Rock Hill Celebrates a Thrilling State Championship Victory
Rock Hill, SC – In a thrilling showdown at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, the Northwestern Trojans secured their sixth state football championship, defeating the Irmo Yellow Jackets 34-31 on Saturday night. The game was a nail-biter, showcasing an undefeated season for the Trojans, who finished with a perfect record of 14-0.
Game Highlights and Key Performances
As the clock ran down, the atmosphere intensified. Senior kicker Matthew Fish delivered the winning moment with a 27-yard field goal that soared above the uprights as time expired. Fish expressed his emotions following the game, saying, “This is the best night of my life. I love being with these guys, and I’m gonna remember this forever.” His decisive kick capped off an impressive outing by quarterback Finley Polk, who threw for 427 yards and four touchdowns.
The excitement started early, with senior Andre Pickett recovering a fumble on Irmo’s first offensive play. This led to a quick scoring drive, where Polk connected with senior receiver Tadarrian Knox for an 8-yard touchdown, giving the Trojans a 7-0 lead. However, the Yellow Jackets, led by Virginia Tech-bound quarterback A.J. Brand, answered back with a touchdown pass to Donovan Murph, leveling the score at 7-7.
A Rollercoaster of Scores
Before halftime, Polk and Knox teamed up again, resulting in another touchdown that put Northwestern ahead. Irmo responded with a field goal, but the Trojans maintained a narrow 17-10 lead as they entered the second half. The back-and-forth scoring continued, with Brand rushing into the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown, tying the game at 17-17 entering the fourth quarter.
With just under five minutes left, Polk found junior receiver Kameron Vance for an 8-yard touchdown, giving the Trojans a 31-24 lead. But the excitement didn’t stop there as Irmo’s Brand threw a last-minute 33-yard touchdown pass to Murph to even the game once again.
The Thrill of Victory
Despite the high-pressure situation, the Trojans remained composed. Head coach Page Wofford had envisioned this moment during practice, predicting a tough battle that would come down to the final plays. His experience paid off as Fish’s kick secured the state title.
Wofford reflected on the hard work and determination that the team has displayed throughout the season, stating, “Our standard is the best. We talk about playing to our standard all of the time.” He emphasized the importance of the team’s unity and the resilience shown during the game.
The Importance of This Championship
This championship marks Northwestern’s first title since 2015 and shows a promising direction for a program that has now reached two state championship games in three years. Irmo, which had not seen a championship game since 2006, put up a fierce fight but ultimately fell short, concluding their season with a 12-2 record.
As the celebrations continue in Rock Hill, the Trojans have set a high bar for next season, with players expressing excitement about repeating their successful run. Vance shared the sentiment, saying, “This will feel good for like a month — but then it’s back to work to getting back here next year, undefeated again.”
The night will be remembered as a historic moment for the Northwestern Trojans, a testament to their perseverance and teamwork on the field.
