By Lee McManus
Correspondent
The Fort Mill Yellow Jackets emerged from a log jam in Region 2-5A with a big win over the Rock Hill Bearcats.
The game felt as much like a boxing match as a football game. The Yellow Jackets came out of their corner in the twelfth round to grab a 9-7 win in the final moments Friday night. Fort Mill improve to 7-1 overall and 2-1 in the region.
Both teams failed to score in the first quarter. They combined for just five first downs in the opening twelve minutes.
The Yellow Jackets saw their best chance to score in the first half go by the boards, thanks to a controversial fumble. Donovan Franklin appeared to recover the fumble and return it 90 yards for the Bearcats. Officials called a personal foul on Rock Hill, in addition to a false start on Fort Mill. The play stood as called and Rock Hill took over at their own 10.
The Bearcats drained over half the second quarter to take the lead. Quarterback Kaiden Watkins fought his way in from the four to take the lead with 4:12 left in the first.
After trading punts Fort Mill started their drive with 1:07 left in the half deep in their own territory. They drove to the Bearcats 46 before Harper Love threw up pass down the middle with 11 seconds left. Nigel Lightener picked off the pass at the 20 to preserve Rock Hill touchdown lead.
Penalties hurt both teams in the first half. Fort Mill finished with 6-70.
Early in the third quarter the Yellow Jackets put together a drive down to the Bearcats 37. Rock Hill stuffed Broden Mitcheson for a three-yard loss, turning Fort Mill away again.
Watkins and Rock Hill looked to extend their lead on their next drive, but Jerrell Douglas picked off Watkins at Fort Mill’s 14.
Fort Mill’s missed a third chance to score when Noah Hardy missed a 42-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. His missed field goal came immediately after Yellow Jackets quarterback Harper Love’s pass was dropped on third and five from Rock Hill’s 26.
A short Rock Hill punt gave Fort Mill the ball at the Bearcats 49. Love found Jameson Terrell down the near sideline for 41 yards down to Rock Hill’s two. Three plays later Mitcheson dove in from the to pull the Yellow Jackets within one. Hardy missed the extra point wide right.
Another stop of Rock Hill gave Fort Mill the chance to take the lead. The Yellow Jackets drove all the way down to the Bearcats one.
Fort Mill head coach Rob McNeely told Hardy before the kick, “I just told him listen you’re still the best kicker in the state. You’re going to have an opportunity to win the game for us. It wound up coming to fruition.”
Hardy’s 18-yard field goal put the Yellow Jackets ahead with just 1:12 left. A 27-yard wide receiver screen from Love to Terrell set up the field goal.
Eli Cheeke sealed the win, picking off Watkins desperation pass on fourth and 10. The Bearcats led much of the game but could not overcome 11-135 in penalties.
After the game, McNeely talked about his quarterback Harper Love’s performance. Love led the Yellow Jackets with 7-33 yards rushing, and he also finished for 19-of-29 passing for 219 yards passing.
“Their front seven is one of the best we’ve seen all year,” McNeely said. “Our offensive line held together as best they could. Harper made some really good decisions, cool under pressure, he can do it all. He can run the ball if he has to, but he can throw the ball as well.”
Fort Mill has a chance to claim a share of first place in the region when they face the Northwestern Trojans at home on Oct. 23. Rock Hill faces the Dorman Cavaliers at District Three Stadium.
