Northwestern after second consecutive AAAAA Division II state championship
Trojans in a rematch with Irmo, which it beat in a 34-31 thriller last year
Rock Hill – Playing in a third state championship game in the last four seasons, the Northwestern High Trojans seek a second straight AAAAA Division II title when they face Irmo on Dec. 5 at Oliver C. Dawson in Orangeburg.
The 2025 championship game is a rematch of a classic game with Irmo in the 2024 finals. Northwestern won that game, 34-31, on a field goal by Matthew Fish as time expired. The championship was the sixth in school history and came two years after the Trojans lost to South Florence in the AAAA championship game. It was Northwestern’s first championship since 2015.
Northwestern head coach Page Wofford has built the program into one of the top programs in the state, posting a 57-8 record since 2020. He hopes to repeat as a state champion but realizes the challenge his team will face from Irmo.
“They are very talented, a really good, well-coached football team,” Wofford said. “They really spread the ball around on offense with really good skill people. Their defense is sound and athletic. In some ways they are as good or better than last year and that team last year was very good as well. We are excited for this opportunity but it is a challenge.”
Northwestern entered this season with holes to fill, particularly at quarterback and on the defensive line. The season started off well as the Trojans notched early wins against a tough non-region schedule that included wins over Spartanburg, Ridge View and South Florence. The lone loss this season came to city rival South Pointe, the top-ranked team in AAAA and playing South Florence for the AAAA state championship.
“We came into the season with a bunch of new players. We won those first three games but South Pointe brought us back down to earth and woke us up,” Wofford said. “We realized some things we needed to work on. That’s why we play the tough non-region schedule. Those early games prepare us for what the playoffs are like. It’s a credit to our players and how hard they worked to just continue to improve.”
Since the loss, the Trojans have scored more than 50 points eight times and enter the finals averaging 40 points per game overall. The defense continued to improve as they gained experience. Northwestern scored 14 touchdowns on defense and special teams on the season.
The hole at quarterback was capably filled by junior Xavier Means, who brings a true dual-threat option to the backfield. Means has completed 75 percent of his passing attempts, totaling 2,687 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also has rushed for a team-high 1,179 yards and 23 more scores.
“Not only does he have the physical tools but he’s also a smart kid and a great leader,” said Wofford.
Senior Nigel Smith, who began the season third on the depth chart, took over as the lead back due to injuries. He has rushed for 1,130 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Senior Kameron Vance returned as one of the top receivers in the state and has caught 79 passes for 944 yards and 11 touchdowns. Senior Jonathan Spurgeon has 46 catches for 466 yards and seven touchdowns while senior Evan Harrison has 35 catches for 351 yards and senior David Flood has 35 catches for 462 yards. Junior Payton Vining adds 32 receptions for 358 yards and five scores.
The offensive line was the most experienced area on the team when the season began and has been very consistent throughout the season. Forming that unit are junior Beau Chumley, senior Noah McCoy, senior Chris Coleman, sophomore Shaq Aghenebit and senior Nasir Hannah.
“We’ve managed to stay fairly healthy and they have been as good as we thought they would be,” Wofford said.
Defensively, linebacker Kamerin McFadden is the top tackler with 99 total hits, including 19 tackles for loss. Linebacker Jeremiah Cannon has 70 tackles and safety Tamarrion Watkins, who will be at Texas A&M, has 77 tackles. Defensive back Jayden Baxter has 66 tackles and defensive lineman Malik Darby has 62 tackles with 18 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.
The defense has racked up 111 tackles for loss, 37 sacks and 14 interceptions in 13 games. Other defensive starters include Nolan McKinnon, Kobe Neely and Tristan Hall up front; Amarion Coleman at linebacker; and Josh Singleton and Jaylen Richardson in the secondary.
Handling the placekicking duties is Alex Bendt, who has converted 76 of 77 extra point kicks and 14 of 18 field goal attempts. Means handles punting duties.
Offensive Starters
OL – 59 – Beau Chumley
OL – 64 – Noah McCoy
OL – 78 – Chris Coleman
OL – 75 – Shaq Aghenebit
OL – 76 – Nasir Hannah
QB - 5 - Xavier Means
RB - 4 – Nigel Smith
WR - 3 – Kameron Vance
WR - 8 – Jonathan Spurgeon
WR – 14 – David Flood
WR – 18 – Payton Vining
PK – 31 – Alex Bendt
Defensive Starters
DL – 21 – Malik Darby
DL – 92 – Tristan Hall
DL – 93 – Kobe Neely
DL - 6 - Nolan McKinnon
LB – 33 – Kamerin McFadden
LB - 9 - Amarion Coleman
LB – 13 – Jeremiah Cannon
DB - 1 – Tamarrion Watkins
DB – 10 – Jayden Baxter
DB – 12 – Jaylen Richardson
DB - 2 - Josh Singleton
P - 5 - Xavier Means
State Championships
At Oliver C. Dawson Stadium
In Orangeburg
Friday, December 5
3A
Belton-Honea Path (14-0) vs. Oceanside Collegiate (12-2), 12:06 p.m.
1A
Lamar (12-2) vs. Bamberg-Ehrhardt (14-0), 4:06 p.m.
5A Division II
Northwestern (12-1) vs. Irmo (12-1), 7:36 p.m.
Saturday, December 6
4A
South Pointe (13-1) vs. South Florence (13-1), 12:06 p.m.
2A
Strom Thurmond (12-2) vs. Hampton County (11-3), 4:06 p.m.
5A Division I
Dutch Fork (11-1) vs. Summerville (12-2), 7:36 p.m.
