles with two key third down stops and a pass break-up during the Cougars’ win over Nation Ford.

Offensive lineman: Sean Victor, York – Victor graded out 91 percent with eight knock downs during York’s region win over Nation Ford.

Defensive lineman: Joe Gill, York – The senior defensive tackle made 10 tackles, including two for a loss, two sacks and key third and fourth down stops for the Cougars against Nation Ford.

Special teams: Taylor Sheets, Fort Mill – The senior kicker hit a pair of field goals for 26 and 41 yards , hit five kickoffs for touchbacks, and made both of his extra-point attempts.

1A, 2A, 3A schools

Offensive player of the week: Austin Gordon, Indian Land – The senior two-way player ran the ball 32 times for 150 yards and three touchdowns during Indian Land’s win over North Central.

Defensive player: Dre Johnson, Chester – The senior linebacker made 28 total tackles during the Cyclones’ win over run-heavy Broome last Friday. Johnson had 19 solo stops and also recovered a pair of fumbles.

Offensive lineman: Dakota Brigman, Indian Land – The senior made three pancake blocks and graded out 84 percent against North Central.

Defensive lineman: Austin Gordon, Indian Land – Gordon pulled off the rare double award win after making six tackles – with three for a loss – a sack and a fumble recovery, in addition to his big game rushing.

Special teams: Malik Williams, Chester – The Cyclones’ junior QB contributed on special teams during their win over Broome with two long punt returns, including a crucial 57-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter that tied the game.

This story was originally published October 20, 2015 at 7:16 PM with the headline "High school football notes: Northwestern new No. 1 in 4A state rankings."