The Clover Blue Eagles completed a furious fourth-quarter rally to defeat the rival Fort Mill Yellow Jackets 27-26 Friday night, seizing the lead with less than two minutes remaining and sealing the win when the Yellow Jackets fumbled on the ensuing drive.
The 5A-Region 3 rivals battled through adverse weather conditions that led to several costly turnovers.
Fort Mill, attempting to earn its first region victory, started strong after the opening kickoff. The Yellow Jackets blocked Clover’s first punt and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. After a failed two-point conversion, Fort Mill led 6-0. Clover (4-2, 1-1 5A-R3) quickly answered, driving for a 14-yard rushing touchdown to take a 7-6 lead late in the first quarter.
The Yellow Jackets (4-2, 0-2 5A-R3) regained control in the second quarter when kicker Noah Hardy connected on a 23-yard field goal and quarterback Quinn Kelly later hit Broden Mitcheson for a 16-yard passing touchdown. Fort Mill carried a 16-7 lead into halftime.
The lead grew to 16 points early in the third quarter when Mitcheson punched in a 3-yard rushing touchdown to make the score 23-7.
But the Blue Eagles’ offense found life late. Quarterback Aaron Shealey led a comeback effort that began in the fourth quarter with an explosive 80-yard passing touchdown to Braxton Goodman, cutting the deficit to 23-20 after the successful extra point. Fort Mill responded with a 36-yard field goal from Hardy to make it 26-20 with six minutes left.
The decisive moment came with just over two minutes on the clock. Clover marched down the field and executed a final passing touchdown to tie the score 26-26. The point after attempt was good, giving the Blue Eagles a narrow 27-26 lead.
Fort Mill’s chance to answer was instantly derailed when Clover forced and recovered Kellys fumble on the Yellow Jacket’s final drive, allowing the Blue Eagles to run out the clock and escape with the one-point victory.
