Defense and big plays earn Knights a victory over Sangamon Valley/Tri-City
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By Sally McCarthy
The Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond Knights football team got off to a slow start in their home season opener against the Sangamon Valley/Tri-City Storm on Friday, Aug. 29. The defense would bend but not break and the offense had some huge plays to put points on the board.
SVTC got the ball first, picked up two straight first downs but stalled at the Knights’ 35 yard line and turned the ball over on downs.
The Knights first play of the season was unfortunately a fumble and the Storm was back in business at the Knights 36. Once again, they ran the ball well, but the ALAH defense stopped them on downs at the 11.
The home offense was forced to punt on their second series and yet again the visitors drove the ball from the Knights 36 to the 19 where they attempted a field goal that was unsuccessful.
ALAH would finally score on three big plays on their next three series. For the first touchdown, quarterback Cruz Hale connected on a 55 yard pass to his twin brother, Cash. The extra point kick by Brayan Martinez was good and the Knights led 7-0 with 9:26 left in the first half.
A sack on the Storm quarterback by Knights defender Easton Frederick on a fourth down play gave ALAH the ball back. Frederick would finish off the drive with a 5 yard touchdown run. Martinez would kick the EP and the red, black, and gold led 14-0 with 4:56 left in the second quarter.
The home defense stepped up on the Storm’s next two possessions with consecutive interceptions by defensive backs Payton Warrior and Marcus Otto. The offense capitalized on those turnovers with Otto at quarterback throwing a 61 yard td pass to Cash Hale for his second touchdown of the first half. After the second pick, Cruz Hale scored on a 3 yard run. Martinez hit 1 of the 2 extra point kicks and the halftime score was 27-0 in favor of the Knights.
The second half start for ALAH was reminiscent of the start of the game. A fumbled snap on their punt attempt gave SVTC the ball at the Knights 32 where they moved it down to the 2 yard line but yet again the ALAH defense forced them to turn the ball over on downs.
The Knights had two more big plays to finish their scoring at 43 with 2:32 left in the third which would mean a running clock for the rest of the game. The first score of the second half was a 4 yard run by Trey Strode. That was set up by a 72 yard run on a first down play by Brennon Hutson. Strode ran in the two point conversion to make the score 35-0. Marcus Otto scored the last touchdown for the home team on a 61 yard QB keeper. Brayden Leech ran in the conversion to give ALAH the 43-0 lead.
Sangamon Valley Tri-City would score twice in the fourth quarter with Broden Gregory scoring on an 18 yard run and quarterback Hill Muir going 42 yards for their last td. Kicker Hunter Martin would kick 1 of 2 extra points to give them their 13 points.
The Knights took a knee three times to run out the clock making the final score 43-13 in favor of the home team.
The Knights will hit the road for their second game of the season when they travel to Oakland to take on the Tri-County Titans. That game will be on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
OFFENSIVE STATS
Rushing – Brennon Hutson, 8 for 84; Marcus Otto, 1 for 57 & 1 TD; Payton Warrior, 5 for 34; Easton Frederick, 4 for 29 & 1 TD; Brayden Leech, 3 for 14; Brayan Martinez, 1 for 12;Trey Strode, 4 for 8 & 1 TD; Dylan Ingersoll, 1 for 2; Cannon Doggett, 1 for -2; Cruz Hale, 3 for -6 & 1 TD; Carson Reed, 4 for -12
Passing – Marcus Otto, 1 for 1, 61, 1 TD; Cruz Hale, 2 for 3, 55, 1 TD
Receiving – Cash Hale, 3 for 116 & 2 TD
DEFENSIVE STATS
Tackles – Easton Frederick, 13; Payton Warrior, 11; Elijah Van Scyoc, 10; Brennon Hutson, 10; Trey Strode, 6; Kaden Herschberger, 6; Jayden Parsons, 5; Mason Thomas, 5; Jackson Lebeter, 5; Brayden Leech, 4; Hayden Ely, 4; Kamden Morfey, 4; Marcus Otto, 3; Josh Taylor, 3; Alex Olivero, 2; Nick Hubster, 2; Edik Arwine, 2; Cash Hale, 2; Brayan Martinez, 1; Tristan Keagle, 1; Daylon Doggett, 1; Jonah Burket, 1; Carson Reed, 1; Bentley Hutson, 1
Tackles for Loss – Easton Frederick, 3; Payton Warrior, 2; Elijah Van Scyoc, 1; Jayden Parsons, 1; Kaden Herschberger, 1; Edik Arwine, 1
Interceptions – Payton Warrior, 1; Marcus Otto, 1
SPECIAL TEAMS STATS
Kick-Offs – Brayan Martinez, 6 for 264; Alex Olivero, 1 for 43
Kick-Off Returns – Daylon Doggett, 1 for 5; Josh Taylor, 1 for 0 (onside kick recovery); Bentley Hutson, 1 for 0 (onside kick recovery)
PATs – Brayan Martinez, 3 for 4
Punts – Brayan Martinez, 1 for 37