Top 25 Early Contenders high school football team preview: No. 17 Northwestern

Video: Top 25 Preseason Early Contenders - No. 17 Northwestern
View images by photographer Alik McIntosh from his preseason photo shoot with the Trojans


There's an interesting pattern taking place at Northwestern, located at the northern tip of South Carolina, about 25 miles south of Charlotte, N.C.

New head coach David Pierce, a Trojans assistant for the last 28 years, took over for Kyle Richardson, who went 58-13 over five seasons and won two state titles before taking an assistant's job at Clemson. He left after a 2015 state title and 14-1 mark.

In 2010, Richardson also was promoted from his assistant's role after previous coach Jimmy Wallace won a state title.

The Trojans have a good thing going no matter who the man at the top is. At 55, Pierce is well aware of that.

"I don't think I was hired to change a bunch of things," Pierce said. "But I'm still going to be me."

It's not an easy place to maintain a ton of success. Rock Hill's nickname is "Football City, USA."

From a town of 65,000 residents, 18 football players have made it all the way to the NFL, including former Steelers' safety Donnie Shell, Super Bowl champion tight end Ben Watson and current Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, the first overall pick of the 2014 draft.

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Between the city's three high schools — Rock Hill, South Pointe and Northwestern — the region has earned the reputation as one of the hotbeds for the sport.

Besides Watson, Northwestern has produced numerous NFL players including current Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph, Vikings receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, 2010 Gatorade National Player of the year and quarterback Justin Worley (now an NFL free agent) and current Oklahoma State starting quarterback Mason Rudolph.

The Players
Pierce has coached all of them as an assistant and now he'll lead a squad with loads of talent, led by defensive end Logan Rudolph, the younger brother of Mason.

Logan Rudolph, ranked the 304th top senior recruit in the country by 247Sports, is a firm commit to Clemson. Last year the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder had 14.5 sacks.

"Big speed off the ball," said Pierce, who has coached linebackers and offensive and defensive linemen. "Awesome motor. Great hands."

Logan Rudolph, projected as a defensive end, is one of numerous weapons returning along with quarterback Gage Moloney.

Moloney completed 306 of 409 passes for 3,969 yards, 47 touchdowns and just four interceptions last season. The 6-2, 210-pound lefthander also rushed for 506 yards (including sacks) and 16 touchdowns as the Trojans won 14 straight games after opening the season with a 40-31 loss at Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.).

"He makes great decisions," Pierce said of Moloney, who has nine college offers. "You complete 75 percent of your passes, you have to be decisive and accurate. Gage is all of those things."

He's got great receiving options in sophomore Jamario Holley (70 catches, 946 yards, 11 touchdowns) and junior Jordan Starkes (75-1,088-11). Holley was a MaxPreps freshman all-American.

"On top of great speed, he catches the ball and has some moves," Pierce said. "He did a great job as a freshman."

If Moloney doesn't want to throw it more than 30 times a game, he has nifty running back Jerry Howard, who rushed for 1,570 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. The 6-foot, 206-pounder has 16 college offers.

"He has 4.5 speed (in the 40-yard dash) and as solid as they come," Pierce said. "He has the ability to outrun people."

The Keys
It appears the Trojans won't have any trouble scoring points, but with just four defensive starters returning, stopping opponents will be their biggest challenge.

Safety Ali Shockley (96 tackles) is the leading returning tackler while linebacker Caliph Brice (6-2, 210) added 70 tackles last season.

The team opens Aug. 19 with crosstown rival South Pointe. Last season, Northwestern pulled out a 35-34 overtime thriller.

The next three weeks, Northwestern plays perennial state powers Dorman, Byrnes and Spartanburg, which went a combined 35-8 last season.

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The Trojans need to hit the ground running from the opening bell. Pierce is confident he's the right man to lead the troops.

"I'm an older gentlemen," he said. "I still believe in physicality, hard work, loyalty and building the program on a strong work ethic. Still, my main role is to make sure the train stays on the track."