Week 11 high school football preview: video, game capsules, region standings

Gaffney (6-4, 4-1 in Region 3-4A) at No. 1 Northwestern (9-1, 5-0)

Last week: Gaffney beat Fort Mill 28-24; Northwestern beat Rock Hill 49-13

Last meeting: Gaffney won 38-21 (2014)

Key players: GHS - Sr. LB Lo Lo Dawkins, Sr. WR Scott McCluney, Jr. QB Bryson Ward. NHS - Jr. DB Ali Shockley, Jr. RB Jerry Howard, Sr. OL Demontre Buckson, Sr. DE Trae’von Hinton.

Need to know: Northwestern holds a 26-22 lead in a series that has been very even since it began in 1972. The 49th meeting between these two schools will decide the Region 3-4A title. Both defenses allow less than three yards per rushing attempt to opposing offenses and it’s hard to see either team finding a lot of luck moving the ball via the ground. Northwestern’s aerial attack is far superior to Gaffney’s, on both sides of the ball, and that kind of game would suit the Trojans just fine. Northwestern is also plus-12 in turnover margin, much better than Gaffney’s plus-two. If the Purple and Gold hold the football tight, they should be in for a good night.

York (7-3, 3-2 Region 3-4A) at Clover (1-9, 0-5)

Last week: York was idle; Clover lost to Nation Ford 56-21

Last meeting: York won 31-21 (2014)

Key players: YCHS - Jr. ATH Javione Matthews, Jr. OL Danny Warren, Sr. FB Brandon Garvin, Sr. WR Shandon Cobb. CHS - Sr. WB Cody Payne, Jr. DE A.J. Pennington, Sr. OL Gavin Jenkins.

Need to know: Clover won five straight from 2006 to 2010 in one of the state’s oldest high school football rivalries, but York has the opportunity to match that streak on Friday when it goes for a fifth straight. The Cougars haven’t lost to the Blue Eagles since Bobby Carroll showed up, and it would take a major upset for it to happen Friday night. The key for the home team is slowing down York’s run game. When the Cougars win, they rush for an average of 250 yards; when they lose, that figure drops to 90.

Rock Hill (2-8, 1-4 in Region 3-4A) at Nation Ford (6-4, 3-2)

Last week: Rock Hill lost to Northwestern 49-13; Nation Ford beat Clover 56-21

Last meeting: Rock Hill won 35-33 (2014)

Key players: RHHS - Sr. OL Josh Petrovich, Sr. DE Anthony Moye, Soph. RB Des Buchanan, Sr. LB Khari Hunter. NFHS - Sr. WR Josh Shade, Jr. LB Corbin Tesimale, Sr. LB/DL Jonathan Cox, Sr. LB/WR Jordan Helms.

Need to know: If Nation Ford and York win and Gaffney loses, all three teams will finish region play 4-2. The tiebreaker goes to the SCHSL’s 4A points system, which would see York grab second and Nation Ford third. Rock Hill will be a tough challenge for Nation Ford’s defense, especially up front. But only South Pointe has held the Falcon passing attack below 343 passing yards this season.

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 4:11 PM with the headline "Week 11 high school football preview: video, game capsules, region standings."