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Hawks lose district opener By BARRY BURLESON
Editor  | Photo by Barry Burleson
Keeper
Holly High quarterback Brandon McKinney (18) keeps for a good gain Friday at Independence. |
It was a frustrating night flag-wise for Holly High Friday at Independence. The Hawks were penalized 16 times in their district opener but kept battling, only to lose 27-19 to the Wildcats. “I
don’t know if I’ve ever seen that many penalties,” coach Marcus Autry
said. “But we’re not going to make excuses. You still have to score
more than the other team. Independence played a good ball game and won. “We made mistakes and didn’t capitalize when we needed to.” The Hawks found themselves pinned deep in their own territory all of the first quarter. Independence,
which had only five penalties in the game, cashed in a 44-yard drive at
the 5:10 mark of the first. Courtney Wilkins scored on a 5-yard run.
The extra-point kick was no good. Later in the opening period and early in the second quarter the Holly High defense came up with big stands.  | Photos by Barry Burleson
Swarming defense
Holly High’s Tyjae Jones (60), Curt Jeffries (53) and James Williams (52) swarm a Wildcat runner. |
The
Wildcats, after an interception had a first and goal at the 8. A run,
accompanied by a face-mask flag on the Hawks, moved the ball to the 2.
Holly High pushed Independence back to the 5 and held on fourth and
goal from there. On the Wildcats’ next
possession, they decided to go for a first down on fourth and inches at
the Holly High 11. But the Hawks’ Curt Jeffries hit the ball-carrier
for a 1-yard loss. Midway through the second
quarter Holly High cranked up an 86-yard scoring drive, thanks in large
part to the play of quarterback Brandon McKinney. He ran for 13 yards
and a first down early in the possession. Two plays later Jaren King
broke free and sprinted for what looked to be long scoring run. But it
was called back for holding. McKinney then kept for 17 yards and a
first and later threw to Dimariggio Austin for 12 yards and another
first. McKinney’s hot hand continued with a 22-yard strike to Nick
Walker and a throw to Lexter Mull, who broke a couple of tackles and
scored on the 20-yard pass play. Brandon Galloway’s kick put the Hawks
up 7-6. The lead did not last long. Morris Malone
returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards for an Independence touchdown. A
try-for-two failed. The Hawks had a good shot at
more points to close the half. McKinney found an open Walker over the
middle for a 52-yard gain to the Wildcat 25. Holly High reached the 16
but couldn’t convert on a fourth and 1. The Hawks
did regain the lead early in the second half. From the Independence 30,
McKinney kept the ball up the middle, broke some tackles and dragged a
Wildcat a few yards into the end zone. The extra-point kick missed the
mark, and the Hawks were up 13-12 with 11:24 to go in the third. The
Hawks got the ball back quickly, thanks to a big hit and an
Independence fumble on the kickoff return which Marquaveus Walton
recovered. But they couldn’t cash in - hampered by two 15-yard
penalties.  | Hawk TD
Lexter Mull (14) heads to the end zone after a catch. |
Late in the third, Wildcat quarterback
Shane Tutor tossed to Malone, who got loose for a 34-yard touchdown.
The same two teamed up for the two-point conversion. The Hawks were
flagged three times in the Independence drive, one of those declined by
the Wildcats on the touchdown strike. Independence
padded its lead with 1:02 to go in the game. Denicko Simmons picked off
a pass and returned it 46 yards for six points. Malone kicked the extra
point. But the Hawks did not die. McKinney scrambled and launched a bomb for Austin, who made the catch for a 66-yard score. A try-for-two was not successful. Holly High then attempted an onside kick which the Wildcats recovered. “Our
kids fought hard,” said Coach Autry. “I’m proud of them. We’re getting
close to turning things around. We just have to keep working.” McKinney, who the coach selected as the Hawks’ most valuable player for the game, rushed for 91 yards and passed for 212. Walton and Jeffries “played well” on defense, Coach Autry said. Walton had 12 tackles and Jeffries 11. The Hawks (1-5) play district opponent Ruleville Friday night at Sam Coopwood Park for homecoming. |
