Behind a lethal mix of quick-strike aerial plays and relentless goal-line rushing, Fort Mill seized control early and never let go, pulling away for a 38-17 victory over Catawba Ridge on Friday night.
Catawba Ridge struck first on the game’s opening drive, capitalizing on a turnover on downs at the Fort Mill 40-yard line to punch in a 39-yard field goal. However, that early 3-0 deficit only served to wake up the Yellow Jackets’ offense.
Fort Mill sparked its dynamic night immediately on the ensuing kickoff with a long return that set up shop deep in Copperheads territory at the 39-yard line. Just moments later, quarterback Harper Love connected with wideout Jameson Terrell for a 35-yard touchdown strike. Noah Hardy’s successful point-after attempt put Fort Mill up 7-3, a lead they would hold for the rest of the evening.
The Fort Mill offense found another gear in the second quarter. Running back Broden Mitcheson bulled his way into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 13-3. After defensive back Matthew Tillman intercepted a Catawba Ridge pass at the Copperheads’ 25-yard line, the Love-to-Terrell connection struck again—this time on a gorgeous 40-yard touchdown bomb to push the advantage to 20-3.
Catawba Ridge answered late in the first half with a 21-yard passing touchdown to cut the score to 20-10, but Fort Mill completely re-established dominance after the break.
Mitcheson was unstoppable near the goal line, pounding in two more short touchdown runs in the second half—a 1-yard plunge in the third quarter and a 2-yard dive in the fourth following an Aiden Welch interception. Andrew Kowalski added a two-point conversion run, and Hardy added a 25-yard field goal to build a commanding 38-10 lead late in the final period.
Catawba Ridge added a late 2-yard rushing touchdown by Greyson Love to narrow the deficit to 38-17, but the outcome was already sealed.
Around the Area: South Pointe Stifles Nation Ford in 56-0 Shutout
In area action, South Pointe handed Nation Ford a brutal 56-0 loss.
South Pointe dominated every phase from the opening whistle. The Stallions jumped out to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter, fueled by two quick touchdown passes — including a strike to open the scoring and another inside the final minute of the period.
South Pointe expanded the margin to 35-0 by halftime after a 60-yard passing touchdown and continued to relentlessly march downfield in the third and fourth quarters. Backed by three rushing touchdowns in the second half and a ball-hawking defense that picked off multiple Nation Ford passes, South Pointe completed the 56-point shutout as the clock ran out.
