By Drew Hall
Special to Fort Mill Prep Sports
The Catawba Ridge Copperheads and Indian Land Warriors faced off on the gridiron in a crucial matchup with the victor gaining a significant leg up in Region 3-5A play.
The Warriors emerged with a stifling and opportunistic defense that haunted the Copperheads with two defensive touchdowns in route to a 34-7 win.
At first glance the Copperheads appeared sharp and confident coming off their bye week. On their first possession they drove the ball from their own 35-yard line into the Warriors redzone, but ended with a missed field goal.
The Warriors gave the ball right back over to the Copperheads on the next play fumbling away a mix-up on the snap.
Again, the Copperheads were set up in the Warriors redzone and again they failed to score. Warriors defensive back Noah Terry made his first big play of many on the night blocking the Copperheads field goal attempt.
The Warriors were able to take advantage of the momentum swing. Starting from their own 28-yard line, Indian Land marched down the field and scored a touchdown on a 34-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Matt Kucia to senior receiver Hayden Morris to go up 7-0.
The Copperheads were driving late in the first half poised to tie the score, but Warriors senior linebacker Jackson Conner came up with the play of the game. Conner intercepted Copperheads quarterback Will Griggs and returned the ball 75-yards for a touchdown.
“I felt like man, as the game went on our guys just found ways to make plays,” said Indian Land head coach Adam Hastings. “We talk about the six minutes, the three going into the half and the three coming out and Jackson Conner’s pick-six there was huge.”
After what seemed to be an evenly matched first half turned into a 14-0 Warriors lead at the break. Despite the Copperheads having a slight advantage in offensive plays, yardage and time of possession, the Warriors were growing stronger.
Coming out of the second half receiving the ball, the Warriors drove 58 yards and built a 20-0 lead when senior running back Jamol Horton ran into the end zone from 3-yards out.
The Copperheads fumbled back to the Warriors on the ensuing kickoff. After forcing a punt, the Copperheads regained possession and again drove the ball into the Warriors redzone to the 15-yard line. Terry emerged again intercepting a tipped Griggs pass keeping the Copperheads scoreless.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Horton scored again on a 17-yard run to launch the Warriors into cruise mode up 27-0.
The Copperheads offense sputtered for most final period. On their next possession the Copperheads turned the ball over on downs. With 2:55 remaining in the game, Terry got his second interception of the game and galloped 35-yards the other way into the end zone vaulting the Warriors a 34-0 lead.
The Copperheads finally got on the board aided by a 47-yard run by senior running back Mark Blakeney. Junior Bradey Compton threw 9-yards to senior receiver Sebatian Archbold for the Copperheads only touchdown of the game with just four seconds remaining to avoid the shutout.
The Warriors improved to a perfect 7-0 record on the season in a statement win and will look to keep their unbeaten streak intact at home versus Clover in their next game. The Copperheads fell to a record of 4-3 and 1-2 in Region 3-5A play. They will hope to right the ship next week on the road at Nation Ford.
