The Fort Mill Yellow Jackets came up about 20 yards short of pulling an upset over the Indian Land Warriors.
Indian Land escaped Bob Jones Stadium with a 20-16 win over the Jackets as they were stopped with 20 seconds remaining in the game near the red zone. The loss was the fifth in a row for the Jackets as they dropped to 4-5 on the season and 0-5 in Region 3-5A.
“We botched some plays,” said Fort Mill head coach Rob McNeely. “We had some miscommunications. The OL needs to do a better job. The coaches need to do a better job. The skill players need to do a better job.”
The Jackets came in still looking for their first region win of the season, while also playing spoiler to Indian Land’s undefeated season, as they improved to 9-0 with the win.
Fort Mill got the ball to start the game and started well picking up several first downs before an interception by quarterback Quinn Kelly gave Indian Land the ball at the 25.
Their first play from scrimmage turned into a 75-yard touchdown throw from Matt Kucia to Kenneth Wilson for an early score. That would be all the scoring in the quarter for both teams.
In the second quarter, Fort Mill’s Lake Tolentino recovered a fumble in the end zone to put the Jackets on the board with 9:50 left in the period.
Indian Land responded as they drove the field on their next series. Kucia hit Sequel Patterson for a 31-yard pass and Kucia then went back to Patterson, this time for a 26-yard touchdown to extend the Warriors lead.
Fort Mill was able to put together a good drive resulting in a 39-yard field goal by Noah Hardy keeping them in the game.
On the next Warriors drive, Indian Land coughed up the ball again as Josiah McGill would score on a 48-yard fumble recovery resulting in a touchdown putting Fort Mill up 16-14 with 3:23 left in the half.
Indian Land got the ball to open the second half, but the Jackets made a huge defensive stop to keep the Warriors out of the red zone.
Offensively, the Jackets couldn’t get anything going in their first series in the second half.
The game turned into a defensive struggle as neither team scored in the third quarter. Fort Mill didn’t pick up a first down in the third quarter, while the Warriors picked up seven, but didn’t score in the quarter.
Indian Land opened the fourth quarter driving as Jamol Horton did his job by keeping the ball on the ground. Horton would score on a 22-yard run to put the Warriors on top ending a 13-play drive.
Fort Mill continued to struggle offensively until near the end of the fourth quarter. The Jackets put together a lengthy drive, but came up short turning the ball over on downs with 20 seconds left in the game at the Warriors 22.
Kelly went 15-for-23 for 167 yards and an interception for the Jackets. Broden Mitcheson rushed for 61 yards on 17 carries for Fort Mill. He also caught five passes for 45 yards, while Jameson Terrell caught five passes as well for 57 yards.
Up next, Fort Mill host Nation Ford in the regular season final with a possible spot in the playoffs if they can win.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
