Knights football moves to 4-0 with win over Storm

By Editor | September 24, 2024 |

By Sally McCarthy

The Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond football team remained undefeated on the season as they won their fourth game over the Sangamon Valley Tri-City Storm 38-7.

The Knights went primarily with their running game this week gaining 342 yards on 43 carries. Junior quarterback Cruz Hale did complete 2 passes for 48 yards.

In the first half ALAH had four possessions and scored on three of them. For the first score, junior running back Easton Frederick had the first of his three touchdowns in the game on a 6 yard run. Kaden Herschberger would be perfect on his extra point kicks in the game going five for five. His first kick put the Knights ahead 7-0 with 4:21 left in the first quarter. Frederick would pick up his second touchdown after Colin Smith recovered a Storm fumble. On the second play from scrimmage in the series Frederick broke through the defense and took the ball 73 yards for the td. That gave ALAH a 14-0 lead at the 9:57 mark of the second quarter.

On the Storm’s next series, quarterback Hill Muir was picked off by Knights’ defensive back Cash Hale. However, the red, black and gold could not take advantage of the turnover as a bad snap caused them to lose several yards and forced them to punt.

After another SV/TC punt, the Knights put another ball in the end zone on an 18 yard run by junior running back Payton Warrior. With the EP kick the visitors led at the half 21-0.

After deferring at the opening coin toss, ALAH would have the first possession of the second half and they took advantage going on a long drive from their own 40 yard line to the Storm 1. Senior running back Maddix Stirrett powered the ball over the goal line and with the kick the lead was extended to 28-0 with 6:56 left in the third.

Following a SV/TC punt, Cruz Hale threw a 42 yard pass to Frederick that took the ball to the Storm 9, but the drive stalled so the Knights brought in junior kicker Brayan Martinez to attempt his first ever field goal. The 27 yard kick went straight through the uprights and the lead was extended to 31-0.

Sangamon Valley Tri-City would get on the board on their second series of the second half. After driving the ball from their own 28 to the Knights 9. Storm running back Hunter Marsh took the ball into the end zone. He also kicked the extra point and the score with 6:48 left in the game was 31-7 in favor of the Knights.

The Storm attempted an onside kick, but Knight sophomore Marcus Otto recovered the ball and the offense and Frederick were back in business. This time the junior running back would score on the first play from scrimmage and pick up his third touchdown of the contest as he took the ball 53 yards for the score. With 6:30 left in the game ALAH had a 38-7 lead after Herschberger’s fifth EP kick.

The home team had one more possession, but it ended when Frederick recovered a fumble for the Knights. ALAH took a knee twice to end the game.

Week 5 of the season is Homecoming week for ALAH with lots of excitement for the whole student body with dress-up days, contests, games, Macho volleyball, Powder Puff football, the bonfire and parade. This all leads up to the Homecoming game where the Knights will face the Cumberland Pirates. Kickoff at Wilson Field is at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 27.

Game Stats from Week 4 vs. Sangamon Valley/Tri-City

OFFENSIVE STATS

Rushing – Easton Frederick, 10 for 195 & 3 TDs; Payton Warrior, 9 for 62 & 1 TD; Alex Rexroad, 7 for 45; Maddix Stirrett, 6 for 35 & 1 TD; Trey Strode, 6 for 29; Cruz Hale, 5 for -24

Passing – Cruz Hale, 2 of 2 for 48

Receiving – Easton Frederick, 1 for 37; Cash Hale, 1 for 11

DEFENSIVE STATS

Tackles – Maddix Stirrett, 20; Colin Smith, 11; Trey Strode, 9; Easton Frederick, 8; Payton Warrior, 7; Brayan Martinez, 6; Brayden Leech, 5; Mackenley Bowles, 3; Cash Hale, 3; Mason Thomas, 3; Ryan Appleby, 2; Josh Taylor, 2; Kaden Herschberger, 2; Carson Augustine, 1; Brennon Hutson, 1; Marcus Otto, 1; Kamden Morfey, 1; Adam Morgan, 1; Jacob Tighe, 1

Tackles for Loss – Maddix Stirrett, 2; Easton Frederick, 2; Brayan Martinez, 1; Colin Smith, 1

Forced Fumbles – Maddix Stirrett, 1; Easton Frederick, 1

Fumble Recoveries – Colin Smith, 1; Easton Frederick, 1

Pass Break-Ups – Cash Hale, 1

Interceptions – Cash Hale, 1

SPECIAL TEAMS STATS

Kick-Offs – Brayan Martinez, 7 for 264

Kick-Off Returns – Brennon Hutson, 1 for 27; Marcus Otto, 1 for 0 (onside recovery)

Punts – Brayan Martinez, 1 for 36

Punt Returns – Brennon Hutson, 1 for 7

PATs – Kaden Herschberger, 5 for 5

FGs – Brayan Martinez, 1 for 1, 27 yards