Powerhouse backfield lifts St. George’s past Briarcrest

St. George’s head coach David Carter said after his team’s 38-21 victory over Briarcrest on Friday night that he felt safe with juniors Ben Glass and Chase Hayden in the backfield.

Glass and Hayden confirmed their head coach’s confidence in them in the fourth quarter. St. George’s (20) converted three third downs, and Glass scored from the 1-yard line to put the Gryphons up by two scores over Briarcrest (1-1).

“I feel safe,” Carter said. “I feel like we have the chance to be very explosive at times. The offensive line and the amount of ownership that is on them to control how we play offensive is beyond explanation.”

First, it was Hayden exploding up the middle for 11 yards on third-andnine. Then it was Glass rolling to his right and finding Dawson Smith for 26 yards on third-and-seven. And finally Glass ran 19 yards on thirdand-five to put the ball at the 1, setting up his third rushing touchdown of the game.

“Our line did a great job blocking,” Glass said. “I had time to scramble or stay in the pocket. I just give a lot of credit to my line.”

Hayden carried 32 times for 190 yards and one touchdown. The three-star athlete, whose father played at the University of Tennessee, is a threat that opens the offense up for Glass.

“(Glass) made some great reads,” Carter said. “Chase ran the ball like a champ, and Ben is stepping up and learning how to lead a team and play quarterback.”

Glass gave the Gryphons their first lead in the third quarter when he kept the ball for a 52-yard touchdown, breaking a 14-14 tie at halftime.

“With Chase in the backfield, it opens up holes for me to pull it,” said Glass, who finished with over 100 rushing yards and one passing touchdown to Corey Jones.

Briarcrest head coach Brian Stewart credited the Gryphons for outplaying his team in the second half.

After rushing for nearly 200 yards in the opening quarter, the Saints struggled to execute and were plagued with penalties that halted numerous drives.

“We put ourselves in a bind when we can’t finish drives,” Stewart said. “It’s always disheartening to lose a football game, but you always go back and see things you’ve got to get better at.”

The Saints were led offensively by junior running back Charles Elliott, who finished with 105 rushing yards. Senior Rashad Muhammad added a 36-yard rushing touchdown, and senior quarterback Hunter Hill added two rushing touchdowns.

(2) MUS 49, Kingsbury 7:

Southwind 27, (5) Ridgeway 25:

Collierville 35, Center Hill 33:

Henry County 22, Houston 20: