Pre/Game: Canyon Lake @ Taylor
Hawk Defense will need some turnovers in game with Ducks this Friday. (photo by Karen Holmes)
Pre/Game: Canyon Lake @ Taylor Friday 7:30pm
Hawks (7-2) Ducks (6-3)
Taylor leads this series 3-0.
Game History:
2014 Hawks 31 Ducks 33
2015 Hawks 28 Ducks 31
2016 Hawks 44 Ducks 50
Season Results
Hawks 38 Blanco 00 Ducks 28 Robinson 27
Hawks 48 Reagan 06 Ducks 14 Rockdale 21
Hawks 23 Giddings 28 Ducks 14 Yoakum 46
Hawks 13 Wimberley 20 Ducks 24 Caldwell 20
Hawks 35 Lampasas 21 Ducks 34 La Grange 14
Hawks 56 Akins 28 Ducks 13 Bellville 26
Hawks 56 Eastside 00 Ducks 55 Eastside 00
Hawks 31 Boerne 21 Ducks 42 Boerne 21
Hawks 53 Billies 35 Ducks 35 Billies 12
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Sonora Insurance is all in for the Hawks!
Canyon Lake will be facing a foe that has voodoo Hawk dolls that have had many needles punched into them over the past 3 years.
The Hawks are averaging 34 points per game against Taylor but have still not been able to leave the field of battle with a smile on their face. All three of those contests had CL leading in the game just to see those advantages leaving on the Taylor Bus going home.
This game is one if not the main reason for this year’s mantra of, ‘Finish’. Back three years ago, Canyon Lake was facing a foe that had not registered a win and after blowing a 17-6 second quarter lead the Ducks would use that win to make the playoffs.
Two years ago, the Hawks, went into their halftime talk with a 28-9 lead and came out for the 2nd Half and lost five fumbles. Canyon Lake could not score in the second stanza and lost by 3 points.
Last year, the Ducks, were down 16 points to CL and rallied with 22 unanswered points in the 3rd quarter that helped win the game and District Championship, 50-44.
Now, the same scenario as last season, except the contest is being played in Duck country.
Taylor has been on a roll since district games have started and some of those same players will be back with a chance of putting another district banner on their wall.
Go Hawks!!
QB Ryan Gardner will be taking snaps and has completed less than 50% of his passes but when there is a completion the Ducks will make you pay. Andre Jones had a good game last year and this season leads the team with 619 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns.
Jones will be the main weapon, but the Ducks don’t fly alone and those passing lanes will be flanked by Brock Wells (324 yards) and Travis Gardner (200 yards).
In Taylor’s backfield, Delane Hornsby is knocking on the 1000 yard plateau with 934 going into the battle.
An average tote of 8 yards will give you an idea of how well this player has performed thus far. Hornsby can hurt you by the pass too, as will going into this game with 158 receiving yards.
Add those two offensive variables and you have a player that is 36% of your yardage. How this young man goes, will let you know how well the Hawks are playing defense.
Good News? Canyon Lake has not lost a fumble since the 3rd quarter of the Giddings game, about 2 months ago.
Taylor’s receivers will also double as their defensive backs and they can keep you grounded if you try to go by air much in a game.
So, that too is a good news story, as the Hawks will pass about as often as seeing a lake in West Texas.
CL’s defense has been playing better this year and that will certainly be a key for having a smiling team at the end of this contest that is wearing Hawk Green.
Three losses by a combined 11 points will let you know that Canyon Lake will need to play a good defensive game that is helped by that ground offensive machine the Hawks run to drain the clock.
Two Schools to compare are Boerne and Fredericksburg as Taylor used their defense to force turnovers and run away with two wins.
Hold onto the ball and play good defense and the dentists will be cleaning teeth next week to show off Canyon Lake’s smiles!!!
Go Hawks!!
