Cornerstone Victory for the Hawks, Hanover Downs Springers
Since opening their doors in 2003, the Hanover Hawks had played the Highland Springs Springers seven times entering Friday’s contest at Highland Springs High School, and seven times the Hawks had come up empty. That is, until this past Friday night.
This time would be different, as Hanover rode a defense that couldn't be pushed around up front and ran step for step with the Springers’ speed on the outside with an offense that wore down the Springer defense on the ground en route to a 28-7 victory.
Defense ruled most of the first quarter as the two squads spent time feeling each other out. Highland Springs gave no second thought to the Hawks aerial attack on the first three Hanover drives, making a conscious effort to stop running back Deane Cheatham and quarterback Sam Rodgers on the ground.
The Hawks finally created some space at the line of scrimmage in the second quarter after Rodgers connected with Blake Underdown for a 19-yard pass. Cheatham would take the next play for five yards on the ground followed by a 45-yard scamper deep into Highland Springs’ territory. While that drive would end with a Cheatham fumble on the next play the tone was set and Hanover would move the football at will against the Springers the rest of the night.
Rodgers opened the scoring late in the second with a five-yard run to cap a 50-yard drive that included a 43-yard run from the sophomore quarterback.
Coming out of the half the Hanover defense made their presence felt physically. On Highland Springs' opening drive the Hawks’ K.J. Weatherspoon captured his first of two interceptions on the night, setting Hanover up at the Springer 26 yard line. Cheatham would capitalize on the field position with a 16-yard touchdown run two plays later to make the score 13-0.
The Hawks continued to imposed their will on defense for the rest of the 3rd quarter, allowing only 14-yards of total offense and forcing another Highland Springs interception that helped build a 19-0 lead entering the fourth.
Highland Spring would get on the board midway through the fourth when a Rodgers pass was deflected at the line and returned for a touchdown and a two point conversion to make the score 19-8.
But the Hanover offense would take the baton entering the fourth and milked the clock by physically pounding away at the Highland Springs defense with Rodgers and Cheatham on the ground.
The Springers’ offense would not run an official offensive play in the final quarter as the home team watched Hanover march down the field for another touchdown followed by recovering a fumble on the kickoff after the score.
With the win Hanover improves to 4-0 and goes from one cornerstone win against the class of the Capital District to another match up with a team that has dominated the district and the Hawks’ the past 7 years.
The Varina Blue Devils will pay Hanover a visit this Friday night. A win would solidify Hanover as more than just a threat to win the Capital District championship in the school’s eighth year of existence.
A.J. Karidis
This time would be different, as Hanover rode a defense that couldn't be pushed around up front and ran step for step with the Springers’ speed on the outside with an offense that wore down the Springer defense on the ground en route to a 28-7 victory.
Defense ruled most of the first quarter as the two squads spent time feeling each other out. Highland Springs gave no second thought to the Hawks aerial attack on the first three Hanover drives, making a conscious effort to stop running back Deane Cheatham and quarterback Sam Rodgers on the ground.
The Hawks finally created some space at the line of scrimmage in the second quarter after Rodgers connected with Blake Underdown for a 19-yard pass. Cheatham would take the next play for five yards on the ground followed by a 45-yard scamper deep into Highland Springs’ territory. While that drive would end with a Cheatham fumble on the next play the tone was set and Hanover would move the football at will against the Springers the rest of the night.
Rodgers opened the scoring late in the second with a five-yard run to cap a 50-yard drive that included a 43-yard run from the sophomore quarterback.
Coming out of the half the Hanover defense made their presence felt physically. On Highland Springs' opening drive the Hawks’ K.J. Weatherspoon captured his first of two interceptions on the night, setting Hanover up at the Springer 26 yard line. Cheatham would capitalize on the field position with a 16-yard touchdown run two plays later to make the score 13-0.
The Hawks continued to imposed their will on defense for the rest of the 3rd quarter, allowing only 14-yards of total offense and forcing another Highland Springs interception that helped build a 19-0 lead entering the fourth.
Highland Spring would get on the board midway through the fourth when a Rodgers pass was deflected at the line and returned for a touchdown and a two point conversion to make the score 19-8.
But the Hanover offense would take the baton entering the fourth and milked the clock by physically pounding away at the Highland Springs defense with Rodgers and Cheatham on the ground.
The Springers’ offense would not run an official offensive play in the final quarter as the home team watched Hanover march down the field for another touchdown followed by recovering a fumble on the kickoff after the score.
With the win Hanover improves to 4-0 and goes from one cornerstone win against the class of the Capital District to another match up with a team that has dominated the district and the Hawks’ the past 7 years.
The Varina Blue Devils will pay Hanover a visit this Friday night. A win would solidify Hanover as more than just a threat to win the Capital District championship in the school’s eighth year of existence.
A.J. Karidis
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