Rock Hill Gears Up for Championship Weekend of High School Football
Rock Hill, South Carolina, is set to welcome an electrifying weekend of high school football, with pivotal playoff implications on the line. The standout matchup heads the schedule: a fierce rivalry between Rock Hill Bearcats and No. 2 Northwestern Trojans, both boasting unbeaten records in region play.
Key Matchups to Watch
At District 3 Stadium on Friday, October 20, the action kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Rock Hill (5-3, 4-0 S.C. Region 3 5A) faces off against Northwestern (8-0, 4-0). This matchup marks a significant moment, as for the first time in over two decades, both teams enter the rivalry with perfect region records. The Trojans have dominated in recent years, winning 13 out of the last 15 encounters.
Northwestern’s offense is led by quarterback Finley Polk, who ranks first in South Carolina in passing yards with 2,204, alongside an impressive 30 touchdowns against only four interceptions. He is supported by impactful receivers Kameron Vance and Jayden Nichols, who have accumulated over 700 yards each this season. On the other side, Rock Hill’s Kason Canupp showed his prowess with four touchdown passes of 40 yards or more last week, including a breathtaking 80-yard throw to E.J. Ratley.
Other Exciting Games in the Region
Several other contests are also drawing attention this weekend, each holding potential playoff consequences. Andrew Jackson (1-6, 1-1 Region 4 2A) travels to take on Pageland Central (5-2, 1-1) at the same time. After a convincing 32-14 victory over Chesterfield last week, Andrew Jackson’s quarterback Logan Neal aims to continue his momentum.
Meanwhile, players to watch in Chesterfield (5-2, 0-2 Region 5 2A) versus Buford (2-5, 1-1) include Antonio Amos from Buford, who’s been the shining star on the Yellow Jackets’ offense, averaging around 80 rushing yards per game.
Chester (2-5, 1-1) hosts Columbia (4-3, 0-1) at 7:30 p.m., and with Chester recently struggling against tough defenses, Zeke Evans’ performance will be essential as he leads in rushing and interceptions.
Impactful Performances Anticipated
C.A. Johnson (1-6, 0-2) is set to host Great Falls (2-5, 0-2) in a matchup where both teams are seeking to revitalize their seasons after giving up considerable points in recent games. Great Falls is particularly challenged after a tough two-week stretch.
Additionally, the clash between Indian Land (4-3, 1-2) and Clover (4-3, 1-2) promises excitement, as both teams look to solidify their playoff standings. Clover, resting last week, hopes Landon Stone can steer them toward a strong performance.
Closing Remarks
As the teams gear up for one of the most competitive weekends of high school football, fans in Rock Hill can anticipate action-packed games filled with high stakes. The implications of these matchups will shape playoff positioning, and every player will be looking to make decisive impacts on the field.
