Hawks’ D underpins 24-6 win
ROYSE CITY, Texas—The Pleasant Grove defense was not on negotiating terms with the Cadets’ offense.
The Hawks limited Waco Connally’s top rusher, Jay’Veon Sunday, to just 54 yards on 20 carries, and Pleasant Grove rolled to a 24-6 victory in a Class 4A, Division II area football playoff game Friday at Royse City ISD Stadium.
“The defense and special teams were huge for us,” Hawks’ head coach Josh Gibson said. “For us to shut down Jay’Veon (Sunday) was exceptional; that was our best defensive game by far.
“Toward the end, I was wanting him to get the ball because I knew he must have been tired of getting tackled by three or four guys.”
Pleasant Grove (10-2) will play Gilmer (6-6) next Friday at Allen High School’s Eagle Stadium in a Class 4A, Division II regional playoff game. Gilmer defeated Fairfield, 24-14, in its area playoff.
James Wiggins led all rushers with 141 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown for Pleasant Grove against the Cadets.
“It’s great to contribute to the team the way that I did it,” Wiggins said. “I have worked hard in practice each week; everyone on the team works hard. I credit my success to hard work and practice.”
Bruce Garrett added 94 yards on 19 carries and a pair of scores for the Hawks.
Garrett scored an insurance TD with 3:16 left in the fourth quarter to give Pleasant Grove a 24-6 edge.
Garrett scored on a 1-yard plunge on fourth down to give Pleasant Grove a 17-6 lead early in the fourth period.
The Hawks rushed for 260 yards on 46 carries and three touchdowns. Kicker Dillon Williams made three PATs and kicked a 30-yard field goal for the first points of the game.
Sunday capped an 11-play, 80-yard drive in 5:35 for the Cadets on a 1-yard dive into the end zone to make it 10-6 late in the third quarter.
Kamren Woods blocked a punt, and Ryan Pickelman recovered and ran 5 yards up to the Cadet 20-yard line. The Hawks reached the 5-yard line but turned the ball over on downs after an incomplete pass.
Pleasant Grove’s defense forced a three-and-out, and Connally’s punt went backward 10 yards when a gust of wind caught it, setting up the Hawks at the Cadet 12-yard line.
A holding penalty pushed PG back, and Dillon Williams booted his 30-yard field goal to give the Hawks a 3-0 lead.
The Black Hawk defense limited the Cadet rushing attack to 17 yards on the ensuing possession. Connally had to punt, and Pleasant Grove set up on its 19-yard line.
Garrett hit the left sideline and rushed 19 yards on a swinging gate. Wiggins broke free and rushed 46 yards to give PG a first-and-goal.
Wiggins capped a 7-play, 81-yard drive in 3:16 with an 8-yard touchdown to give the Hawks a 10-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
After stopping the Cadets on a fake punt run on fourth down, Pleasant Grove had to punt. Connally’s return man mishandled the punt and the Hawks recovered at the Cadets’ 11-yard line.
Pleasant Grove attempted a 22-yard field goal with a second left until halftime, but the whirling 25 mph wind pushed the ball wide left.