WHAT WE SAW: South Pointe Pulls Away From Gaffney
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Saturday night’s matchup between South Pointe and Gaffney was marked on the calendar since the schedules were released. Both teams are defending state champions in class 4A and 5A. For the Stallions, they got out to a huge lead with…
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Continue ReadingSaturday night’s matchup between South Pointe and Gaffney was marked on the calendar since the schedules were released. Both teams are defending state champions in class 4A and 5A. For the Stallions, they got out to a huge lead with some lulls in the second and fourth quarter before pulling away to a 47-26 win.
Malachi Marshall got the nod as starting quarterback for the Stallions and was efficient in getting the offense going in the quick game. Demari Kendrick played primarily on the outside and was effective in helping Marshall get going early. DJ Barksdale II DJ Barksdale II 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB South Pointe | 2023 State SC scored two touchdowns out of the wildcat formation to jump out to a 14-0 lead during the first half.
STRONG LINE PLAY
The offensive line for the Stallions opened up holes for Caleb Sims to run through as he ran with power and purpose on inside zone runs throughout the night. He even caught a pass on a tip in the first quarter.
“We’re fortunate. We got three to four offensive line coaches, I make five so they don’t have a prayer every day but we were fortunate the kids come out every day and work hard. I think it’s different in the water in Rock Hill in that the kids and attitudes and the way that they work. I think that’s the biggest difference,” South Pointe coach Bobby Collins said.
The defensive line was active, whether it was chasing Gaffney quarterback Grayson Loftis Grayson Loftis 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Gaffney | 2023 State SC down or stopping the run game. T’Narrious Rhinehart chased down the running back out of his line spot for a tackle for loss in the second quarter. Chris Dixon Chris Dixon 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL South Pointe | 2024 State SC recorded 2 sacks and 4 TFLs on the night and A.J. Miller made a play reminiscent of Jadeveon Clowney’s hit against Michigan in 2013 on one run play.
“We don’t block them in practice. I’m glad somebody else in the world has to deal with that for four quarters and not us. They work so hard,” Collins said.
WHERE THE GAME CHANGED
The first momentum swing in favor of the visitors from Cherokee County came before halftime following a 39-yard field goal from Jacob Brookfield and a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown from DJ Barksdale II DJ Barksdale II 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB South Pointe | 2023 State SC . Loftis picked up 17 yards, keeping a play alive on a scramble to his right capped off with Jaiden McDowell getting Gaffney on the board with a 4-yard TD run to cut South Pointe’s lead to 23-6 at the half.
The second half belonged mostly to South Pointe as Marshall went to the deep vertical pass game. He connected with Jay Sanders for a 45-yard TD reception where he showed great body concentration to elude the defender one-on-one, increasing the score to 30-6 with 8:43 in the third quarter. Jordan Curbeam got in on the action, making a diving catch for a touchdown in the fourth.
And then the second momentum swing occurred. Loftis tossed two scores, one to Devon Porter-Gist for 59 yards on a post route and the other to Jamarcus Smith Jamarcus Smith SC in the back of the end zone for 7 yards. Tre Smith would return a pick six back to the house to make the score 40-26 with 5:26 left which ended up being a 19-point swing.
The Stallions would end any Indian hope of a comeback with a 2-yard Sims touchdown run to cap off the night.