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Hawks fall to Palmer By BARRY BURLESON
Editor Holly High had its chances Friday night at Marks but couldn’t pull out a victory. The
Hawks led 12-10 in the third quarter, fell behind 16-12 at the end of
that period and then gave up 14 unanswered points in the fourth. They
fell 30-12 to Palmer and ended the season with a 1-9 record. “They came out and tried to run over us,” coach Marcus Autry said. “They were a lot bigger than us. “But I’m proud of our guys. They fought and did not give up. I think we shocked Palmer.” Holly High, up by two in the third, had a chance to add to its lead, but fumbled. “That changed the momentum of the game,” Coach Autry said. “Then
they scored on a couple of big plays. You can’t be in the wrong place
on defense versus the option. Everybody has a responsibility. We were
just out of place a couple of times.” Dimariggio Austin scored both touchdowns for the Hawks – on catches of 40 and 30 yards. Coach Autry said Eric Hardin, who just recently made the move to tailback, “ran the ball well.” Also, Curt Jeffries had a big ball game from his defensive lineman position. “He had two huge plays that created turnovers,” Coach Autry said. He said the rebuilding of the Hawks is a work in progress. “Our young kids got some valuable experience this season, which will be good for us on down the road,” he said. The key to the future is the weight room. “We have to get stronger,” Autry said. “The weight program is crucial. “Our
players have to understand that you can’t just come out for football
when school starts (in the fall). We cannot compete in our 3A league
and not be strong. We’re going against schools that have always had
successful football programs. Our kids have to commit themselves to the
weight room.” The Mississippi High School
Activities Association will redistrict schools for next season. Coach
Autry said Holly High will most likely stay in Class 3A, but he hopes
the district alignment will be different. “We
hope there are some changes,” he said, “so we don’t have so far to go.
Plus it’s hard to build rivalries with schools that are so far away.” The Hawks’ current district foes include Ruleville, Cleveland East Side, Palmer, Charleston and Independence.
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