Athens rolls over Palestine on senior night, 42-29
Happy Senior Night!
The Athens Hornets scored on four of their first five possessions Thursday night to jump out to a 28-13 halftime lead on their way to a 42-29 win over the playoff-bound Palestine Wildcats.
The win was a great way to finish a season marred by injuries.
A finally healthy Hornet team was both efficient and explosive Thursday night, as they displayed in the first seven minutes of the game.
After receiving the opening kickoff, Athens marched 70 yards on five plays with the big strike being a 55-yard TD pass from Ty Arroyo to Jaden Crane.
Athens followed that up with an onside kick that was recovered by Mason Shelton, and then they scored again on a 36-yard run by Ty Arroyo.
The score was already 14-0 and some of the participants in the pregame senior night festivities were still trying to get to their seats.
Ty Arroyo had a big game in his final appearance as the quarterback of the Hornets, throwing for 143 yards and two touchdowns while completing 11-of-13 passes. His other touchdown pass went 6 yards to Jorien Ray. Arroyo also ran for 87 yards and a touchdown.
Jaxson Stiles also had a big game at quarterback even if the stats don't show it. He came in on short yardage situations and scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown and connected with Jamauri Manning on a 25-yard touchdown pass.
Senior Zay Hull played the role of workhorse back, gaining 83 yards on 10 carries for the Hornets.
On the other side of the ball, the Hornet defense forced the Wildcats to put together long drives to try and score. Two of Palestine's scoring drives went for 12 plays and 14 plays.
When you force an offense to drive that slowly there will be opportunities for turnovers and the Hornets made the most of those. Jayden Trigg recovered a fumble for the Hornets in the first half, and Dewayne Minifee intercepted a Palestine pass in the second half. Both of those players are sophomores and are bright lights for the Hornets future.
Athens finished the year with a 3-7 record after bracketing two wins to start the year with the senior night victory.
SCORING SUMMARY
ATHENS - 1Q, 10:14 - Ty Arroyo 55-yard pass to Jaden Crane. Nico Castaneda kick good. - 7-0
ATHENS - 1Q, 7:42 - Ty Arroyo 36-yard run. Nico Castaneda kick good. - 14-0
PALESTINE - 1Q, 1:41 - Tidarion Crawford 8-yard run. Alex Garcia kick good. - 14-7
ATHENS - 2Q, 6:13 - Ty Arroyo 6-yard pass to Jorien Ray. Nico Castaneda kick good. - 21-7
PALESTINE - 2Q, 5:12 - Jon Denman 54-yard run. Kick no good. 21-13
ATHENS - 2Q, 2:33 - Jaxson Stiles 1-yard run. Nico Castaneda kick good. - 28-13
ATHENS - 3Q, 6:22 - Jaxson Stiles 25-yard pass to Jamauri Manning. Nico Castaneda kick good. - 35-13
PALESTINE - 4Q, 11:52 - Elijah Walker 14-yard run. Walker run for 2 pt conversion. - 35-21
ATHENS - 4Q, 1:19 - Jamauri Manning 3-yard run. Nico Castaneda kick good. - 42-21
PALESTINE - 4Q, :10 - Hudson Dear 2-yard run. Reese Hargers run for 2 pt conversion. - 42-29
These posts are free thanks to Hannigan Media sponsors Athens Screen Printing, Tinsley Law & Title, Gibson Pharmacy, R&R Lawn Specialist, Gilbert Electric, Hunan Buffet, and Holt Wrecker.
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