Northwestern's 2024 Team????

[TrojanMan]

I have a serious question to ask. Are people not paying attention to Northwestern? I don’t post often, because I enjoy reading all of your comments. Considering its playoff season, I felt this question was worth asking. I’ve seen many comments about Gaffney and Irmo all season as the potential match up for the championship in 5A division 2. When it come to Northwestern, I think a lot of people are sleeping on them. This is a 10-0 team that has demolished just about everyone they played this season. Not to mention pre-season wins against JL Mann, Spartanburg and Dutch Fork. Northwestern’s nonconference schedule was Hough (NC), Ridgeview, South Florence, and South Pointe. That’s a pretty solid resume to me. Call me crazy, but I think Northwestern is the most impressive team in 5A division 2 playoffs this year.

[bigdog2003]

I think people don’t give the Trojans the respect they deserve because Rock Hill is kind of tucked away. Yes it’s a hot bed of football, but isn’t not a “media market” like some other places. Guys that cover games are always at Irmo, Dutch Fork, Gaffney. I rarely see any of them at any Rock Hill schools.

Sometimes it’s good to be the under the radar team. Let people over look you, then make them pay for it when the time comes. Should be some exciting playoffs in every class but 1A.

[DFOLDMAN]

NW is always impressive… until it’s time to win the trophy.
DF and NW played Ridge View a week apart. Both won their games… NW was up on RV 14-13 at the half. DF was up 31-0. NW should be the D2 favorite but can they bring home the big trophy?
Have to wait and see…
I’m an Irmo homer so take this with a grain of salt…the Jackets should have a much easier path through lower state.
Fear The Fox…

[Deputy]

NW is awfully good and I’d figure they are the favorite in lower 5A. But the above poster is right as to how they fly under the radar. They get zero media coverage outside of the local papers and radio. They get hardly any TV coverage because the Rock Hill area falls under the Charlotte TV market. But don’t sleep on them. They are very talented and well coached.

[GoldRanger]

NW is very good. I have them vs TL Hanna in the upper state championship.

[SHS Gamecock Fan]

I have a serious question to ask. Are people not paying attention to Northwestern? I don’t post often, because I enjoy reading all of your comments. Considering its playoff season, I felt this question was worth asking. I’ve seen many comments about Gaffney and Irmo all season as the potential match up for the championship in 5A division 2. When it come to Northwestern, I think a lot of people are sleeping on them. This is a 10-0 team that has demolished just about everyone they played this season. Not to mention pre-season wins against JL Mann, Spartanburg and Dutch Fork. Northwestern’s nonconference schedule was Hough (NC), Ridgeview, South Florence, and South Pointe. That’s a pretty solid resume to me. Call me crazy, but I think Northwestern is the most impressive team in 5A division 2 playoffs this year.

That's how it is. I am a Sumter fan and Sumter never gets much love. Sumter has won region titles under this coaching staff in 2015,2016,2018,2020,2021,2022,2023, and 2024 but gets no love or attention. We have not won the big one since 1990 but we have been there and lost a few times. We have been a consistent programs through the years before this staff also but we never get any love. So I feel where you are coming from.

[NHSTrojan]

Let’s just keep the Trojans of 2024 our little secret. A few comments above are interesting and some true.

Irmo does have a cakewalk through the lower state bracket. I’d also say the same about their schedule other than last week’s L to Dutch Fork. No slight to them on their talent. AJ is an excellent athlete and their 2 receivers are good. They deserve to be in the conversation as among the top teams. Defensively, we will see. Special teams on video Friday looked below average in the kicking game, gave up a lot of field position with punts and kickoffs. Admittedly, they don’t punt much of course.

DF is very strong defensively. Good combo of size (big plus) and speed. If I’m comparing the Trojans defense we have speed edge and slight disadvantage of size to DF. Not sure about Irmo, need to see more tape. Nothing stood out to me defensively watching DF move the ball.

Nothing I have seen from any team in SC has compared to Hough. They have great size, speed and talent on both sides of the ball and strong special teams. I think DF could handle them in a match up, but that’s about it.

Good news/bad news. Trojans and DF don’t play each other. Looking forward to a matchup with Irmo in Orangeburg. Though looking past Gaffney, TL Hanna or a few others in the upper half of the bracket would be a huge mistake.

[DFOLDMAN]

According to MaxPrep
the only teams with a tougher SOS than Irmo are Spartanburg and DF- not that I agree or understand. DF’s defense is faster than they are big- as fast or faster than any other SC team , not just defense overall team speed. Irmo has comparable team speed. NW struggled with RV for a half- RV is not very good. There are several ambush type games on NW’s path to the title game- only one maybe if that for Irmo. Gaffney vs Irmo title game looks like a possibility. My thoughts- no expert opinion just 2 cents per Dfold.

Fear The Fox….

[NHSTrojan]

There are definitely more challenging matchups on the way to Orangeburg in the upper state bracket. If we are looking at struggling with teams in the early season look at Irmo vs 4-6 Butler, OT and should have lost if not for a drop by a wide open receiver at the end of regulation.

All that said, we all love our teams and I love people not loving my team. No argument that DF should be expected to roll through 5A Big and Irmo should do the same through 5A small. The love for Gaffney is fine, they will have to deal with TL Hanna and their funky offense before a trip to Rock Hill is possible. Then Gaffney needs to be 25 points better than last year, it’s possible I suppose. The team that has had most offensive success this year against DF is still Northwestern in a jamboree without game plan prep. I know it doesn’t “count” officially, but both teams competed hard that night.

Please do keep talking up Gaffney, Irmo, and Frankly everyone but Northwestern. We will just play each game as they come because you can’t win the last one without winning the ones in front of it.

[mikey]

Gaffney ain’t got it this year..I only see Hanna, because of that offense ,Irmo, and Spartanburg (which I highly doubt) Summerville( on a lucky night) as challengers to NW and DF..The Indians just can’t seem to run the ball effectively ..seem not to be focused…play calling..all that..too bad..they had a lot of potential..