Run game leads Hawks to win

Clifford Brown didn’t see the prettiest of performances from his Holly Springs football team Thursday night at H.W. Byers, but his Hawks are certainly flying high after two games.

“It was sloppy, running a lot of kids in and out,” the head coach said. “But 2-0 feels good. I’ll take it. The program is growing, and the kids are growing up. We just need more focus.”

The Hawks turned to the run game more in week two, tallying five touchdowns on the ground in a 38-12 win over the Lions.

Tealon Warren lit up the scoreboard first with a 4-yard run midway through the first quarter. Martravion Davis threw to Antondre Hardaway for the two-point conversion.

Holly Springs upped its lead to 16-0 early in the second period on Davis’ 8-yard keeper to the end zone. Warren cashed in the two.

With 5:45 to go in the first half, the Byers defense came up big. Derrick Malone picked off a pass and returned it 94 yards for a touchdown. A try for two failed.

The Hawks bounced back to take a 24-6 lead to intermission. Kyson Isom rumbled across the goal line from 4 yards out, and Davis tacked on the two.

Holly Springs cushioned its lead with two second-half scores – Taylen Gatewood and Davis on 14- and 8-yard carries, respectively. Warren added a two-point conversion.

The Lions scored on a 6-yard pass from Cassell Vaughn to Malone late in the game.

Coach Brown is excited about the progress of his Hawks, with a roster of almost 40 players.

“The kids understand that if you’re not on the field all the time, there’s bigger fish to fry,” he said. “We need depth by the time we hit district play. I like this group. We have the tools. It’s one day at a time, one practice at a time, and one game at a time.”

Holly Springs hosts Walnut (1-1) this Friday night for homecoming.