What to Watch For: Football City USA Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rock Hill long ago adopted the moniker “Football City USA” following a run of talent that ended up playing not only on Saturdays, but Sundays, as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tuesday's Football City USA Showcase at South Pointe, then, will expectedly be jammed with dudes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The event, which runs from 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m., will follow SCHSL offseason rules banning full joint sessions. However, the five teams in attendance - Northwestern, Catawba Rige, Indian Land, Rock Hill and South Pointe - will take turns in front of a bigger audience than they'd typically see in May. Best yet, each team has the types of players who can move the needle on this level and the next. It's why so many colleges are expected to be in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a breakdown of the five schools and what they're bringing to the table.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>EDITOR'S NOTE: Following inclement weather, the event has been moved to Fort Mill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/hastings_coach/status/1921961004532904032","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/hastings_coach/status/1921961004532904032 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>NORTHWESTERN TROJANS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top players:</strong> LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267200' first='Tamarion' last='Watkins']</strong> WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance']</strong> OL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1394980' first='Chris' last='Coleman']</strong> RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603697' first='Zymier' last='Gordon-Miles']</strong> DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1827578' first='Khalil' last='Williamson']</strong>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising star watch:</strong> Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149051' first='Kamerin' last='McFadden']</strong> is a member of the 21 mile-per-hour club already and is the team's top returning tackler after registering 54 stops last fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Biggest storyline:</strong> There was no question who was going to lead the Trojans' offense the last three years. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk']</strong> threw for a lot of yards and made this super spread work en route to a state title. Replacing him won't be easy, and while 2027 signal caller <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232624' first='Xavier' last='Means']</strong> doesn't have the job locked down, he's had a strong offseason and we're intrigued to see him in pads in this situation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>CATAWBA RIDGE COPPERHEADS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top players:</strong> WR [player_tooltip player_id='1592500' first='Darius' last='Sutton'] LB [player_tooltip player_id='1592496' first='Nolan' last='Jones'] DL [player_tooltip player_id='1270438' first='Connor' last='McFadden'] DL [player_tooltip player_id='1603727' first='Alex' last='Johnson'] ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1283361' first='Jaylon' last='Richardson'] ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1422524' first='Josh' last='Dobson']&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising star watch: </strong>Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1809182' first='Tyler' last='Gindoff']</strong> was third on the team in tackles last year with 75. He also had six tackles for loss, two sacks and a pick.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Biggest storylines:</strong> Much like Northwestern, Catawba Ridge will also be replacing its quarterback. Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824265' first='Will' last='Griggs']</strong> backed up <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1574007' first='CJ' last='Couch']</strong> last year and was 14-of-26 for 214 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He and 2028 <strong>Brady Compton</strong> have have been neck-and-neck during the spring&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>INDIAN LAND WARRIORS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top players:</strong> DL<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1592633' first='Michael' last='Foster']</strong> DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395038' first='Brysen' last='Conner']</strong> RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592288' first='Jamol' last='Horton']</strong> LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1550509' first='CJ' last='Petri']</strong> LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592557' first='Michael' last='Johnson']</strong> ATH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036748' first='Sequel' last='Patterson']</strong> LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422617' first='Jackson' last='Conner']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising star watch:</strong> 2028 quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467825' first='Matt' last='Kucia']</strong> threw for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns last year as a freshman. But how he develops in terms of accuracy could be the key to a massive turnaround.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Biggest storylines: </strong>For all the star power at the skill positions Indian Land has, the story of 2025 likely starts with the offensive line. Guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819987' first='Jackson' last='Wian']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639806' first='Curtis' last='Sullivan']</strong> have been charged with getting a partially inexperienced unit up to speed in a hurry. If the offensive line even looks respectable against the Warriors' defense front seven, that's saying something.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>ROCK HILL BEARCATS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top players: QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592521' first='Kason' last='Canupp']</strong> LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1635381' first='Kaleb' last='Wright']</strong> DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1088328' first='Nigel' last='Lightner']</strong> LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='618765' first='Katarius' last='Gill'] </strong>(pictured) OL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823451' first='Tripp' last='Pittman']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising star watch:</strong> 2027 DL/OL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1809198' first='Jasiah' last='Lewis']</strong> (6-foot, 210 pounds) could find himself in a nice role under the new leadership. He can play end or a traditional outside backer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Biggest storylines:</strong> After losing the vast majority of its receiving production from last year, re-stocking the position will be among the first big tasks for incoming coach Leon Boulware. Players like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1676087' first='Kamron' last='Wilson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823375' first='Max' last='Sharp']</strong> are going to be asked to grow up in a hurry. Because Boulware is going to want to throw and then throw some more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>SOUTH POINTE STALLIONS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top players: OL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165103' first='Anthony' last='Baxter']</strong> LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1271263' first='KJ' last='Burg']</strong> LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594865' first='Brysen' last='Ginn']</strong> ATH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212416' first='J'Zavien' last='Currence']</strong> QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473002' first='Cameron' last='McMillon']</strong> DL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1591712' first='Seth' last='Tillman']</strong>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rising star watch:</strong> 2027 RB <strong>Tyquan Bryce</strong> has already got a nice mix of speed and power. He'll get some chances to shine in the coming months as others sneak their breathers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Biggest storylines:</strong> No matter where the Stallions go in 2025, they're going to attract a crowd. This showcase will be no different. Players like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1476906' first='Kadin' last='Vassel']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036779' first='Kaiden' last='Watkins']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='930586' first='Dailan' last='Duncan']</strong> will have few chances to impress between now and August, and earning high-mark playing time might rely on maximizing on chunk plays on offense and special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->