Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008

Worley, Neely lead Northwestern to final

Fast start in first half takes suspense out of Upper State final

ROCK HILL — Behind five touchdown passes from Justin Worley, Northwestern earned its first trip to the state championship game since 2001.

The Trojans rolled past Lancaster, 45-14, in the Class 4A Division II Upper State final at District Three Stadium on Friday.

Jarrett Neely’s 55-yard punt return to the 2 in the first quarter set up Northwestern’s first score, a 1-yard run by Worley.

“I knew I had to make a spark to get us going,” Neely said.

Neely finished with 55 yards rushing, 90 yards receiving and 63 return yards on two punts.

Northwestern, which led 21-0 at the half, held the Bruins without a first down until the third quarter.

Worley, a sophomore playing his first year of varsity football, completed 27 of 37 passes for 351 yards.

“Something has clicked offensively for us in the playoffs,” Worley said.

Lancaster (10-4) avoided the shutout when Derrick Kirkland, the third quarterback used by coach Bennie McMurray, connected with Michael Catoe for a 62-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and a with Timothy Duncan for a 43-yard score in the game’s final minute.

N — Justin Worley 1 run (Shawn Ferguson kick)

Second quarter

N — Cordarrelle Patterson 49 pass from Worley (Ferguson kick)

N — Jarrett Neely 18 pass from Worley (Ferguson kick)

Third quarter

N — Julian Patton 4 pass from Worley (Ferguson kick)

L — Michael Catoe 62 pass from Derrick Kirkland (Anna Funderburke kick)

N — Labris Adams 18 pass from Worley (Ferguson kick)

Fourth quarter

N — Patterson 17 pass from Worley (Ferguson kick)

N — Ferguson 28 field goal

L — Timothy Duncan 43 pass from Kirkland (Funderburke kick)

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