Mountain Valley 8th Hawks, Keep Lions in Cage, 14-0
The Mountain Valley 8th grade football team forged into the lead and never took their foot off the San Antonio Christian Lions in winning, 14-0 last Thursday night at Hawk Stadium.
The best of both worlds happened in the first quarter as MV Hawks forced a turnover on their three yard line and then drove 96 yards for their first and what proved to be the only touchdown they would need on this night.
A 35 yard reception by Heath McDonough was the back breaker on this drive as Quarterback Dylan Compton took control behind center to drive the Hawks for the score.
Mountain Valley would put more distance between these two schools in the second quarter when they finished a 6 play 57 yard drive that added the insurance needed to rest easier for the Hawks.
Running back Hayden Reed would start this drive with a 19 yard run and be responsible for 44 of the 57 yards on three carries.
With the Lions looking for another run by Reed, Quarterback Compton would find McDonough once again for a 13 yard touchdown, leaving only a minute on the half-time clock.
“(The reason for my runs) Because of my lead blocking,” Reed interjected. “The difference was my offensive lineman, they just got it together.”
Reed has learned very quickly that your best running backs will be players that understand that without blockers, then you will have a long day on the turf.
Both teams played a stalemate the remainder of this game, but Mountain Valley’s defense did come through on a couple of drives holding off the Lion’s surge.
After 20 yards rushing on four plays, an ill advised pass in the waiting arms of McDonough sent SAC back to their bench and with the 44 yard return changed the all important field position part of this game.
On how McDonough was able to get the interception, “I read the quarterback’s eyes.”
McDonough has also ruined any excuses in his classroom next time a teacher asks him a question from the board in class. Being able to read the quarterback’s eyes from 40 yards down the field will tell you he has eyes like a Hawk.
This interception was also very timely and helped keep the game from getting scary.
“It (the interception) kept us going and gave us confidence,” McDonough finished. “I want to go far in District.”
There would be one more drive that MV had to brace for, as SAC was working on a 14 play 62 yard drive when the Hawks held the Lions to no gain on a fourth and six from their 12 yard line. It would be their last time to touch the ball offensively.
Mountain Valley would run the clock out with three first downs, not allowing the Lions to get out of their cage the rest of this evening.
Good luck and do what McDonough wants to do and go far in District, he’ll be watching you.
Game 3 1 2 3 4 Final SAC 8th 0 0 0 0 0 Mtn. Valley 8th 8 6 0 0 14 Scoring Summary: MV-Hayden Reed 4 yard run (Dylan Compton run), 1:07, 1st MV-Heath McDonough 13 yard pass from Compton (run failed), 1:16, 2nd
Game Stats SAC Lions MV Hawks Total Yards 152 230 First Downs 9 14 Rushes/Yards 18/114 20/182 Comp/Att/Int 10/15/1 2/9/1 Passing Yards 38 48 Punts/Average 2/23.0 1/21.0 Fumbles/Lost 0/0 0/0 Penalties-Yards 1-5 2-10
Passing Comp Att Pct Yds TD Int Dylan Compton 2 9 .222 48 1 1
Rushing Att Yds Ave Lg TD Hayden Reed 12 91 7.6 19 1 Dylan Reed 6 71 11.8 23 0 Gerrit Wilkins 2 20 10.0 23 0
Receiving No Yds Ave Lg TD Heath McDonough 2 48 24.0 35 1