The Rock Hill Bearcats doubled up Nation Ford Falcons winning 30-14 in a game littered with storylines.
On one side you have a former assistant coach from the opposing team, now head coach of Nation Ford in Jake Bentley. You have Rock Hill head coach Leon Boulware who use to be at Nation Ford. Current Bearcat defensive coordinator Michael Allen was the Falcons’ head coach for 18 years at the school, but resigned midway through the season last year, so this was his first time back as an opposing coach. Also, Nation Ford quarterback Kason Canupp left Rock Hill High School after last season to come to the Falcons. To say the match up was intriguing, is an understatement.
However, turnovers and penalties were the ultimate storyline for Nation Ford.
“Between the turnovers and penalties, every explosive play was taken away by penalty,” Bentley said. “It’s frustrating. We have to reset and refocus. We have to focus on what is important.”
Rock Hill got the opening kick from the Falcons and went for a 90-yard touchdown only to have the score negated because of a penalty.
The Bearcats regrouped and scored on their first drive on a one-yard plunge after an 11-play drive.
Nation Ford put together a decent drive on their first series, but penalties hurt their momentum. The drive took them into the second quarter where Falcons quarterback Canupp was able to hit Ja’Mari Gore for a 26-yard touchdown pass with 11:07 remaining in the first half. The score capped off a 14-play, 79-yard drive.
Rock Hill then fumbled the kickoff and gave it back to Nation Ford at the Bearcats 33. Things didn’t go as well on the drive for the Falcons as Canupp was intercepted for the second straight week in the end zone on a tipped pass.
Rock Hill took over at their own 20-yard line, and the Falcons defense struggled to stop the run as the Bearcats kept the ball on the ground. Rock Hill would score on a three-yard run to get back on top with 2:15 left in the first half.
The two teams traded punts and Nation Ford got the ball back with 1:15 left in the half. The Falcons got to midfield, but a second Canupp interception killed the drive with 15 seconds left in the half.
Nation Ford got the ball to start the second half and put together a strong drive on their first series, but it stalled out at the Bearcats 22.
On their first possession, Rock Hill kept the ball on the ground and pulled off a 43-yard touchdown run to extend their lead with 1:43 left in the third quarter.
Nation Ford bounced right back as Canupp hit Asher Beck on a 78-yard flea flicker for a touchdown with just 1:20 left in the third on the first play of their drive.
Rock Hill again struck back with another touchdown scoring on a 48-yard pass with 11 seconds left in the third quarter.
Right before the end of the third quarter, the Falcons turned the ball over on a fumble giving the Bearcats the ball at the Falcons 26 to open the fourth quarter.
Rock Hill again took advantage of the turnover and scored on a 23-yard field goal with 8:27 left in the game to go up 30-14.
Nation Ford put together another lengthy drive, bur again turned the ball over on downs deep in Bearcat territory.
Canupp led Nation Ford throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions as he went 13-of 23 for 204 yards. He also ran for 62 yards. Gore led in catches with four for 44 yards and a touchdown. Beck had two catches for 89 yards and a touchdown. Jayden Scott had three catches for 38 yards. Malachi Drayton had 12 carries for 56 yards in the game for the Falcons.
Nation Ford is now 3-4 on the season and 0-3 in Region 3-5A. Up next for Nation Ford is hosting rival Catawba Ridge on Friday, Oct. 17.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
