Week 0 York County Games To Watch
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Can you believe it? The first week of the 2022 high school football season in York County is here and we’ve got four games that are all intriguing and should be exciting openers to see what each team has been…
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Continue ReadingCan you believe it? The first week of the 2022 high school football season in York County is here and we’ve got four games that are all intriguing and should be exciting openers to see what each team has been working on and perfecting throughout 7on7s, summer workouts and preseason scrimmages. Now the lights are on for real.
Rankings reflect the SC Statewide Media Poll, which is updated weekly.
Friday, August 19
Catawba Ridge at Fort Mill
Fort Mill is putting in a new offense with Isaiah Haynes at quarterback and he’ll have Jason Moran, Van and Max Piercy at wide receiver. The question will be who will step up in the trenches to replace the production they lost last year? And who will take the lead at running back?
Catawba Ridge returns quarterback Nate Thomas with presumed starter Tyler Jones Tyler Jones 5'11" | 225 lbs | RB Catawba Ridge | 2023 State SC (pictured above) at running back. The question will be who will step up at wide receiver as they only returned one starter. Brody Teismale will make his 2022 debut for the Copperheads defense after missing the 2021 season.
Indian Land at Nation Ford
Carson Black Carson Black 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Nation Ford | 2023 State SC returns for his senior season and he and the Falcons will be looking for revenge from last year’s season opening loss in this game. There will be a lot of speed on Nation Ford’s offense with Jeremiah Hailstock at running back and Ja’Derrick Foster and Kenan Bowman at wide receiver.
For the Warriors, they’ll need to get pressure on Black with their defensive line with guys like Malachi Jefferson Malachi Jefferson 5'10" | 250 lbs | DL James Island | 2025 State SC and Wilkenson Mondesir. Jaden Singletary Jaden Singletary 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Indian Land | 2024 State SC will be a focal point in the Warrior run game Friday night, which will look to keep the explosive Falcon offense off the field.
Rock Hill at No. 2 Northwestern
This cross-town rivalry is normally reserved for the end of the year, but with the recent realignment, this game is now the opener. This game is intriguing because the Trojans quarterback Finley Polk Finley Polk 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Northwestern | 2025 State SC takes over for Will Mattison but there is known talent, like Elijah Caldwell Elijah Caldwell 6'1" | 190 lbs | WR Northwestern | 2023 State SC at receiver and Jordan Knox Jordan Knox 6'4" | 295 lbs | OL Northwestern | 2023 State SC on the offensive line but one question that will need to be answered will be who will step up on the defensive side of the ball for the Trojans?
For Rock Hill, they are putting in a new offensive and defensive scheme. Matthew Wilson Matthew Wilson 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB Rock Hill | 2024 State SC and Brandon Watson will be two guys to watch on offense. Whoever can get the run game going will have the edge on this one.
BYE WEEK: Clover and York
Saturday, August 20
5A No. 1 Gaffney at 4A No. 1 South Pointe (at District 3 Stadium in Rock Hill)
This is the most anticipated game in the state for Week 0. It’s the defending 4A state champions against the defending 5A state champions. Grayson Loftis Grayson Loftis 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Gaffney | 2023 State SC returns for his senior season and will lead the Indian offense. Indians LB Brayshawn Littlejohn Brayshawn Littlejohn 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Gaffney | 2023 State SC committed to the University of Missouri last Saturday and will be looking to get things started off with a bang. Keep an eye on Kaliber Hoey on defense and Edward Jefferies at wide receiver for the Indians.
For South Pointe, Malachi Marshall, Khyre Rawlinson Khyre Rawlinson 5'5" | 135 lbs | WR South Pointe | 2023 State SC and Caleb Sims will anchor an offense that should put up points if they avoid the turnovers that plagued them in last week’s scrimmage against Olympic. Keep an eye on A.J. Miller on defense for the Stallions as well.