MaxPreps 2013 Preseason Xcellent 25 Football preview: No. 22 Northwestern

When Justin Worley was a senior, Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.) was one of the nation's top teams, bar none. The 6-foot-5 quarterback surgically picked apart opposing defenses as Northwestern captured a state title and finished 15-0.

The 2013 Northwestern squad looks eerily similar to the 2010 team and could have the pieces for another superb season.

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In his third year as the team's starting quarterback, Oklahoma State commit Mason Rudolph should display his mastery of head coach Kyle Richardson's offense. Last season, he threw for a whopping 4,010 yards and 41 touchdowns versus only seven interceptions.



With junior receiver Dupree Hart and 6-4 senior Mustafia Love back, Rudolph could improve on those already gaudy numbers. Cory McCrory, a 6-3 sophomore, could also factor into the team's receiving corps.

Defensively, the team's secondary should be outstanding. Corey Seargant, Brayon McCoy and Jacquavious MacKey all return for the Trojans.

The team's linebackers will also be strong, as senior Russell Hubbs and junior Gabe Greshman both return.

Over Northwestern's last three games, the defense allowed on average nearly 30 points, including 31 in an overtime loss to Greenwood in the state finals. The team's quick-strike offense lends itself to high-scoring games. Still, Northwestern's defense needs to improve if it will hold off the likes of Gaffney and Byrnes.

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Local look: "I grew up in Rock Hill, S.C., the best little football town/city in America, a distinction that was punctuated once again with this year's NFL Draft and will be again next year when the 2014 Draft arrives."
- Chris Low, ESPN.com
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Size: Class 4A-Divison II




Enrollment: 1,800 (Approx.)


2012 finish: 12-3; Class 4A-II runner-up


Head coach: Kyle Richardson


Years at school: 5 (2 as head coach)


Career record: 20-8


Notable players coached:
QB Justin Worley (Tennessee)



WR Cordarelle Patterson (Tennessee, NFL)

TE Jared Cook (South Carolina, NFL)
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No. of returning starters: 8 (offense), 7 (defense)

Key losses:
DB Jakari Golden

WR Rontavious McClure

RB LaThomas Long

Key returners:
QB Mason Rudolph



WR Dupree Hart

WR Mustafia Love

DB Corey Seargant

DB Brayon McCoy

Key newcomers:
RB Julian Shockley

WR Cory McCrory
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Toughest game: A brutal early-season schedule that includes Gaffney and Charlotte Catholic is punctuated by a Sept. 13 showdown with traditional power Byrnes.



Question mark: Can the team's defense, especially the defensive line, get the job done against the state's top teams? The offense will almost certainly put points up each week. The defense will need to play its part as well.

Local outlook: Richardson believes that the state rankings will work themselves out in the first month, as Northwestern plays both Gaffney and Byrnes, both of whom should be strong in 2013. In Class AA, Dillon is absolutely loaded, and could probably take out schools much larger than itself.

Overall outlook: Northwestern stands out at South Carolina's top team, at least starting the season. However, it will need to earn that ranking, as it goes up against many of the state's top teams in the early part of its schedule. Regardless, Northwestern will be in the state title mix at the end of the season. If it survives the early part of the season, it will be contending for a high finish nationally as well.

Coach quote: "We threw him in the fire his sophomore year. He struggled early but got better, and last year he just blew it up. And that's where we got to today."
- Head coach Kyle Richardson, to the Oklahoman, on Oklahoma State commit Mason Rudolph
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