’Hawks hammer Hamburg 37-7
The Pea Ridge Blackhawks blew past the Hamburg Lions 37-7 Friday, Nov. 17, to advance to the 4A State Playoff Quarterfinals against Booneville next Friday night.
Playing in a fierce wind throughout the contest, the ’Hawks shook off a slow start to explode for 24 points in the second quarter to pave the way to victory.
“The defense played really well tonight,” head coach Stephen Neal said. “And the offensive line protected our quarterback extremely well.”
Drew Winn had a big night again, rushing for 110 yards on 15 carries, scoring two touchdowns. His last carry early in the third quarter put the senior All-Stater over the 2,000-yard mark for the season.
Jakota Sainsbury, senior quarterback, was good seven for 12 in the passing game, battling extremely windy conditions. He piled up 169 passing yards, hooking up with Hayden Holtgrewe for two scores and Robby Pickthall for another.
The first quarter was a scoreless affair with the ’Hawks playing into the wind. Mishandled balls and a bad snap put the ’Hawks into holes on two of their first possessions to force punts. The Lions picked up a first down on their first play but didn’t earn another until late in the third quarter against the Blackhawk reserves.
The highlight of the first quarter was when the ’Hawks were backed up to their 17-yard line and a bad snap forced punter Sainsbury to scramble around with the ball near the goal line. Cool under fire, Sainsbury recovered the loose pigskin, avoided a number of tacklers then punted out of trouble into the wind.
The second quarter began with the Lions electing to go for a first down on a fourth and 2 situation on the ’Hawks’ 26-yard line. The ’Hawks’ Mike Mahoney barged up the middle through Hamburgs’ blockers and nailed the ball carrier for a 3-yard loss, which turned the ball over to Pea Ridge on the ’Hawks 29.
Three plays later, the game was scoreless no more. After Pickthall picked up 3 yards on first down, the senior running back barreled through and over Lion defenders to dash 40 yards upfield to the Hamburg 28. Sainsbury then lifted a looping high pass over the Lion defenders to a diving Holtgrewe who caught it in the end zone for a touchdown. Evan Green’s kick made the score 7-0 with 10:46 left in the half.
The Lions’ next two plays lost 4 yards leading to a punt. Having to kick into the wind, the Hamburg punt traveled but 12 yards to their own 38. Sainsbury ran an option play to gain 8 yards, with Winn breaking loose for 10 more to the Lion 20. Sainsbury connected with Holtgrewe with the senior receiver eluding several pursuers to cruise back into the end zone. Green was good again and the ’Hawks led 14-0 with 8:12 left in the half.
Carson Rhine ended Hamburg’s next possession with his sixth interception of the year after the ’Hawks’ next series ended in a punt, the one after saw Pea Ridge score again. It was all Winn as the elusive back rushed for 11 then 6 yards before running in from the 26-yard line two plays later. Green’s successful PAT made it 21-0 with 3:22 left.
After forcing their fifth straight 3 and out on the Lions, Pea Ridge got the ball back with 2:10 left on the Hamburg 47. Another Sainsbury to Holtgrewe pass netted 27 yards, but the next three plays only picked up 2 yards. Luis Reyes came on to attempt a 35-yard field goal and the sophomore kicker booted it through the uprights with 54 seconds left in the half, boosting the score to 24-0.