South Carolina ready to host nationally televised football doubleheader

Byrnes, Northwestern, South Pointe and Hoover (Ala.) set to play Saturday in Rock Hill.

Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) head coach Chris Miller feels it, so he knows his team of Rebels certainly do.

"I'm sure they (think about it)," Miller said. "They're kids. I'm an old man and I get excited about being on national TV and being on ESPN. This is just high school football."

But it's high school football at one of the highest levels and it will be played on a national scale this weekend. Rock Hill's District 3 Stadium will host a doubleheader on Saturday with loads of talent and former state championship teams involved playing in South Carolina.

The two games will be shown nationally, as the noon contest between Byrnes and Hoover (Ala.) will air on ESPN and the 4 p.m. game between Rock Hill rivals South Pointe and Northwestern will be shown on ESPNU. Players at Northwestern have been thinking about this week for months.

"They've been excited ever since it was announced. Everyone is excited," Trojans coach Jimmy Wallace said. "With all the negatives that have taken place in the state of South Carolina, this is a tremendous positive to start our new school year."

From teacher furloughs to other layoffs and other cutbacks, Wallace said that this event will help start the school year on the right foot.

South Pointe coach Bobby Carroll knows that having these four teams play in the same stadium is special.

"To have Hoover, Byrnes and Northwestern (in town) all on the same day means it's a great high school football day," Carroll said.

Football in South Carolina has grown on the national level in recent years, as Byrnes rattled off four straight state titles and knocked off several out-of-state teams in the same time frame. Having two more Palmetto State teams garnering national attention is important for this small state.

"I think it's big for South Carolina to bring some more interest to the travel and stuff we're doing," Miller said. "It's interesting to get some other schools involved. They aren't playing out-of-state teams but they're still getting recognition."

Wallace said "It's a huge deal. It's great to draw this type of attention to our area and our state."

South Pointe and Northwestern are located only six miles apart and South Pointe is the third school in the district, with Northwestern and Rock Hill high schools. The lines for the schools were redrawn when South Pointe opened.
The Stallions and Trojans played for the 4A Division II state title in 2008 (with South Pointe winning) and then battled last year in the state semifinals (with the Trojans winning).

"It's happened pretty fast," Carroll said of the success. "The football gods have looked after us. We have had great players and great coaches."

The rivalry has grown quickly, too. That will help the crowd on Saturday but it isn't the only reason fans will show up. There's no college games in the state that day and no other high school games.

"I don't know how you could take it to a higher level," Wallace said. "Obviously, the word ESPN draws a wider range of people."

The South Pointe and Northwestern programs haven't had national exposure like Byrnes, which has played several national or regional games on TV, and Hoover, which was featured on MTV's "Two-A-Days" show.

"You always dream about things like this happening," Miller said. "It's a great chance to show our community and everyone else in the world where we come from. It's still amazing to me that we can do something like this."

5 PLAYERS TO WATCH:

South Pointe's Jadeveon Clowney.

Photo by Tom Lemming

Jadeveon Clowney (South Pointe DL): Clowney's physical attributes have made him one of most sought-after recruits in the nation. Multiple recruiting services have him as the top recruit. He had 162 tackles, including 23 sacks, last season.

Jaylon Denson (Hoover WR): Denson has already committed to Auburn. Last season he only caught 11 passes behind some talented upperclassmen but he's now considered the Bucs' top threat. He won't be the lone Hoover player at Auburn, as defensive back Devin Gaulden has also committed to the Tigers.

Robert Joseph (Northwestern WR): Joseph broke two state records last season — he caught 22 passes in a game against Gaffney to set the single-game mark and his 150 catches is the season mark. He finished last season with 1,834 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.

Shakeem Wharton (Byrnes RB): Wharton (who is related to Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Travelle Wharton) is trying to replace Marcus Lattimore, one of the top recruits last year who is now a South Carolina Gamecock. Wharton rushed 47 times last year for 206 yards and three scores.

Justin Worley (Northwestern QB): Worley has become one of the top passers in South Carolina history. The Tennessee commit has thrown for 8,007 yards in his career and 92 touchdowns. Last season, he completed a state-record 392 passes for 4,366 yards and 42 TDs.

ABOUT THE TEAMS:
Byrnes: The Rebels have been the winningest school in the state since 2000, compiling a 128-16 record with six state titles ('02-'05, '07-'08). They lost a lot of talent from last season's 13-2 team but have six offensive starters and three defensive starters back. The Rebels will miss wide receiver Craig Weick, who is injured. Quarterback Zach Blair threw for 581 yards and six touchdowns last season as a back-up. Senior linebackers Andre Brewton and Bryan Feaster will lead the defense.

Hoover: Since 2000, the Hoover Bucs have won six state championships ('00, '02-'05 and '09) and compiled a 135-12 record. Quarterback Ryan Carter threw for more than 3,188 yards and 34 touchdowns last year. Offensive lineman Brandon Morgan and kicker Larsen Real are returning all-state players. Six starters are back on a defense that posted four shutouts last season.

Northwestern: The Trojans started last season with four straight losses but rattled off eight consecutive wins in region play and in the playoffs before losing in the 4A Div. II state title game. It was the second straight season they'd lost in the finals. They have tons back this season to make another run. Six starters return on each side of the ball, including the secondary of Josh Shelton, Lamar Mitchell and Nicholas Cousar.

South Pointe: This season will be the Stallions' first in the 3A classification (the second-largest division in the state) after four years in 4A. One of the state's newer schools, South Pointe has already seen success, winning the 4A Div. II state title in 2008 and played in the state semifinals last season. The Stallions have a solid defensive front, led by Clowney and Gerald Dixon on the ends. The offense will be led by quarterback Tay Hicklin running the option.