5A Playoffs: Northwestern vs. Hillcrest – Defensive standouts
ROCK HILL, S.C. — Friday night marked the beginning of the first round of the South Carolina high school football playoffs and Prep Redzone SC was on hand for first round 5A Playoff action between Northwestern and Hillcrest. Hillcrest, the…
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Continue ReadingROCK HILL, S.C. — Friday night marked the beginning of the first round of the South Carolina high school football playoffs and Prep Redzone SC was on hand for first round 5A Playoff action between Northwestern and Hillcrest.
Hillcrest, the underdog visitors from Simpsonville, S.C., led 6-0 early in the first quarter but the Trojans exploded for 30 points in the second quarter to rout the Rams 51-21 to advance to the second round of the playoffs against one of the top teams in the state, Dorman next Friday.
Let’s jump into the defensive standouts from Friday’s contest:
Northwestern
2021 DL Kyle Springs-McCottry (6’ 208 lbs.) – The senior defensive end has a motor that is running and that was evident in the second quarter where he was able to elude the left tackle’s block with a good move to force 2023 Hillcrest QB Bennett Judy into an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone for a safety. He made his presence felt throughout the night.
2022 DB Zi’Anthony Whitlock (5’7, 139 lbs.) – Hillcrest had what looked to be from our vantage point an easy completion in the fourth quarter and Whitlock’s play recognition and closing speed on the ball was impressive. If he can keep that performance up, his stock will definitely rise moving forward.
Hillcrest
2021 DE, OLB Mayke Spurgeon (5’8, 198 lbs.) – Hillcrest was determined to take away Northwestern’s ability to run the football and Spurgeon was a big reason why they were able to early. Every time there was an inside running play from the Trojans, he closed in the gaps quickly and had an impressive tackle on an outside run play.
2022 LB Ty Williams (5’5, 165 lbs.) – The junior linebacker was active early in the first quarter, particularly on one play where he recognized the swing screen immediately and made the tackle for loss.
Defensive Players of the Game
Northwestern – 2021 DL Kyle Springs-McCottry (6’ 208 lbs.)
Hillcrest – 2021 DE, OLB Mayke Spurgeon (5’8, 198 lbs.)