|
|
|||||||
|
 |
|||||||
Cards flustered by HawksPosted Tuesday, October 13, 2009 by Mariett Daily Journal  POWDER SPRINGS - Third-ranked Hillgrove kept its undefeated romp alive Friday, defeating Osborne, 34-17, behind a stout defense and a solid rushing game.The Hawks were efficient, if not exciting, on offense throughout the Region 7AAAA (B) game, but it was the defense which stole the show at Cardinal Stadium. "Our defense has been playing well all year," Hillgrove coach Phil Ironside said. "They did a good job, and they gave us good field position, and they stopped the run in some difficult field conditions (Friday)." Hillgrove (6-0, 3-0) held Osborne (2-4, 0-2) to just 34 yards in the first half - while totaling 226 for themselves - and it flustered the previously stout Osborne running game all night long. The final statistics painted the picture of a blowout, though the score may not have indicate such. Hillgrove finished with 446 total yards, while Osborne managed only 169. Ironside was not pleased with the offense, but said a win is a win. "Our offense was not very good. Penalties, turnovers and runs called back hurt us, but we got a win and we'll take it and go onto next week and play Sprayberry." If it were not for the Cardinals' opportunistic defense, the game might have been over early. Osborne's defense contributed eight of the 10 points scored after forcing Hillgrove into a first-half safety and Niles Redd's 32-yard fumble return for a score in the third quarter. Redd added an interception later in the game. Hawks quarterback Synjyn Days had a relatively quiet day by his standards, rushing for 131 yards and one touchdown on nine carries. He was 6-of-17 passing for 107 yards and two more touchdowns. There was a scary moment for Hillgrove, however, when Days took a vicious hit on fourth down in the third quarter. While Days did not appear to be injured, he was replaced by junior Gage Henry. Days did return, however, after sitting out a long drive that ended in Henry throwing an interception at the Cardinals' goal line. Upon his return, Days quickly re-established his dominance, taking the Hawks down the field for a touchdown and a comfortable 34-10 lead. Ironside said there was nothing to Days' absence. "He's fine," he said. "We needed to get all of the kids some reps because we lost a kid last week to a shoulder, so we wanted to get (Henry) some reps." That was the last action Days saw on the night. Hillgrove running back Kenyan Drake also had an impressive night, opening the game with a 49-yard catch and adding a 65-yard scamper for a third-quarter touchdown. He finished with 128 total yards on the night. Hillgrove won't have too much time to savor the win, however, as it faces hosts Sprayberry next week in a battle of first-place teams. "We've got to take care of business next week," Ironside said. "We've got Sprayberry coming, and they are the region champ, and we haven't beaten them yet."  |
|
|