ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Matthew Fish kicked a 27-yard field goal as time expired to lift Northwestern to a 34-31 win over Irmo in the Class 5A Division II state championship, denying Irmo its first state title since 1980.
The Yellow Jackets and Trojans were tied at 17 when A.J Brand scored on a 29 run, his second rushing score of the game.
But Northwestern quarterback Finley Polk and receiver Kameron Vance connected on a pair of touchdowns to give the Trojans a 31-24 lead with 4:05 left in the game.
Irmo responded with Brand, the state's Gatorade Player of the Year and Virginai Tech signee, who led the Yellow Jackets on one final scoring drive of the season. Brand went up top to Donovan Murph for the second time in the game. The second touchdown grab by Murph went for 33 yards and tied the game at 31, setting the stage for the Trojans game-winning kick.
Irmo finished the season 12-2, while Northwestern capped off an undefeated season to finish 14-0.