Youngsters run crazy for Hornets on homecoming
BRYANT -- Bryant (7-1, 4-0) has been dominant for years in the 7A division. Winning more than 50 straight 7A Central contests since 2018, the Hornets played for more than a homecoming celebration Friday at Hornet Stadium.
Before a monster crowd, the five-time defending 7A state champion Hornets fended off early answers before rolling Little Rock Southwest 59-33 to remain perfect in league play.
“It is good to have a win,” said Head Coach Quad
Sanders. “The offense had it rolling and the defense struggled a little tonight. But they do have some good players over there. It boils down to guys that don’t get to play much have to step up and do what they do.”
The Hornets started the scoring midway through the first with a 6-yard touchdown run from Zekariah Kertis-jones to make it 7-0 Hornets with 6:09 to go.
Despite the overwhelming favorite Hornets winning big in the end, Southwest would put up a fight most of the half, answering Bryant in the first on a 13-play drive.
Chase Forte would tie things at 7-7 on a 17-yard TD pass with 4:17 left in the quarter.
Younggun Jeremiah Motes would put the Hornets on top for good in the second, finding receiver David Paglianite on a 24-yard play-action pass. Hornets led 14-7 with 10:39 to go in the half.
Kertis-jones would quickly make it 21-7 Hornets on a
6-yard run still with 8:30 to go. He would add his third score of the contest later in the quarter on a 20-yard run.
The scoring drive was set up thanks to a fumble recovery on the kickoff.
The Gryphons would not go away, though, answering with another 17-yard pass from Forte, this time to Aaron Granado. Bryant still led 28-14 with 4:17 to go in the half.
Myron Thrash Jr. continued his stellar season, scoring on a 36-yard truck. The run put Bryant up 35-14 while sending thrash over the 100-yard rushing mark in the game.
With under a minute to go in the half, Southwest would tack on six with another Forte pass from 11 yards to Jabron Lewis.
Bryant would lead 35-20 at the half.
The Hornets would open
the second half scoring at will, adding two quick TDS on a 5-yard carry from Thrash and a 30-yard sprint for Jones. Bryant would lead 49-20 with 8:07 to go in the third.
Motes would find Thrash on a 76-yard screen pass for the Hornets final score later in the third, moving the lead to 56-20 with 6:27 to go in the third.
Forte would continue his impressive game for Southwest,
finding his man Jasean Robinson from 60 yards away to make it 56-26 in the third.
Jackson Cook added some insurance with a 30-yard field goal later, making it 59-26.
The Gryphons would add a final touchdown on a big play once again as Luther Tucker flew past defenders for a 54-yard touchdown.
Jones’ monster night led to
major compliments from his head coach after the victory.
“Him and Thrash I think probably had 150 each,” Sanders said. “Zek going to be Zek. He is going to run hard if he is the only one in the stadium. That is just what kind of kid he is. Our running back room is loaded.”
Sanders said early in the week that he wanted to play a lot of guys in Week 7 and the offensive outburst allowed for plenty of that.
“We played a lot of guys even in the first half,” Sanders said. “Jordan Walker started the first series and Motes finished the game. Jones and Thrash started and finished the game. We are going to need these young guys down the stretch.”
Three games remain on the Hornets schedule. Often referred to as the gauntlet, Cabot, Conway and North Little Rock remain ahead of the postseason.
“This is the playoffs starting out for us,” Sanders said. “However those games go is how the playoffs will go.”
The Hornets will be at Cabot in Week 8 with opening kick set for 7 p.m.