York, Nation Ford meet in playoff rematch

Nation Ford

Lessons from regular season loss to York

York (8-3) took control of the two teams’ regular season meeting with 21 unanswered points in the third quarter, thanks in part to a pair of costly turnovers by Nation Ford (7-4). An interception by Zion McClinton got York down to the 1-yard line and they scored shortly thereafter, before the Falcons fumbled at the end of a lengthy kickoff return to give the ball right back to the Cougars.

There were plenty of lessons for the Falcons and their coaching staff to take away from the 42-28 Oct. 16 loss.

“They out-played us,” said Nation Ford coach Michael Allen. “We made a lot of mistakes and penalties and we didn’t execute. They executed better than us and it really came to fruition in that third quarter.”

Playing a familiar foe

There are advantages in playing a region opponent in the playoff, especially knowing tendencies and personnel. Allen hopes that will help his team get certain matchups it can exploit.

“It helps in one way and in another way you’d like to see somebody that you haven’t before,” said Allen. “As far as travel goes, it’s better to go to York than Conway.”

Stopping York’s run game

York ran over the Falcons in the first meeting this season, piling up north of 350 yards on the ground with quarterback Wally Wilmore and running backs Tyquan McCray and Brandon Garvin all topping 100 yards rushing. Wilmore had three touchdowns, including two in the decisive third quarter. As Allen said, the Cougars “put a lot of stress on your defense,” and the Nation Ford defensive line, led by senior sack-machine Charlie Newton will need to step forward.

“Their offensive line is extremely good,” Allen said. “I really believe they’re one of the best, if not the best, offensive line that we’ve faced. They’re big, they’re talented, they’re strong and they execute well up front.”

Trip to the Shriner’s Hospital

With an extra week off, Allen took his team on a field trip last week to the Shriner’s Hospital in Greenville. Allen said it was part of an effort for the team to “just hang out together, draw closer,” without football being directly involved.

“It was cool,” said Nation Ford senior Colby Ridge. “It made me personally stop and kind of think about things a little more, be a little more grateful. Being able to play sports, go to school, and not being in the hospital. Just being more appreciative.”

York

Playing a team York already beat

When York beat Nation Ford in October, the Falcons were on a five-game winning streak and scoring points for fun. The Cougars’ win snapped their own two-game losing streak and set them up for a strong finish to the regular season. That said, don’t think that Carroll wanted to see Nation Ford - especially receiver Hank Tuipulotu, who caught 10 balls for over 200 yards and two touchdowns against York - again.

“It’s no fun having to play the same people; you’d always like to play new people,” said Carroll. “Coach (Michael) Allen has a great football team and I’m sure they’ll come over here motivated from us winning last time.”

Wally Wilmore’s hamstring

Wilmore, York’s standout junior quarterback, tweaked his hamstring before the 2015 season started and he’s dealt with the issue off an on this season. He aggravated it again in the season finale against Clover, leaving the second half of a game that was already pretty well decided. Wilmore said three straight days of cold and ice, followed by heat and deep tissue kneading has him feeling better.

Wilmore, who has been all over the country (Purdue, Virginia Tech, North Carolina) in recent weeks on recruiting trips, has over 300 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground in the last three ballgames. The week off certainly came at a good time for him.

“He’s good to go,” said Carroll.

Strength of the run game

York isn’t as dual threat offensively as it was last season, but the Cougars are a very good running team. They’ve averaged 204 yards rushing per game, and in the last three games - all wins - York has posted 364, 300 and 209 yards on the ground.

With an offensive line led by seniors Ryan Enniss and Caleb Clayton, and junior Danny Warren, York is making holes for its capable runners, especially Wilmore.

“We based our offense a lot on the run this year, I guess with me at quarterback,” he said. “We’ll be looking to run the ball.”

Bowling trip Thursday

York players and coaches went bowling Thursday night, a treat courtesy of the program’s Touchdown Club. Carroll isn’t much of a bowler; he’d rather be bass fishing.

“It’s just a team-building activity,” he said. “You lift weights from the team you get beat or win the last one until the time you play the next one. Then you work all summer in the heat and the sweat, just work, work, work, work. It’s just a fun night.”

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 7:03 PM with the headline "York, Nation Ford meet in playoff rematch."