Nation Ford’s Josh Ameo tries to break free from a Rock Hill defender during their game Friday night in Fort Mill. Photos by Rob Upton Photography.

Minutes after securing his place as the all-time winningest football coach in Fort Mill Township history, Nation Ford coach Michael Allen placed all the focus and attention back on his team, rather than his individual accolades.

Falcons’ quarterback Carson Black threw four touchdowns, including three scoring passes to receiver Josh Ameo, as the Falcons improved to 2-6 overall and 1-2 in Region 3-5A by defeating Rock Hill 41-28.

Nation Ford led by as many as 27 points midway through the fourth quarter, but the Bearcats, who fell to 2-6 and 1-2 in the region, scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes to cut the lead back to 13. Ultimately, the lackluster ending will give Allen and his team plenty of tape to study as the Falcons look toward the final two region games which will decide who earns a berth in the Class 5A playoffs.

Still, Allen acknowledged, a win is a win. And this win helped Allen earn his place as the winningest coach in Fort Mill history, with his 64 victories exceeding the win total of his father, who he matched following last month’s win against Richland Northeast.

“The most important thing for me is for this team right here to get a win,” Allen said. “To put us in a chance, region-wise, to get in the playoffs. All that other stuff, it’s special to me, but what’s important to me is these kids and Nation Ford football.”

Nation Ford found paydirt on its opening offensive drive, with quarterback Carson Black finding Jordan Ussery, Ben Wakefield, and Josh Ameo for quick completions before AJ McCullom ripped off a 13-yard run to put the Falcons on the Rock Hill 1-yard line. Lucas Barz snagged the simple short scoring pass from Black to put Nation Ford up 7-0.

A few drives later, Nation Ford took over on the 50, where running back Nick Campbell dashed into the end zone from 21-yards out after a pass interference call went the Falcons’ way.

Nation Ford pushed the lead to 19-0 on the next possession when Jadon Washington picked off Rock Hill quarterback Matthew Wilson and ran it back to the house from 18-yards.

Nation Ford entered the halftime break up 19-0, having kept the Bearcats fruitless on the ground and having given up less than 30 passing yards.

Black got Barz more involved in the third quarter, finding him for 32 and 20-yard gains after starting from his own 18. But Ameo earned the score, dragging a defender into the end zone on a 22-yard scoring play to give Nation Ford an unassailable 27-0 lead with 8:30 left in the third quarter.

“I started off slow, in the slot,” Ameo said. “I knew I had to turn up, and I was catching every ball (Black) threw to me. It feels good he trusts me to catch the ball when he throws it to me.”

Nation Ford nearly added to its advantage, but Black was picked off in the end zone late in the third quarter by Rock Hill’s Rakwon Stradford on a third and 10 at the Bearcats’ 14.

The visitors took possession and drove down the field in less than three minutes, finishing an 11-play, 80-yard drive with a 12-yard scoring catch by Townsend Robertson. Wilson finished the game with 164 yards on 17-of-33 passing, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Falcons fumbled the ball on their final play of the third quarter, but Ja’Derrick Foster gave Nation Ford the ball back just two plays later when he picked off Wilson and ran the ball back about 50 yards to put the Falcons within the Rock Hill 10. Black found Ameo for his second score, this time from 9-yards away, on the first play.

“It was a big play,” Allen said. “Ja’Derrick was buying his time, sitting back there. I thought he was going to get it in the endzone. We knew he’d get a big play.”

The two teams traded touchdowns throughout the fourth quarter, with Wilson finishing off a 52-yard drive with a quarterback keeper and Black finding Ameo one last time from 22-yards out to give Nation Ford a 41-14 lead. And even though Robertson and Wilson found the end zone one more time each, the win was never really in doubt.

“I think it goes a long way in showing them what they’re capable of,” Allen said. “It shows them also we’ve got to finish a little better. But it brings more energy to them.”

Black finished the game with 194 passing yards and four touchdowns. Ameo racked up 63 receiving yards.

Both teams will be back in region action 7:30 p.m. Friday., Oct. 21. Nation Ford will travel to Columbia to play Spring Valley, while Rock Hill will host Blythewood.

Ameo said he has high expectations for his team, heading into the final two region games.

“I think we can sweep, do 2-0 in the next two games, and go in the playoffs,” Ameo said.

The Nation Ford defense tackles Rock Hill quarterback Matthew Wilson during the Falcons game Friday night.