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Northwestern beats South Pointe in meeting of top SC high school football rivals

shane connuck
·3 min read

Northwestern football made a statement.

In the annual showdown of cross-town rivals, the Trojans took the first punch early and held off South Pointe in a 28-14 victory on Friday night at District Three South Stadium.

The host Stallions held their own and gave themselves several chances to score late.

But Northwestern’s defense backed up stellar play from senior quarterback Finley Polk, and the Trojans were victorious in the matchup of South Carolina powers.

Northwestern’s Finley Polk captures the ball Friday as the Trojans competed with the South Pointe Stallions in Rock Hill.
Northwestern’s Finley Polk captures the ball Friday as the Trojans competed with the South Pointe Stallions in Rock Hill.

“We just had guys making plays all over,” Polk said. “We ran the ball. Offensive line was working great, they were doing their job the whole time. We missed a couple of things — obviously, we weren’t perfect, we gotta get better — but it was a good day.”

Polk, who will play at Gardner-Webb University, threw for all three of the Trojans’ (4-0) touchdowns.

Senior kicker Matthew Fish drilled a pair of field goals — and Polk found senior receiver Jayden Nichols for a two-point conversion. South Pointe (2-2) found the end zone twice during the second half.

Scoring drives resulting in touchdowns from senior running back Mason Hicks and senior receiver Caymen Finch allowed it to pull within a touchdown, but Northwestern’s defense kept the Stallions off the board in the fourth quarter.

Northwestern’s Tadarrian Knox (7) is brought down by South Pointe’s Jaden Barnette, middle, and Brysen Ginn.
Northwestern’s Tadarrian Knox (7) is brought down by South Pointe’s Jaden Barnette, middle, and Brysen Ginn.

“We came out in the first half and did a really good job,” Northwestern head coach Page Wofford said. “We made them get out of their game plan early, and we were able to move the ball on offense and defense. Shut them out in the first half, and in the end, we needed to do it.”

Notable

▪ Friday night’s game for the Rock Hill city championship marked the 21st all-time meeting between the cross-town rivals — and the sides entered Friday owning 10 wins apiece.

▪ Northwestern, which is ranked No. 2 in The Charlotte Observer’s latest Sweet 16 football poll, remains undefeated, and gains the upperhand in its rivalry with the Stallions.

▪ Seventh-ranked South Pointe came into Friday having outscored its opponents 112-3 over the past two weeks since falling to Spartanburg, 26-25, in its season opener.

They said it

“This shows where our program is. It’s the third year in a row we’ve beaten them. Our program is on the rise, and we keep getting better. And so, you know, as Coach (Dabo) Swinney says at Clemson: ‘The best is yet to come.’ And I hope I’m here for it.” — Northwestern head coach Page Wofford

Up next?

South Pointe remains home for the next two weeks, starting with a game against the A.C. Flora Falcons of Columbia at 7:30 p.m. next Friday.Northwestern returns to its home field to face Nation Ford at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Scoring summary

Northwestern 7 14 0 7 — 28

South Pointe 0 0 14 0 — 14

FIRST QUARTERN: Zymier Gordon-Miles caught an 18-yard touchdown reception.

SECOND QUARTER

N: Matthew Fish 28-yard field goal

N: Matthew Fish 36-yard field goal

N: Kameron Vance touchdown catch + Jayden Nichols two-point conversion

THIRD QUARTER

S: Mason Hicks rushing touchdownS: Caymen Finch hauls in a receiving touchdown

FOURTH QUARTERN: Jayden Nichols 23-yard touchdown reception

Northwestern’s C.J. Broughton (13) tries to keep South Pointe’s Zahyden Ratliff, left, as Jonathan Spurgeon (12). carries the ball. South Pointe’s Ethan Mick (39) runs nearby.
Northwestern’s C.J. Broughton (13) tries to keep South Pointe’s Zahyden Ratliff, left, as Jonathan Spurgeon (12). carries the ball. South Pointe’s Ethan Mick (39) runs nearby.
South Pointe’s J’zavien Currence (0) and Kamerin Mcfadden (33) compete for the ball.
South Pointe’s J’zavien Currence (0) and Kamerin Mcfadden (33) compete for the ball.
Northwestern’s Kameron Vance (3) is brought down by South Pointe’s Brysen Ginn, left, and Dequan Evans.
Northwestern’s Kameron Vance (3) is brought down by South Pointe’s Brysen Ginn, left, and Dequan Evans.
Northwestern’s Finley Polk tries to keep South Pointe’s Dequan Evans away Friday as the Stallions and Trojans compete in Rock Hill.
Northwestern’s Finley Polk tries to keep South Pointe’s Dequan Evans away Friday as the Stallions and Trojans compete in Rock Hill.
Northwestern’s C.J. Broughton (13) tries to keep South Pointe’s Zahyden Ratliff (29) away from Jonathan Spurgeon (12).
Northwestern’s C.J. Broughton (13) tries to keep South Pointe’s Zahyden Ratliff (29) away from Jonathan Spurgeon (12).
Northwestern’s Finley Polk captures the ball Friday as the Trojans competed with the South Pointe Stallions in Rock Hill.
Northwestern’s Finley Polk captures the ball Friday as the Trojans competed with the South Pointe Stallions in Rock Hill.
Northwestern quarterback Finley Polk looks for an opening Friday as the Trojans compete with the South Pointe Stallions in Rock Hill.
Northwestern quarterback Finley Polk looks for an opening Friday as the Trojans compete with the South Pointe Stallions in Rock Hill.
Northwestern’s Finley Polk is tackled by South Pointe’s Zy’quavious Pickett Friday as the Trojans take on the Stallions in Rock Hill.
Northwestern’s Finley Polk is tackled by South Pointe’s Zy’quavious Pickett Friday as the Trojans take on the Stallions in Rock Hill.
Northwestern’s Finley Polk carries the ball away from South Pointe’s Aakil Brown Friday as the Trojans take on the Stallions in Rock Hill.
Northwestern’s Finley Polk carries the ball away from South Pointe’s Aakil Brown Friday as the Trojans take on the Stallions in Rock Hill.
Northwestern’s Zymier Gordon-Miles (8) is tackled by South Pointe’s Dequan Evans Friday as the Trojans and Stallions compete in Rock Hill.
Northwestern’s Zymier Gordon-Miles (8) is tackled by South Pointe’s Dequan Evans Friday as the Trojans and Stallions compete in Rock Hill.
Northwestern’s Zymier Gordon-Miles (8) tries to avoid South Pointe’s Dequan Evans Friday as the Trojans and Stallions compete in Rock Hill.
Northwestern’s Zymier Gordon-Miles (8) tries to avoid South Pointe’s Dequan Evans Friday as the Trojans and Stallions compete in Rock Hill.
Northwestern’s Tadarrian Knox (7) is brought down by South Pointe’s Jaden Barnette, middle, and Brysen Ginn.
Northwestern’s Tadarrian Knox (7) is brought down by South Pointe’s Jaden Barnette, middle, and Brysen Ginn.
South Pointe’s Sean Young misses the ball Friday as the Stallions compete with the Northwestern Trojans in Rock Hill.
South Pointe’s Sean Young misses the ball Friday as the Stallions compete with the Northwestern Trojans in Rock Hill.