Northwestern Trojans Dominate Homecoming Game Against Clover Eagles
In a thrilling display of skill and teamwork, the Northwestern Trojans from Rock Hill took charge of their homecoming game, showcasing their prowess by defeating the Clover Eagles with a resounding score of 57-23. The Trojans wasted no time in establishing their dominance; just four minutes into the game, after forcing Clover to punt, quarterback Finley Polk led the team on a dazzling five-play touchdown drive.
Head Coach Page Wofford couldn’t be more pleased with his team’s performance, expressing pride in both the offense and defense. “Fifty-seven points against that team and the way they run the ball and control the clock is pretty good,” he said. “It says a lot about our offense and our defense for setting us up with some good plays. We are just happy to be 7-0.”
A Game of Turns
Although the Trojans were cruising with an impressive lead, they faced a brief challenge in the third quarter when Clover’s Aaron Shealey, their quarterback, threw two quick touchdowns that reignited the Eagles’ hopes. It was a moment of pause, but Polk quickly rallied his team, proving the phrase “keep chopping” to be more than just a mantra. “No matter what happens, if we are up or down, it doesn’t matter,” he shared. “So, what now? If a bad play happens, it’s not going to affect the next play.”
Polk shone throughout the game, finishing with a remarkable seven touchdowns—both passing and rushing. This victory also marked a personal milestone for him as he surpassed the remarkable 100 career touchdown passes mark. “My offensive line has done a great job creating lanes for me to run,” Polk noted with gratitude. “And I’ve been blessed with a lot of good receivers and running backs to catch the ball in my career to help me get to that milestone.”
Looking Ahead
With the Trojans now sitting pretty at 7-0 and ranked No. 2 in the Observer Sweet 16 rankings, three more games await them before the state playoffs kick off. Even with a string of victories under their belt, Coach Wofford emphasizes the importance of respect and focus for the upcoming challenges. “We’ve got to come out and play great against Fort Mill, Rock Hill, and Indian Land,” he said. “Those are three good football teams all coached by good coaches. So, we’ve got to make our corrections in a hurry.”
Polk wholeheartedly agreed, reminding everyone, “We don’t play football math. We don’t add up different scores to see if we are better than this or that team. We play great teams on Friday nights, and we have to prepare the same way for each of them.”
Star Performers
Aside from Polk’s impressive performance, Jayden Nichols, a wide receiver for the Trojans, seemed to be his go-to target, catching the first two touchdowns of the game, one of which spanned over 50 yards. Despite the challenges, Clover’s Shealey kept his composure and contributed significantly to his team’s effort with two second-half touchdowns.
The game unfolded with the Trojans demonstrating a strong start:
- First Quarter:
- Polk 12-yard pass to Nichols (Matthew Fish kick)
- Polk 52-yard pass to Nichols (2-point try successful)
- Second Quarter:
- Polk 3-yard rush (Fish kick)
- Clover’s Maddox 32-yard field goal
- Polk 4-yard rush (Fish kick)
- Polk 11-yard rush (Fish kick)
- Third Quarter:
- Shealey 37-yard pass to McCluney (Maddox kick)
- Shealey 28-yard pass to McCluney (Maddox kick)
- Vance 4-yard rush (Fish kick)
- Polk 43-yard pass to Vance (Fish kick)
- Fourth Quarter:
- Polk 4-yard pass to Caldwell (Fish kick)
- McCluney 3-yard rush (kick blocked)
This match was not just about a scoreboard; it was a display of teamwork, dedication, and a willingness to overcome challenges. As the Trojans gear up for the remaining games, fans can’t help but feel excited about what lies ahead. Go Trojans!
