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Published: Monday, Aug. 13, 2012 / Updated: Monday, Aug. 13, 2012 01:27 PM

Fort Mill, Indian Land lead the way in Battle of the Border

FORT MILL -- 

The fourth annual Battle of the Border scrimmage at Bob Jones Stadium on the campus of Fort Mill High kicked off just like the 2011 version – under ominous clouds.

However, the clouds parted and the sun came out as the evening wore on.

After the majority of the 2011 scrimmage got rained out, hopes were high that that the four teams from North Carolina and four teams from South Carolina playing each other would be able to get this year’s scrimmage in. Each game consisted of a regulation half.

South Carolina was able to run through the Tar Heel state winning 47-23 as Fort Mill High scored the most points – 17 – and put on a show in front of the home crowd.

Indian Land 10, Harding 6

The first match-up featured Indian Land and Harding High as the Rams strolled off the bus from Charlotte with about 10 minutes before kick-off – just enough to stretch and get loose.

The Warriors forced a turnover on their second series to give the offense good field position at Harding’s 29-yard line. Junior running back Terrell White soon broke free for a 15-yard touchdown run to put the South Carolina teams up 7-0 after the extra point.

Indian Land went to the air on the next offensive series and made up significant ground after starting at its own 35-yard line.

Smith had runs of nine and 18 yards to pick up first downs and junior quarterback George Morris hit Conner Butler and Chris Barnes for first downs as well on passes of 15 and 12-yards, respectively. However, Indian Land couldn’t punch it in once it got within the 10-yard line. Warriors’ kicker Chad Thomas was able to convert on a 19-yard field goal.

Harding’s Brian Brooks put the Rams back in it by returning the kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, but couldn’t get any more offense going as they would struggle to stop the Warriors.

Country Day 10, Nation Ford 8

Neither team looked too impressive to start the third scrimmage as Nation Ford squandered an opportunity early as junior quarterback Dalton Helms made his debut as a starter for the Falcons.

Country Day tried to make the most of its opportunity as it marched down the field and kicked a 36-yard field goal to up 3-0 with about 5:30 left in the opening quarter. Senior quarterback Michael Radford connected on two passes, one of them a 24-yard strike to senior Tripp Mulligan, which set up the field goal.

Nation Ford struggled to get it into the end zone as penalties cost the offense during an early drive.

Starting in very poor field position at its own five-yard line, Country Day was able to make up ground quickly as Radford hit junior Stukie Phillips on a 51-yard bomb on the second play of the drive putting them in Nation Ford territory.

Country Day kept that momentum going into the second quarter as Radford threw for a 13-yard touchdown to put the Bucs up 10-0.

Nation Ford was finally able to punch the ball in the end zone with about five minutes left as senior Daniel Jackson scored from three yards out. His score would be set up by Helms hitting senior receiver Dijuan Ussery on a 42-yard pass to get into the red zone.

Helms struggled at times despite throwing for 136 yards and going 10-23; He also tossed three interceptions.

Fort Mill 17, South Meck 0

To start the night’s final scrimmage, Fort Mill came out running and scored in six plays – all runs – as senior Tony Godbolt scored from five yards out.

Junior Deryan Sanders moved the Jackets down the field with a big 22-yard run to get them into scoring position.

Fort Mill quarterback Rylan Wells, making his debut for the Jackets as a starter, worked his legs out by rushing for 53 yards on six carries.

In fact, the Jackets threw just one pass in the opening quarter – an incompletion.

The Jackets’ defense did well, swarming South Meck as the Sabers kept the ball on the ground for much of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Godbolt led Fort Mill on its first drive as he picked up a big first down on an 18-yard run. Wells also had a ground-churning, 20-yard run to pick up a first down.

Fort Mill couldn’t score with a touchdown, but Wells was able to kick a 33-yard field gold to extend the Jackets’ lead.

South Meck fumbled its first possession of the second half after the Jackets’ field goal giving Fort Mill the ball at the 16-yard line.

Sanders then rushed in from a yard out after getting to the goal line on a 14-yard run the play before as Fort Mill went up 17-0.

Lancaster defeated Myers Park 12-7 in the other scrimmage of the event.