By Lee McManus
Special to Fort Mill Prep Sports
INDIAN LAND — A 36-21 Catawba Ridge win over the Indian Land Warriors Friday sets up a Region 3-4A title game next week for the Copperheads against the Northwestern Trojans.
The Copperheads, ranked fifth in the latest 4A poll, traveled to Indian Land to take on the Warriors on senior night. Their run defense and special teams helped the Copperheads overcome 16 penalties for 156 yards. The win moves Catawba Ridge to 9-0 overall on the season and 4-0 in region.
A 40-yard punt return set up the Copperheads’ first score on third and seven as quarterback Tyler Fikis found Brandon Raysor wide open in the far corner of the end zone from 27-yards to make it 7-0. Raysor caught four passes for 55 yards in the game.
After a fourth down stop, the Warriors drove 69 yards in six plays to tie the game. A personal foul on Catawba Ridge and a 45-yard pass play set up Jaden Singletary’s 2-yard run for the score. Jaxon Scheidt found Jaden Peoples down the seam, and Peoples made a great adjustment to set Indian Land up at the Catawba Ridge five.
The Copperheads defense and special teams dominated the second quarter. Scheidt had to go to a knee to field a punt in the end zone. The safety made it 9-7 Catawba Ridge. Their ensuing drive bogged down at the 22. Kohen Kozel’s 39-yard field goal pushed the lead to 12-7 for the Copperheads. Just before the half, the Copperheads got another field goal from Kozel, this one from 33-yards. Their 79-yard drive stalled at the Warriors 16.
That Catawba Ridge drive started at Indian Land’s five after Myles Stinson was stuffed on fourth and goal. The Warriors’ scoring chance was set up by a 54-yard half back pass from Stinson to Malakai Knight.
Another short drive by Catawba Ridge was set up by a 35-yard kickoff return. The Copperheads’ 45-yard drive was capped off by a 4-yard Tyler Jones run to push the lead to 22-7.
Indian Land could not cut into the lead as Catawba Ridge got a stop on fourth and five at their 27. On the Warriors next drive, they put together their best drive of the night going 78-yards. Singletary’s 2-yard run cut the lead to 22-14.
Catawba Ridge responded very quickly again with another big kickoff return, this one 58-yards. Fikis took the quarterback draw around the far end, then right up the middle from the 14 to stretch the lead to 29-14.
Another huge personal foul penalty aided Indian Land’s 65-yard march. Scheidt found his way around the near side from 1-yard to pull the Warriors to 29-21. Indian Land then recovered an onside kick but could do nothing with it. Scheidt’s punt went only 13 yards, setting up Catawba Ridge at their 33. Fikis took in the final score of the night, another quarterback run off a fake to Jones 32 yards.
Fikis went 14-of-21 for 124 yards and a touchdown, as well as ran for 73 yards on nine carries. Jones rushed for 120 yards on 24 carries.
Next week’s region championship game will be from District III Stadium in Rock Hill.
