Hawks soar past Indians

The Holly Springs Hawks continued to climb the turnaround ladder Friday night.

Coach Clifford Brown’s squad notched its third win of the season, and to make it even sweeter, it came against cross-county rival Byhalia. The Hawks soared to a 58-22 road victory.

“Starting 3-1 is better than 0-4 last season,” Brown said. “We played well. The kids are buying in. We’re still playing a lot of kids and trying to solidify some positions. We just have to take it one day at a time and one game at a time.”

Holly Springs led 14-8 after one quarter. The Hawks’ touchdowns came on an 18-yard pass from Martravion Davis to Taylen Gatewood and a 1-yard quarterback keeper by Davis. Jalen Muse reeled in a 9-yard touchdown reception for the Indians’ score. Each team added a two-point conversion.

The defense started the second-quarter scoring for the Hawks. Karon Finley picked off a pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown. Byhalia responded with a 20-yard touchdown run from David Lewis. The Hawks tacked on two touchdowns, plus the conversions, before halftime to go up 36-14. Davis scored on a 5-yard run and Kyson Isom added a 4-yard touchdown carry.

In the third quarter, Davis scored his third and fourth touchdowns of the night on runs of 1 and 15 yards. Holly Springs converted one of two 2-point attempts to push the lead to 50-14.

Each team scored in the fourth quarter – Tealon Warren on a 3-yard carry for the Hawks and Lewis on a 59-yard run for the Indians. Both two-point attempts were successful.

The Hawks, who had an open date the previous week, bounced back from a Sept. 11 loss to Walnut.

“We didn’t dwell on that loss,” Brown said. “We’re learning how to bounce back from adversity.” Holly Springs opens Region 2-3A competition Friday by hosting Independence (4-1).

“The kids are excited about the opportunity,” Brown said. “A win would put us in the driver’s seat.” The Byhalia Indians (2-3) also begin district play Friday, traveling to face Region 3-4A opponent Senatobia (5-0) in neighboring Tate County.