Chargers seek first state title

NORTHWOODS VS. THOMAS SUMTER

Northwood Academy has fielded a varsity football team for five years, played a SCISA schedule for three years and is playing in its second state championship game. The only thing left for the little school that could is to win its first state championship.

The Chargers can do just that with a victory over Thomas Sumter in today's SCISA Class AA title game. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Orangeburg Prep.

Stoots

Many of even the die-hard Northwood boosters might have laughed when the school announced it planned to compete in football. Now, those boosters cheer. The team might have been a little star struck when the Chargers lost to Hilton Head Christian in the 2006 title game.

"I think there's a little more determination this year," said Northwood coach Jerry Stoots, who helped create the program. "Last time, I think they were tickled to be there. At that time, we lost to a very good Hilton Head Christian team and we were happy to be there. This year, they are a little more focused. They want to finish it off. Whether we can or not remains to bee seen. But the attitude is different that it was the last time."

Stoots said approximately 12-15 players on this year's roster were on the sidelines for the '06 title game. But only one, Justin Tretera, was a starter. He's had a big season, with 22 catches for 367 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 400 yards. He leads the team with 96 tackles.

He's not the only weapon in the Chargers' arsenal. Uriah Singleton has rushed for 2,100 yards and 31 touchdowns, while Brandon Stoots has 1,375 yards and 16 touchdowns passing.

Northwood already owns a 35-14 victory over Thomas Sumter in the regular season.

Singleton had a big game with 218 yards and four touchdowns on only 16 carries, while Cameron Gilbert and Tretera combined for 15 tackles.

"That was probably one of our better games of the season," Stoots said. "I don't know what it's worth at this point in the season. It makes preparing for them a little more difficult because of the revenge angle. We've looked at video of them, and they've obviously improved since then. They've defeated both Hilton Head teams. They beat Hilton Head Christian 46-21. We put up only 17 points when we played Hilton Head Christian."

	E-mail story
	Printer-friendly version
	Comments
	iPod friendly
	Text alerts to your cell phone
	Get daily news e-mailed to you
	Subscribe to the Post and Courier