ROCK HILL – Catawba Ridge head football coach Zac Lendyak praised his team’s ‘resilience’ following an emotional road victory over Rock Hill at District III Stadium Friday night.
Running back Brayden Wasik was tapped to take over at middle linebacker early in the game. Backup quarterback Will Griggs stepped in under center after starter CJ Couch got hit hard in a pivotal fourth quarter. Lendyak even had to promote a JV kicker this week to replace Camden Gifford (bone bruise).
And still, the Copperheads made the right plays at the right time to earn a shot at securing the No. 2 seed in Region 3-5A.
Couch threw for 166 yards and two touchdowns, Nolan Jones lit up the visitor’s side with a first-quarter field goal kick fumble recovery, and Catawba Ridge shut down the Rock Hill offense just enough to secure a 26-21 victory. Catawba Ridge wide receiver Braylen Burgis logged 65 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Lendyak joked he’s earning more than his fair share of gray hairs.
“I tell them, that’s why I keep the hat on so much,” he said. “I told (the team) the other day, I think they’re trying to kill me. But they’re such a great group, I love them.”
Catawba Ridge, now 7-2 overall and 4-1 in region, has won seven of its last eight games dating back to Aug. 30, and is in prime position to earn the No. 2 spot in region play with one final win in the regular season finale at home Nov. 1 against Clover.
Catawba Ridge enjoyed a strong start, courtesy of a blocked field goal.
Rock Hill began its first possession on its own 13 and pushed as far as the Catawba Ridge 15 on 16 plays, but the Copperheads defensive line blocked a 31-yard field goal attempt, and Nolan Jones rumbled the remaining 79 yards for a big-man touchdown that swung the momentum to the visitors.
Defensive back Jalen Richardson flew in to intercept Rock Hill quarterback Kason Canupp on the second play of Rock Hill’s next possession, giving the Copperheads a new start at the Rock Hill 20. It only took Couch a few plays before finding Preston Cooper from 10 yards out to give his team a 13-0 lead late in the first quarter.
Canupp suffered a leg injury just before the quarter ended, and was later seen on crutches in the second quarter. He was replaced by backup Ian Grissom.
Rock Hill finally found some rhythm on offense when Grissom found receiver Duncan Stockunas for a 30-yard gain on second down. Just outside the red zone, Grissom connected with EJ Ratley through the middle from 21 yard to cut the lead to 13-7.
Catawba Ridge answered with a score of its own, thanks to poorly-timed Rock Hill penalties that kept the chains moving. On the 12-yard line, Couch dropped back and spotted Braylen Burgis surrounded by a crowd of Bearcats and delivered a dot to the receiver to push the lead to 19-7 with less than four minutes to play in the first half.
Grissom found receiver Malik Clark over the middle for a 64-yard bomb, and Clark raced away from his defenders to cut the lead back to 19-14 just a minute later.
Catawba Ridge took over with 2:36 left in the half at its own 22. Couch connected with Wasik for a first down, then a personal foul call on Rock Hill kept the drive alive. But on third and one at Rock Hill’s 37, Couch couldn’t connect with his receiver and the clock expired, leading both teams into the locker room.
“The wins mean a little more down here (in Rock Hill),” Lendyak said. “Any time you can get a win against Rock Hill schools, with the history they have in this stadium.”
Catawba Ridge stonewalled Rock Hill on its first three drives in the second half, and even snuffed out a fake punt attempt, with the punter unable to reach the first down marker as he rolled out to the sideline.
The visitors then took over close to midfield. Couch found Cooper near the sideline for a big 32-yard pickup, and Lewis Price rumbled into the end zone to give Catawba Ridge its final score of the night.
Grissom connected with Ratley for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to five.
That’s when Couch was benched after a hard hit on the previous possession. Lendyak said Couch had a headache, and he wanted to protect his quarterback.
Rock Hill took over on its own 29 with 7:35 left, and pushed as far as the Catawba Ridge 22. But Grissom missed on third and long, then tripped on a pivotal fourth down play, allowing Catawba Ridge to burn some time. The Copperheads’ defense still made one last stand with Rock Hill driving with 93 seconds left.
Catawba Ridge’s Alex Johnson sacked Grissom for a large loss, pegging the Bearcats back on third and a mile. Grissom’s luck ran out, and Catawba Ridge earned the gutsy win.
“We started off real rocky,” Lendyak said. “The year we had last year, the injuries, but this group has been so resilient. They’ve bought into how they play their positions, special teams or starting quarterback. They’re so much fun to be around. We just want to keep going, one more week.”
Lendyak said he expected next week’s season finale to be a packed atmosphere.
“I want this to be a good show for the fans and let the seniors leave the right way,” he said.
Catawba Ridge finishes its regular season with a home region game Friday, Nov. 1 against Clover.
