South Pointe ready to add to its trophy case

Rock Hill – South Pointe played their first varsity football game in 2006, led by 2019 NFL defensive player of the year Stephon Gilmore they won their first AAAA state championship two years (2008) later going 15-0 and since that time the Stallions have become a fixture in state championship games earning their 9th trip in the past 19 years.

The Stallions earned their 9th trip last Friday beating defending upper state champion Westside 40-0. The game was a bit of a revenge game as Westside ended South Pointe’s season last year in the upper state finals 35-14.

“We lost to Westside last year and that has helped motivate this team to get to this game. We have been working hard since January for this moment so I am excited for our kids. They have worked for this and now they get the opportunity to play in this game,” said head coach Bobby Collins.

The Stallions opponent in the AAAA state championship is the defending AAAA state champions the South Florence Bruins (13-1). South Florence is in it’s fourth consecutive state championship games. The Bruins lone loss was to Northwestern 55-35, a team that the Stallions beat 27-23. These team’s met in 2023 with Bruins coming on top 22-19.

The Stallions opened the season with a tough 14-10 loss to Hough High School (13-0) a North Carolina high school. Since that time, they have won 13 straight games.

Coach Collins said the key to the teams success has been, “Our kids got better everyday in practice. We stressed preparation in the weight room, how we practice, how we do our walk through and in the film room. We feel that gives us the best chance to win.”

Coach continued, “We have to win up front, our D-line and O-line need to play well. We expect our skill guys to continue doing what they have been doing all year.”

Leading the Stallions is South Carolina signee J’zavien Currence.  He plays on both sides of the ball and is a force much like Gilmore was in 2008. He is the top ranked player in the state by several recruiting sites and is currently number three on the HSSR top 100. On the year he has accounted for 4261 yards of total offense this season (2764 pass, 1497 rushing) and 42 touchdowns while completing 68% of his throws. He averages 13 yards a carry as well. Defensively, he has a team high four picks to go with 81 tackles.

“J’zavien is a special player. Our first game he did not take any snaps at quarterback. We moved there in game two and our offense took off. In my mind is the 2025 MR. Football in our state,” said coach.

Running back R.J. Brown gives the Stallions another weapon in the running game. He has rushed for 1025 yards and a team high 20 touchdowns.

The Stallions use four wide outs in their offense and they have six receivers with double digit catches on the year. Dailan Duncan is Currence’s top target having caught 61 passes for 873 yards both are team highs. He is second touchdown receptions with 8. Coach Collins said Duncan is on of the team leaders.

The other starting wide outs are Malik Ratliff, Kadin Watkins, and Kadin Vassel. Ratliff leads the team with 9 touchdown grabs and is second in receptions and yards with 36 for 731 yards while Watkins has 26 for 350 yards and Vassel has 13 for 244 yards.

The offensive line is led by another South Carolina signee and the 11th ranked player in the state by the HSSR in Anthony Baxter.  Joining him are Brandon Williams, Jayden Lee, Cevian Douglas, and Tavius Wylie. This group is responsible for over 3400 yards of rushing and 48 touchdowns.

The defense has been nasty and stingy all year and they have played better in the playoffs. During the year they gave up 8.4 points per game. In four playoff games they have allowed only 27 points which is less the 7 points a game.

Leading the defense is defensive end Brysen Ginn and linebacker K.J. Burg. They are one/ two in tackles and tackles for loss with Burg leading in tackles with 150 and Ginn in tackles for loss with 29. Ginn also has a team high 10.5 sacks to lead a defensive unit that had 68 total sacks on the year. The unit also had 218 tackles for loss.

Also along the defensive front are Seth Tillman, Miles Watson, and Hayzon Lumpkin. Tillman and Watson each have 26 tackles for loss on the year. This group has done a great job of controlling the line of scrimmage and will be a key to a Stallion victory.

Daquan Evans and Darien Judge man the other linebacking positions and make plays all over the field. Evans is third on the team in tackles with 92 and Judge is 5th with 72 tackles. They have combined for 30 tackles for loss. Judge forced a team high two fumbles.

Currence is joined in the defensive backfield by Watkins, CJ Wherry, and Zymir Gordon-Miles. They both have two picks on the year.

The place-kicking duties are handled by Lawson Miller and the punting duties are handles by Kaden McClure.

“Leadership, our guys do not run away from it. What makes us different is what we do at practice and the leadership that holds everyone accountable. We might have 100 offers among our players but everyone practices like no one has an offer and they have to prove themselves every day,” said coach Collins about his team.

OFFENSE

QB-J'zavien Currence

RB-R.J. Brown

WR - Malik Ratliff

WR -- Kaden Watkins

WR -- Dailan Duncan

WR -- Kadin Vassel

OL - Brandon Williams

OL -- Anthony Baxter

OL -- Jayden Lee

OL -- Cevian Douglas

OL -- Tavius Wylie

DEFENSE

DE - Brysen Ginn

DE -- Seth Tillman

DT - Miles Wilson

DT -- Hayzon Lumpkin

LB- KJ Burg

LB -- Daquan Evans

LB -- Darien Judge

CB - CJ Wherry

CB -- Kadin Watkins

SS - J'zavien Currence

FS - Zymir Gordon-Miles

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.