Defensive Masterclass Fuels Hawks Runaway Victory Over Southern Virginia On Senior Day

MONTGOMERY, Ala.- Welcoming the Knights of Southern Virginia University to Samford Stadium for the first time since becoming conference opponents, Huntingdon Football turned a 20-14 halftime lead into a substantial 44-21 victory on Senior Day. The Hawks controlled the game largely in part due to exceptional play on the defensive side of the ball and on special teams, as they recorded four interceptions(including a pick six) forced two fumbles, and secured  two return touchdowns to come away with the win. 

Prior to the start of today's game, Huntingdon recognized the program's 21 seniors for their commitments to the program, both on and off the field throughout their time as a Hawk. This year's senior class is:

• #0 Korey Anderson of Sylacauga, Alabama
• #1 Tim McReynolds of Geneva, Alabama
• #2 Sam Bloodworth of Pike Road, Alabama
• #6 Joe Brunson of Baker, Florida
• #7 Robert Vickers of Headland, Alabama
• #9 Xzavion Garrett of Childersberg, Alabama
• #12 Connor Cash of Mentone, Alabama
• #12 Markell Jordan of Bessemer, Alabama
• #13 Gus Johnson of Gulf Breeze, Florida
• #14 Ty Whiting of Bethelem, Georgia
• #32 Brodie Gillis of Milton, Florida
• #34 Chandler Cavoretto of Dacula, Georgia
• #42 Brody Covington of Rogersvile, Alabama
• #45 Michael Tate of Panama City, Florida
• #57 Triston Bedell of Red Level, Alabama
• #70 Steven Flagg of Salem, Alabama
• #74 Xander Earley of Brookwood, Alabama
• #82 Aidan Doss of Kimberly, Alabama
• #90 Charlie Hollis of Gulf Shores, Alabama
• #97 Ryan Mills of Mobile, Alabama
• Student Coach Kolby Coleman of Hope Hull, Alabama

The Hawks got off to a flying start as they received the ball to open the game. Sophomore quarterback Jake White led the Huntingdon offensive on a 13 play, 84-yard drive that De'Roderick Hepburn capped off with a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Hawks the first lead of the game, 7-0. After forcing the Knights to punt on their first offensive possession, Southern Virginia would be the next to find the endzone, intercepting a Huntingdon pass and returning it 46 yards for a touchdown to even things at 7 with 2:46 remaining in the first quarter. Not to be outdone however, Tim McReynolds followed up with the first of his two special teams scores of the afternoon, making a house call on the ensuing kickoff to put the Hawks back in control 13-7 entering the second quarter after a missed PAT. 

Southern Virginia responded to McReynolds score with a touchdown of their own as they second quarter got underway, capping off a 7 play, 75 yard drive with a score that put the Knights ahead 14-13 with more than 14 minutes to go until halftime. Huntingdon's offense was forced to punt on their next possession, and the Knights pieced together a drive that made its way down to the Huntingdon 13, but Cole Sackman's interception in the endzone flipped the momentum and gave possession back to the Hawks. Not squandering their opportunity, Jake White connected with Sam Bloodworth on a crossing route, and he did the rest, shedding two tackles en route to a 77-yard touchdown reception that brought Huntingdon back in front 20-14 with six and a half minutes remaining in the quarter. The Hawks defense ramped up their intensity after Bloodworth's touchdown, as Joe Brunson fell on a bad Southern Virginia snap to give the offense possession on the Knights 11. Ultimately however, the Hawks offense would stall and Andrew Ginsburg would miss wide left on his 37-yard field goal attempt. The two teams traded punts as the half drew near, and a Nathan Jones interception just before halftime kept the score at 20-14. 

As the third quarter got underway, it was all Huntingdon from the onset, as the Hawks outscored the Knights 17-7 through the 15 minutes. The Hawks first score came following a Southern Virginia punt, as Jake White picked up his second passing touchdown of the day, connecting with Tim McReynolds from 39 yards out to push the Huntingdon lead to 27-14 by the 11:26 mark. McReynolds stayed hot, fielding a Southern Virginia punt on the following possession at the Huntingdon 29-yard line and finding the endzone yet again, extending the advantage to 34-14 with 10:42 left in the quarter. After another punt exchange between the teams, Southern Virginia momentarily stopped the bleeding with a two-yard touchdown run, but Andrew Ginsburg's 27-yard field goal brought the Hawks lead to 37-21 entering the final quarter of play. 

The final points of the game came early in the fourth quarter, as senior defensive back Markell Jordan picked off a Southern Virginia pass and returned it all the way from 60 yards out to bring the score to 44-21. Coming down the stretch, Huntingdon's defense caught fire, as Cole Sackman secured his second interception of the game on the next play before Tylan Hampton fell on a Knights fumble to ice the game away. 

Hawk Top Performers

• #1 Tim McReynolds- 6 receptions, 71 yards, 1 receiving touchdown, 2 return touchdowns
• #11 Jake White- 14/26 passing for 244 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception
• #9 Cole Sackman- 4 tackles, 2 interceptions
• #12 Markell Jordan- 2 tackles, 1 interception return for a touchdown

The Hawks close out their 2025 campaign next week on the road against Belhaven. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM CT.