Mighty Mar’Keise
Sophomore running back scores 3 TDs to push Hawks to 3-0
Mar’Keise Irving was a contributor for Hillcrest in its first two victories this season. Hewas a dominator Friday. Irving churned out chunks of yards and scored three times as the Hawks used a second-half runaway to beat host Shepard 47-7.
The sophomore transfer from Morgan Park rushed 23 times for 151 yards, good for touchdowns of 10, 10 and 21 yards.
“Iwas feeling it,” Irving said. “I just want to thank my offensive line. Theywere blocking great for me, opening holes. I have to thank my quarterback too.”
Senior Basil Webber completed 12 of 20 passes for 161 yards and three TDs for Hillcrest (3-0). Montez Garrett caught two of the TD tosses and ran for another score.
Rishard Blake scored on a 5-yard run for Shepard (2-1).
Irving played on the sophomore team at Morgan Park in 2017. He has turned into a quick learner for Hillcrest’s varsity.
“I had to work,” Irving said. “But once I got that first play over, itwas like regular football.”
Irving’s ability to break plays opened up other opportunities for Webber. They were a good running-passing combination.
“It’s unreal,” Webber said. “The way we do it, we dominate the line, and he breaks tackles and gets those extra yards. He does it all.”
Webber is a transfer from Providence. Webber and Garrett share the quarterback duties, although Webber received most of the minutes Friday.
It was the passing hookup of Webber to Garrett early in the third quarter for a 23-yard TD that broke a 7-7 tie.
“The first time he threw to me, the ball slipped right between my hands,” Garrett said. “I had to make up for it and help us out.”
Webber later found Garrett for a 5-yard TD strike. Garrett said he’s equally happy at wide re- ceiver when Webber is calling the signals.
“I try to provide for my team and get us going,” Garrett said. “The O-line did a great job.
“(Basil) is a great quarterback. He likes to put the ball in the air a lot. He’s a great leader, and that’s what I’m looking for.”
Hillcrest is looking toward another big season like 2017. Last year, the Hawks finished 9-3 and advanced to the Class 5 A quarterfinals.
“We have to keep onworking,” Garrett said. “We’re trying to get to state. It’s state or bust for us. We’ve got to keep working hard.”