What We Saw: Indian Land defeats Nation Ford in opening thriller
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Wide receiver/defensive back Drew Hardin Drew Hardin 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Indian Land | 2022 State SC (@drew_hardin13) (pictured above wearing number 16) made a diving catch in the back of the end zone with defenders draped all…
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Continue ReadingWide receiver/defensive back Drew Hardin Drew Hardin 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Indian Land | 2022 State SC (@drew_hardin13) (pictured above wearing number 16) made a diving catch in the back of the end zone with defenders draped all over him in the final minute of the contest to give Indian Land a 34-27 win in a thriller in the opening night of SC high school football.
“Drew’s the player that you want every player to be. He does not miss a workout. He’s a team captain, he’s a leader on and off the field. He doesn’t want to come off the field,” Indian Land coach Adam Hastings said.
Let’s get into the notes and other observations from Friday contest:
Indian Land senior quarterback Blake Goode (@BlakeGoode14) did a solid job of managing the offense.
We counted at least three throws that may have been touchdowns if not for drops and being just off with the timing, which is to be expected with the first game. Goode was effective in the screen game throughout the night getting the ball to junior wide receivers Jaden Peoples (who also is listed at DB) (@JadenPeoples_4) and Myles Stinson (@MylesStinson1) who both didn’t waste time once catching the ball in space.
Indian Land’s plan was to run the ball with a lot of inside zone, and they did that well. Senior offensive lineman and Elon commit Ahmarion McLeod (@AhmarionM) and the Warrior offensive line opened up huge holes in the run game with pull blocks throughout the night. Indian Land sophomore running back Jaden Singletary Jaden Singletary 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Indian Land | 2024 State SC (@JadenSingletar6) ran hard in between the tackles as he was hard to bring down after the first contact. No other run was more important than the 23-yard TD run to tie the game at 20 in the fourth quarter.
Where the game changed
Nation Ford was able to score 20 unanswered points in a wild third quarter, which included back-to-back fumbles on the kickoff. They led 20-13 at one point after trailing 13-0.
After a slow start in the first half, Nation Ford Jr. QB Carson Black Carson Black 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Nation Ford | 2023 State SC (@CarsonBlack16) found his rhythm in the second half with WR Quadeir Hand (@Quadeir3) on two touchdowns, one on a textbook back corner throw. He put the ball where it needed to be.
Indian Land went back to the run game and had a long drive to go tie the game after the crazy sequence.
Additional notes and observations
- Nation Ford Sr. RB Eli Whitner (@EliWhitner) was effective in the inside run game as he helped the Falcons get back in the game. Every time he got into the open field, he ran with a purpose and knew when to turn on the burners to make people miss.
- Nation Ford Sr. S/OLB/CB Chase Gerber (@chasegerber2) had a pass breakup on the first play of the game and made an impact with one gang tackle that we saw down near the goal line.
- Nation Ford Jr. LB Jadon Washington’s play recognition was impressive to watch on screens.
- Indian Land LB Foster Lambert (@FosterLambert2) had a pick six of Nation Ford QB Carson Black Carson Black 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Nation Ford | 2023 State SC in the second quarter to put Indian Land up 13-0 with 3:03 to play before the half in a play that changed momentum for the Warriors.
- Black connected with wide receiver Kenan Bowman (@kenan_bowman) on 4th and 7 gamble for a touchdown on a beautifully executed fade route to take the lead with 6:17 to play in the fourth quarter.
Up next: Nation Ford hosts Catawba Ridge while Indian Land travels to Northwestern.