A back-and-forth game saw the Fort Mill Yellow Jackets threaten the Chester Cyclones, but turnovers helped to derail momentum in a 38-24 win for Chester.
The key word in the pregame at Chester wasn’t sports related, but more weather related. Kickoff temperatures at Cyclone Stadium in Chester was a steamy 92 degrees, but the heat index made it feel more like 100 degrees.
Fort Mill came in trying to stop a 16-game losing streak and lost to Catawba Ridge 38-14 in the season opener last week.
Jackets quarterback Collin Martin was 14-for-24 for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Their leading receiver was Tanner Mays who had six catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.
However, it was the penalties and turnovers that really derailed Fort Mill. Fort Mill turned the ball over five times including four interceptions.
“We gave up stupid penalties,” said Fort Mill head coach Rob McNeely. “Turnovers are byproducts of protection and receivers running the right routes. I loved the fight we had. I knew this was going to be a bloodbath. I think we are really close, but it doesn’t matter what I think, the players have got to believe.”
The Jackets were down by two scores to start the second half. Fort Mill got a big break as they recovered the second half kickoff at the 4-yard line. However, three plays later Martin throws an interception at the goal line to give the ball right back to Chester.
Fort Mill’s defense stepped up and got the ball back about midfield. The Jackets then put together a strong drive with the help of Martin and Mays connecting on a 17-yard screen pass to get near the red zone. Fort Mill got a big first down on a pass interference to get to the 12-yard line. Two plays later Martin hit Jackson Smith for a 9-yard touchdown to pull Fort Mill within one touchdown at 24-17.
Chester opened the fourth quarter scoring 31 seconds into play as quarterback Trooper Floyd ran in from 9-yards out to extend the Cyclones lead, but missed out on the 2-point conversion.
Fort Mill wouldn’t go away as Gavin Brandwood got a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown to pull the Jackets within six at 30-24 with about nine minutes left in the game.
However, a personal foul by Fort Mill on Chester’s next series set up the Cyclones for a 35-yard touchdown run and again allowed them to pull away.
Chester opened the second quarter driving down the field and punched it in from 4-yards out less than 90 seconds into the new quarter as they went up 16-3.
Fort Mill turned the ball over for the second time on their first drive of the quarter on a tipped pass giving Chester the ball back in Jackets’ territory. The Cyclones did well in the quarter eating up the clock and putting together lengthy drives to keep the Fort Mill offense off the field. That drive resulted in a 4-yard scoring run by the Cyclones with 4:25 left in the first half.
Despite the score, the Jackets came back to take the ball at Chester as Martin hit Jeremiah McNeil on a big 33-yard pass reception to get Fort Mill to the 25-yard line of the Cyclones. Facing a third and 10, Martin hit Mays for a 25-yard touchdown to close the gap with about 3:22 left in the half.
The Jackets came up with a Chester interception with about 1:11 left in the second quarter to give them some extra life in the half. However, that series ended in a punt for Fort Mill.
At the half, Fort Mill trailed 24-10 and gained most of their yards through the air as Martin accounted for 101 passing yards in the first half. The Jackets had just seven rushing yards at the half.
Things didn’t start well for Fort Mill as they fumbled on the second play of the first quarter giving Chester the ball at the 20-yard line. The Cyclones took advantage and scored three plays later.
Fort Mill was able to regroup and despite having to punt twice in the first quarter, were able to get down to within the red zone ending with a 21-yard field goal to get on the board with about 3:50 left in the quarter. On the drive, Martin hit Mays on a 17-yard pass to get Fort Mill to go down to the 5-yard line. The Jackets struggled some on the drive as they got to the 5-yard line, but couldn’t get around the end having to settle for a field goal.
Fort Mill has next week off as it is their bye week. They will return to action Sept. 8 in their home opener against Indian Land.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
