Hawks Soar Past N.C. Wesleyan In USA South Opener

ROCKY MOUNT, NC.- Following their week two bye, Huntingdon football(1-1 overall, 1-0 USA South) traveled to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, where they defeated the Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan University(0-3 overall, 0-1 USA South) 49-28 behind the arm of freshman quarterback, Jake White.

How it happened

First Quarter

Following a three and out from the Battling Bishops to open the game, Huntingdon got the ball on their own 10 yard line. Their first offensive play from scrimmage, Troy Garner took the handoff and rumbled down the field for 15 yards, giving the Hawks a first down on their opening play. Garner followed this with a 17 yard carry on the next play, setting up Rayshawn Williams for a 10 yard run of his own to put Huntingdon on the N.C. Wesleyan 47. On 2nd and 9, Jake White dumped off a short pass to Troy Garner, which Garner took all the way to the endzone to put Huntingdon ahead 7-0 with 10 minutes remaining in the quarter.

The Battling Bishops next drive would also be a three-and-out, with a sack from Bailey Huston putting an end to the drive just as it got started. Huntingdon followed this by recovering a muffed snap from the N.C. Wesleyan punter on their 6 yard line, setting up Rayshawn Williams for his first touchdown of the game at the 8:07 mark.

Staying solid, Huntingdon's defense kept NCWU off the board again, but could not capitalize on the subsequent drive. Regardless, the Hawks entered the second quarter with a 14-0 lead.

Second Quarter

After forcing a punt to begin the second quarter, Huntingdon's offense took the field for the first time in the period. Following another first down rush from Troy Garner, the Hawks looked at a 2nd and 22 following a sack and false start penalty. Jake White responded by finding Connor Cash streaking down the middle of the field for a 25 yard gain and first down. This allowed for Troy Garner to score for the second time on the afternoon, this time from 17 yards out on a rush up the middle, putting Huntingdon ahead 21-0.

NC Wesleyan found the endzone for the first time on the afternoon on the following drive, cashing in on a 38 yard rush to cut Huntingdon's lead to 21-7. Following a drive in which Huntingdon came up empty, the Hawk defense kept swarming the field, forcing another NCWU three-and-out. On the punt, Timothy McReynolds caught the return and took it all the way back, scoring on an 87 yard punt return to put the Hawks ahead 28-7 entering halftime.

Second Half

Coming out of the halftime break, neither team could find the endzone in the third quarter. The first points off the half came from the Battling Bishops at the 9:34 mark on a 29 yard touchdown pass. With neither team generating any points on the next two drives, the next touchdown came from the Hawks, as sophomore Aidan Cox found RJ White on the right side of the field for a 24 yard touchdown, extending Huntingdon's lead to 35-14. Rayshawn Williams followed this with his second touchdown run of the afternoon to put Huntingdon ahead 42-14 as the game drew near.

The Battling Bishops kept fighting, scoring two more times to close the game, but a final touchdown from James Cheatham iced the game, giving the Hawks the 49-28 win.

Hawk Top Performers

• #14 Jake White- 11/18 passing, 167 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
• #0 Troy Garner- 17 carries, 106 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 54 receiving yards, two total touchdowns
• #5 Rayshawn Williams- 17 carries, 94 yards, 2 touchdowns
• #16 Braylon Miller- 9 total tackles
• #24 Bailey Huston- 6 total tackles, 1 sack
• #6 Joe Brunson- 2 tackles, 1 interception

The Hawks look to carry their momentum into a matchup with Hendrix on September 28th. Gametime is scheduled for 1:00 PM.