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Hawks can’t hang on versus Jaguars By CLAUDE VINSON
Sports Editor  | Photo by Ronnie Day
Swarming defense
A host of Holly High Hawks surround a Broad Street runner. They are (from left) Eric Hardin (9), Marquaveus Walton (51), Derrick Vaughn (13), Brandon McKinney (18) and Curt Jeffries (53). |
Holly High started this one on defense and went to work immediately. On
Broad Street’s second play, Eric Hardin picked the ball out of the air
and downed it at the 16. Brandon McKinney, calling the shots for the
Hawks, hit Darius Scruggs on an 18-yard slant for six points. Then
Jaren King ran off left end for the two. The Hawks had the first lead
in less than one minute. D. Peterson was signal
caller for the Jaguars. He moved his team within one yard of a first
down and went for it on a fourth and one. The Hawk defense thought they
had foiled the attempt and the officials awarded the ball to Holly
High. But the Broad Street staff showed such vocal opposition that the
officials brought out the chains. The measurement made them reverse
their decision. It was not that beneficial because Dimarrigio Austin
intercepted a Peterson pass and downed it at the Hawk 22. McKinney
called a fake delay and connected with David Bridges with an aerial
that went 82 yards for a score. Austin converted for two more and Holly
High doubled its lead at 16-0. Joe Isom rushed
down field and got a stop on the Jaguars’ return man but Peterson used
the option and Willie Bingham made a long run to the Hawk 2. Peterson
sneaked it over from there. The try for two was good and the score was
16-8 still in the first quarter.  | Photo by Ronnie Day
Wrapping up a Cougar
Holly High’s DeVonte’ Harris (17) and Ronnell Boyland (22) team up to tackle a Broad Street ball-carrier. |
After the kick,
the Hawks fumbled and the Jags recovered. Then the Jags fumbled and the
Hawks recovered McKinney got into trouble in his backfield,
successfully scrambled out and got a first at the Broad Street 35. The
quarter ended with Holly High threatening at the 16. McKinney faked the
hand off, looked to his right and followed his blockers to paydirt. The
Hawks couldn’t manage the two-point conversion but had a healthy lead
at 22-8. The Hawks were applying pressure at
every down. Forced to punt, Cordarius James had a bad snap from the Jag
center, chased it down and kicked on the run. The ball went to the Hawk
40. Holly High’s offense stalled and the ball went back to Broad Street. After
a couple of plays, Peterson hit Cordarius James on a fake delay and he
went 27 yards for the score. Their conversion try was no good but the
Jaguars had closed the gap to 22-14. The Hawks
drew a dead ball personal foul and punted after they failed to make up
the lost ground. But Broad Street was also having trouble with its
offense and had to give it up on downs while trying to convert a fourth
and 15 from the 25. The half ended 45 seconds later with the Hawks
still on top 22-14. Holly High received to start
the second half but had to punt. Eldridge Milan hit a boomer which took
a Hawk bounce and pinned the Jaguars deep in their own territory. They
went to the ground game and their backs were hitting the slots and
picking up yards. At one point they turned two consecutive firsts and
were inside the red zone. They shook off a quarterback sack and
gambled on a fourth and 7. Peterson found his tight end Devante James
for six. Bingham hit the slot for two more which tied the score 22-22. Holly
High was experiencing difficulty in sustaining ground-producing drives
and had to punt. Peterson saw Bingham all alone out in the flat and it
was clear sailing all the way. Peterson pulled off a textbook and
walked in for the extra points, taking the lead for the first time at
30-22. It was tough sledding but Holly High
turned four consecutive firsts, all on the ground. The third quarter
ended with the Hawks in possession and trailing by eight points. After
the change in directions, they gave it up on downs. Holly
High’s offense had broken down in the second half but the Jaguars were
not letting up. They scored two more TDs with one two-point conversion
to make the final score 44-22. Coach Marcus Autry said a solid first half followed by a poor second half has plagued his team for two weeks straight. “We
have to work and get over the hump,” he said. “We have to keep the gas
on the pedal. We’re getting better. I see signs of having a good
football team.” The Hawks will open up district play this Friday, Oct. 1, at Independence. |
