The Hebron Christian football team enjoyed its first victory in eight-man football competition last week.
Now, the Eagles will go for two in a row.
Hebron Christian will celebrate its home opener at 7 p.m. Friday when Clinton Christian comes calling. The Eagles will be motivated after last Friday”s 42-8 takedown of Calvary Christian.
“The kids have worked hard this year,” Hebron Christian coach Tri Nason said. “It was good to see the hard work pay off. Offensively and defensively, we played extremely well. It was a solid all-around performance.”
This is Hebron Christian”s first season playing eight-man football. The Eagles (1-1) moved from 11-man to eight-man football right before the start of preseason camp, so players and coaches had to learn a new style in a matter of weeks.
The opener wasn”t kind as Hebron Christian lost to Strider Academy 34-16. The open week that followed saw the Eagles re-invent themselves.
“We installed a new offense,” Nason said. “The thinking was we have a great quarterback so we might as well use him. We decide to attack more offensively and really release the reins.”
The debut of the new offense was a smashing success. The Eagles finished with 426 yards, including 274 on the ground.
Quarterback Will Corben Rogers had for four touchdowns. He rushed for a 1-yard and a 27-yard score, and hit David Kinard on a 15-yard touchdown. He also scored on a 26-yard fumble return.
“Will Corben was our go-to guy,” Nason said. “He really did a great job of stepping up and leading us. In eight-man football, you have to take advantage of your scoring opportunities. You can”t let things get away from you.”
The Eagles” biggest improvement might have been on defense.
“To hold any team to eight points is a remarkable feat,” Nason said. “One thing we have done well all year is flying to the football. You have to be physical and you have to bring the fight to the other team. We really did that. We did a great job of holding a good offensive team down.”
Cody Tatum led the defense with 10 tackles and a sack. Harley Thompson had eight tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
“We are looking forward to Friday night,” Nason said. “It is our first home game and there is always a lot of excitement that goes into that night.”
Clinton Christian is 1-2. It is coming off a 26-12 victory against The Veritas School. The Warriors lost to Victory Christian (42-6) and to Russell Christian (58-38).
Manchester Academy (2-1) at Oak Hill Academy (0-3)
The Raiders will look for better results when they return home for a Class AA, District 2 matchup at 7 p.m. Friday.
Oak Hill Academy lost to Indianola Academy 39-14 last week.
“We had a tough time getting going,” Oak Hill Academy coach Benjie Merchant said. “Our effort was not what it needs to be to win on Friday nights. To our kids” credit, they did not quit. However, you have to play with more intensity and focus throughout the entire game.”
Indianola Academy busted out the big plays early in the game. The hosts scored first on a 78-yard punt return by Dustin Roncali and a 30-yard interception return by Trey Roberson. Quarterback Taylor Marlowe then threw a pair of scoring strikes to give Indianola Academy a 25-0 lead after one quarter.
Behind three touchdowns from Roncali, the early push held up as the hosts led 39-7 at halftime.
“We had too many mental mistakes and did not do a good job of tackling,” Merchant said. “We have to get into the weight room and get stronger as a team. They dominated on both sides of the line.”
Oak Hill Academy scored in the second and fourth quarters. Quarterback Jeb Stevens hit Curt Huffman for a 36-yard touchdown pass and Jacob Dickens for a 13-yard touchdown pass.
Manchester Academy is coming off a 28-26 victory against Sylva-Bay Academy. It also has defeated Hillcrest Christian (33-0) and lost to Tri-County Academy (27-0).
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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