Fort Mill, SC — The 1-3 Fort Mill High School football team open up Region 3-5A play tonight against cross town rival Catawba Ridge High School. The Copperheads are 3-1 and are looking to extend their three game winning streak.
Fort Mill has struggled since their opening game blowout of Charlotte’s Ballantyne Ridge High School. To beat Catawba Ridge, Fort Mill Head Coach Robert McNeely said the coaching has to be better and that the players must “have confidence in their training, teammates and game plan.” They’ll be going against a Catawba Ridge team that’s outscored their opponents 148-94 in four games this season. “We have to take care of the football, keep the chains moving and keep their offense off the field. We also need to stay healthy,” McNeely explained.
The Copperheads enter tonight’s matchup on a three game winning streak after losing 10 straight that started in last season’s game two against Charlotte Christian. “We are very happy with where we are at offensively,” Catawba Ridge Head Coach Zac Lendyak, said. ” We would always love to see a few more yards per carry, but the run game has been effective when needed. I’m sure they (Fort Mill) are watching film and putting in a great game plan. They have a unique offense that we need to be prepared for. They’ve got an athletic QB, really aggressive OL and some really nice targets on the outside. We will definitely have our hands full.”
Tonight’s game starts the Region 3-5A schedule for both teams. When Catawba Ridge opened in 2019 it immediatley added to the in-town rivalry situation that also includes Nation Ford High School. “Rivalries are what make football special,” Lendyak said. “It is fun for the town when two of the schools play, but we are approaching this game just like every other game. I respect Coach McNeely a ton. I’ve coached against him a hand full of times and his teams are always prepared and play extremely hard.”
McNeely also complimented the Catawba Ridge program. He said, “They have a great coaching staff and players who seem to be bought in to what they are doing offensively and defensively.”
Kickoff for tonight’s game is at 7:30 p.m. at Bob Jones Stadium.
