The Fort Mill Yellow Jackets ran for more than 300 yards to roll past their rival, the Nation Ford Falcons, as they improve to 4-0 on the year.
Having picked up their first win in roughly a decade last year over Nation Ford, a streaking Fort Mill team was looking for two in a row against the Falcons on Friday, Sept. 18. Fort Mill rushed to a 43-7 win over Nation Ford, who fell to 0-5 on the season. Fort Mill is ranked ninth in the state in 5A.
“Our offensive line keeps getting better every week,” said Fort Mill head coach Rob McNeely. “When you have Broden (Mitcheson) and Aiden (O’Hara) in the back field it is pretty tough. It’s like thunder and lightning. Those guys bring it every day.”
Mitcheson and O’Hara unofficially combined for 313 of the 332 rushing yards for Fort Mill.
Nation Ford got the ball to open the game and quarterback Brooks Treble threw an interception on the second play at the game for the Falcons. Fort Mill took over at the Nation Ford 29 and two plays later quarterback Harper Love hit Jameson Terrell for a 25-yard touchdown pass to put the Jackets ahead about 90 seconds into the game.
Nation Ford was aided by a roughing the kicker penalty on a punt putting them near midfield on their next possession. The penalty helped greatly as Nation Ford was able to run the ball and get near the red zone. As much as the run game helped the Falcons, penalties stalled the drive forcing them to punt.
The Jackets put together another commanding drive as Love had a big pass play finding Greyson Love for a 41-yard pickup getting Fort Mill to the 1-yard line where Mitcheson took it in for a score with 2:11 left in the opening quarter.
Nation Ford’s second drive of the opening quarter quickly led to another punt. However, the Jackets drive was short lived as Nation Ford picked off Love and returned the ball to midfield before the end of the first quarter.
The Falcons offense was one dimensional as they only attempted three passes in the first quarter. A fake punt didn’t fool Fort Mill as they took over near midfield on their first possession of the second quarter. Fort Mill took over at midfield and scored in five plays with a 7-yard run by Mitcheson.
The Jackets offensive prowess continued as the second quarter wore on. Fort Mill continued to keep the ball on the ground and pick up major real estate. O’ Hara ran in from 1-yard-out extending their lead for Fort Mill.
With less than two minutes in the first half, Nation Ford’s second drive had their second turnover with a fumble giving the ball away to the Jackets at midfield.
Fort Mill also turn the ball over at the Falcons three-yard line with about 30 seconds left with a fumble of their own. Despite the turnover, the Fort Mill defense was able to capitalize as they got a safety just two plays later with about 18 seconds left in the half.
The Jackets didn’t waste any time in the second half scoring in just three plays as Love found Jerrell Douglas for a 16-yard touchdown pass after two big runs by Mitcheson on their first drive of the third quarter.
Nation Ford put together their longest drive of the game in the third quarter, but still struggled to score.
Fort Mill’s second drive resulted in the same as their first in the third quarter. Running a hurry up offense, the Jackets continued to punch the ball up the middle as O’Hara score his second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run.
The Falcons finally put together a scoring drive to open the fourth quarter as Treble found JD Edley for a 50-yard touchdown reception on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Fort Mill ran the clock out to finish the game. Mitcheson ran for 161 yards on 15 carries and O’Hara ran for 152 yards on 14 carries unofficially. Love threw for 129 yards on 8-of-14 passing with a couple touchdowns. Jerrell Douglas caught two passes for 41 yards and a touchdown for Fort Mill.
Nation Ford had less than 200 yards of offense in the game. Treble was 10-of-21 in the game for 119 yards and a touchdown. Edley caught two passes for 55 yards to lead the Falcons receiving core. Banks Demby rushed for 32 yards on seven carries.
Fort Mill heads to Westwood next week to finish their non-region schedule, while Nation Ford host Clover in their second Region 3-4A game of the year.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
