The road to the 5A-Division II State Championship begins this Friday, and for the Fort Mill School District, it starts with a familiar, high-stakes collision. In a first-round clash that doubles as the most intense rivalry game of the year, the No. 9 seeded Fort Mill Yellow Jackets (5-5 overall) will travel across town to face the No. 8 Catawba Ridge Copperheads (5-4 overall) at The Pit.
This elimination game pits district neighbors against each other for the second time this season, raising the already intense atmosphere of the SCHSL playoffs. The winner earns the right to face the bracket’s No. 1 seed, Northwestern, next week, making this Friday night’s victory crucial for keeping local championship dreams alive.
The Crosstown Showdown: Fort Mill at Catawba Ridge
Catawba Ridge secured a narrow 13-10 victory in the teams’ regular-season meeting, utilizing a strong defensive effort to limit the Yellow Jackets. For Fort Mill, the challenge lies in reversing that result and proving their offensive explosiveness can overcome the Copperheads’ tough run defense.
Critical Matchup: Fort Mill’s Air Attack vs. Catawba Ridge’s Linebacking Core
Fort Mill will rely heavily on quarterback Broden Mitcheson, who leads the team with 14 total touchdowns this season. Mitcheson’s primary target is receiver Jameson Terrell, who averages 71.4 receiving yards per game and must be contained for Catawba Ridge to advance.
The Copperheads’ defense is anchored by senior linebacker Nolan Jones, who leads the team with 7.5 tackles per game. Jones’ ability to pressure Mitcheson and clog passing lanes underneath will be the defining factor in stopping the Yellow Jackets’ momentum.
On offense, Catawba Ridge will lean on its ground game, powered by the dynamic rushing of Curtis Dayson. If the Copperheads can control the clock and consistently move the chains, they can keep Fort Mill’s potent offense off the field.
Nation Ford Takes Road Trip to Greenville
The Fort Mill district’s third 5A playoff contender, the Nation Ford Falcons (4-6), face a challenging road game as the No. 10 seed travels to take on the No. 7 Greenville Red Raiders (6-4).
Despite their sub-.500 record, the Falcons have proven they can score with anyone, frequently playing in high-scoring shootouts. Nation Ford’s strength lies in its high-powered aerial offense, which recently registered over 440 passing yards in a close regular-season contest.
Critical Matchup: Nation Ford’s Passing Efficiency vs. Greenville’s Defensive Front
The key for Nation Ford will be protecting the quarterback and finding big plays against a stout Greenville Red Raiders squad that relies on disciplined defense. Given the Falcons’ tendency to put up significant yardage through the air, their offensive line will need its best performance yet.
For the Red Raiders, shutting down Nation Ford’s vertical passing game early will be paramount. This matchup has been pegged by many local analysts as an “upset watch,” setting the stage for a dramatic contest in the upstate that could see the Falcons advance with a strong offensive showing. Both games kick off Friday night as the 5A-D2 bracket narrows its field.
