Two weeks is a long time to stew on a loss like the Hennessey Eagles had against the Hinton Comets in their home opener on September 3rd. Those two weeks served the Eaglesโ coaching staff and players well with a time of refocusing, recommitment, and reshuffling. The Friday night Eaglesโ opponent, the Crooked Oak Ruf-Nex, entered the game riding high following their opening season win at Konawa in week 1. That Ruf-Nex win had the Eagles wondering if this was a different team than the one they defeated 33-7 in 2020. Those two weeks of questions and introspect got answered quickly when Keigen Crites took the 4th play from scrimmage 37 yards for his first of two touchdown runs, en route to a resounding thrashing of Crooked Oak (1-1) by a score of 47-0.
In a game, whose margin of victory was kept as close as it was due to a 2nd half running clock and the grace and mercy of the HHS staff, the Eagles scored touchdowns in almost every way possible: Rushing, Receiving, Fumble Return, and Blocked Punt Return.
Following the Crites opening drive TD Run, the Eagles and Junior QB Sebastian Gonzalez got to work. Sebasโ had 3 first-half Touchdown Passes: 49 Yards to Seth Simunek, and 47 and 7 Yard catch-and-runs to Weston Smith. Gonzalez finished the night with 144 Yards Passing, going 7 of 9 with 1 Interception and 3 TDs. He also added 5 made PATs, earning him the MaxPreps Overall Player of the Game.
Keigen Crites got the Offensive MP Award, Rushing only 5 times, but covering 110 Yards with 2 Touchdowns, for a 22.0 yards per carry average. The Senior ceded his 2nd half carries to Juan Castanon, 4 Rushes for 36 Yards, and Offensive Lineman Keeton Sturgill, who had 1 rumble for 12 Yards.
Weston Smith was the leading receiver with 4 Catches for 71 Yards and 2 TDs. In addition to his long 47 Yard TD catch down the right sideline, Seth Simunek had 2 Receptions for 53 Yards. Smith and Simunek teamed up for the Eaglesโ final score when Weston blocked the Ruf-Nex punt, and Seth picked the ball up and ran it in for the Touch. Freshman Kevin Trillo added 2 grabs for 20 Yards to wrap up the Eagle air attack.
As prolific as the offense was on the night, the Eaglesโ Defense stole the show. At the half, the Eagles had held the Ruf-Nex to -3 yards rushing and -5 yards passing. On the night, the home team was held to a minus 21 yards of Total Offense. Praise all around for the Eagle D, starting with Alan Perez. The Senior only had 2 Tackles, but both were Quarterback Sacks. Adding to the 5 total sacks on the night were Kason Copeland, Keigen Crites, and Cam Griffin โ each with one apiece. Juan Castanon, once again, was the leader in tackles with 9 in total, but the Defensive Player of the Game Award went to Sophomore Abdiel Regalado for his 8 Total Tackles and 1 Fumble Return for a Touchdown. Gunner Carthel added to the assault with his 5 Tackles with 1 Forced Fumble/Fumble Recovery. Several players got their first action of the season in the route, with Brandon Mendoza and Justus Durham making their presence known and felt with their defensive stops.ย
Now the Hennessey Eagles (2-1) turn their focus to the Perry Maroons (1-2) coming to town for the District 2A-1 opener this coming Friday, September 24th. The kickoff at Eagle Stadium is 7:00 pm Friday night. The EagleVoicephotos by Beth Curran
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