Junior Wolves secure final home victory

PEARCY — As area teams proceed to wrap things up and shift into the offseason, Lake Hamilton took a 56-12 home win against Hot Springs Tuesday night at Wolf Stadium.

(8-2, 6-2 6A-West) showcased their last home game for the year as the junior Wolves put away a 56-12 win against the Hot Springs (4-7,

2-4 5A-South) junior Trojans Tuesday night at Wolf Stadium.

“We took it on the chin tonight,” said Hot Springs junior high head coach Justin McArthur. “You’ve got to give credit to Lake Hamilton. They’re big, fast and well-coached.

“You can tell they spend a lot of time in the weight room and their coaches do a great job with them. Our kids fought to the bitter end. They didn’t quit and they didn’t lay down. I’m proud of them.”

Following a 56-0 lead at the half in Lake Hamilton’s favor, the junior Trojan squad took to the field in the third and fourth quarter and ultimately responded to put a stop to the 56 unanswered point stretch.

Trojan freshman Alonzo Edgar put Hot Springs on the board, 56-6, as he found the end zone on a one-yard run for a touchdown with less than three minutes remaining in the third period. Isaac Shelor later found Quinton Dennis on a 10-yard pass for a final score with 3:48 left in the game to bring the score to 56-12.

“I really love these kids,” McArthur said. “I’m proud to be their coach and it means something to me. They’re going to do big things in life. … It’s going to happen for this team, so watch out for them.”

Lake Hamilton jumped out to a 36-0 lead to start the game.

Tevin Woodley secured the first score in the first quarter as he returned the kickoff and rushed for 27 yards into the end zone. Woodley had two carries for 40 yards.

Moments later, following the Wolves’ onside kick, Owen Miller recovered the ball and scored on a 48-yard touchdown run. Marion Conrad converted the following twopoint play.

“I was proud of the boys, again. It’s been the second

week in a row that we’ve had a task at hand, we came out and paid attention to the details and took care of business,” said Lake Hamilton junior high coach Shane Taylor.

“I think we’ve gone from a team that had potential to showing our potential at the very end of the year. I am extremely proud of the growth that we’ve made throughout the season.”

Midway through the first quarter, Lake Hamilton intercepted a Trojan pass attempt. Conrad then rushed for 48 yards into the end zone for the score. He concluded the home finale with four carries for 121 yards and one touchdown.

Gavin Robbins reeled in a six-yard pass from Grant Bearden for a 30-0 lead with two minutes left in the opening frame. Miller busted out a 47-yard touchdown run with 58 seconds remaining. He ran for 95 yards on two carries for two touchdowns in the opening quarter.

Conrad forced a fumble in the second quarter and recovered the ball on Lake Hamilton’s 8-yard line. Kendrick Martin then rushed for 92 yards to the end zone with 6:14 on the clock. Martin accrued five carries for 136 yards and a touchdown.

“The offensive line blocked well again. You can’t praise them enough because without them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do,” said Taylor. “The offensive guys that really stood out consisted of my entire backfield, really. Grant Bearden came in and had a great game. He threw a touchdown pass to Gavin Robbins. Marion (Conrad) carried a big load of the offense tonight.

“Owen Miller and Tevin Woodley did a great job, and then we brought in some of our back up guys. Kendrick Martin, Jamarrion Byrd and Noah Tiernan did a great job.”

With less than three minutes before halftime, Noah Tiernan scored on a 27-yard run for a touchdown bringing Lake Hamilton to a 50-0 lead. Jamarrion Byrd followed through as he rushed for seven yards to seal the final score for the night.

Lake Hamilton finished with 438 rushing yards and 444 yards of total offense.

“The game of football is a team sport, so everybody has to do their part in order to make it work,” Taylor said. “Tonight, we took care of business right off the bat.”

Woodley made five tackles with two for a loss, including one sack. Titan Jackson also made five tackles.