Northwestern Overwhelms Irmo To Win Their Seventh Title
By Neill Kirkpatrick
Special to the HSSR
Orangeburg – After last season’s instant classic in the AAAAA DII state championship game between Northwestern and Irmo many were looking for the same in Friday night’s contest but as coaches will tell you each year is different and this game was as the Trojans scored 35 unanswered points in the second quarter to win their seventh state title 55-13.
The Trojan’s evened their state championship record at 7-7 but this was the first time they had gone back-to-back. They also became just the 16th team in state history with 7 or more state championships joining area rival South Pointe in that group.
“To do something that had not been done at Northwestern, I’m still in a bit of shock over it” said head coach Paige Wofford. “This goes beyond description. I never thought that the game would have gone like that. I’m so proud of our players. We had a bunch of new guys when the season started. They worked hard and continued to improve each week and this is the end result.”
The Yellow Jackets were looking to win their first state championship since 1980 but this game was all about “Murphy’s Law” for them as nothing they did could turn the tide and stop the Trojan’s in the second quarter.
“Sometimes things don’t go your way but you still have to stand by the road,” said Irmo head coach Aaron Brand. “This game doesn’t take away the accomplishment of the season or the last three years. This group has won 37 games in that time which is the best three-year span in school history.”
Brand continued, “The team didn’t quit and played hard all night. I’m proud of their effort and fight. This game was a teaching moment. Despite the outcome of the game the sun will come up tomorrow.”
The Trojan’s scored on their first two drives of the game going 59 yards and 46 yards to go up 14-0. Xavier Means capped off both drives with runs of three and two yards, respectively. Means hit David Flood for a 29-yard gain on the first drive and then connected with Kameron Vance for 25 yards on the second drive.
Irmo would take their second drive and go 84 yards in 13-plays to cut into the Trojan lead at 14-6. Maleek Miller would finish the drive with a three-yard touchdown run. The drive was aided by two pass interference penalties on the Trojan. The touchdown brought the Irmo crowd to it’s feet and the Yellow Jackets were back in the game. Then the second quarter began!
The Trojan’s began the second quarter by finishing off a 74 yards drive when Mean’s scored his third touchdown of the night from the eight. The score mad it 21-6 Trojans and then the roof fell in on the Yellow Jackets.
Irmo punted and the Trojan’s Jonathan Spurgeon returned it 34-yards to the Yellow Jackets 28. Two plays later Means hit Flood from 14 yards out. Then Tamarion Watkins (Texas A&M signee and 17th ranked player by HSSR) stepped in front of a Dre Dopson pass and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown. Score 35-6.
Next Vance blocked a Irmo punt and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown. The onslaught ended after an Irmo fumble at the 50-yard line which was recovered by Kobe Neely. Means connected again with Flood on a 35-yard pass that gave the Trojan’s a first and goal at the Irmo three. Means finished the drive and the onslaught with a one-yard run and the teams went to the half with Trojan’s lead at 49-6.
The Trojan’s Mean’s and Vance hooked up from 10 yards and for Irmo Dopson hit Ethan Singletary from 12 yards out to finish out the scoring. The second half was played with a running clock.
Means finished the game going 14-17 for 188 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 60 yards and four touchdown. Nigel Smith rushed for 104 yards and Flood had six receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown.
For Irmo, Dopson was 12-26 for 124 yards while Amire White rushed for 102 yards. Miller had 6 receptions for 64 yards.
