Hornets Force Four Turnovers, Clinch Playoff Spot in 43-26 Win Over Center
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By Michael V. Hannigan
The Athens Hornets didn't just win Friday night, they took the game away from Center -- literally.
The Hornets outworked, out hit, and out gritted their way to four second half turnovers against the Center Roughriders Friday night for a 43-26 win to clinch a playoff berth and set themselves up with a chance to lock up the second seed when they travel to Bullard next week.
"We had two fumbles in the second half and we were down 10 twice in the first half, so there were a lot of reasons for us to quit," said Athens Coach Zac Harrell, "but we didn't. We kept playing, kept fighting, kept making plays and it turned out to be a great night for the Hornets."
Athens broke open a tight game midway through the third quarter when E'manuel Moore recovered a muffed punt in Roughrider territory. A six-play, 39-yard drive followed finishing with a one-yard Jase Warren touchdown run.
On the first play of the following possession, Warren stopped the Center running back, ripped out the ball and recovered the fumble.
The Hornets then leaned on the physical running style of Jabory Taylor to grind out 33 yards down to the Roughrider 1 yard line, where Warren finished the drive with another blast up the middle giving Athens a 36-26 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Center tried to get back into the game, driving from its own 25 to the Athens 6 before the defense stiffened and forced another turnover, this time after harassing Roughrider quarterback TJ Belin into a fumble which Gideon Willy recovered.
The coup de grâce came via -- you guessed it -- Jase Warren when he scooped up another TJ Belin fumble and raced 59 yards for the final score on senior night.
"I'm so proud of these seniors," said Coach Harrell. "These seniors have solidified toughness and you're beginning to see this team do special things."
The night didn't start out that way, however. Center began fast, scoring on their first three possessions to take a 17-7 lead. But, the Hornets defense dug in and held the Roughriders to just nine points for the rest of the game.
Center had been averaging 37 points per game and although the defense did give up a couple of big plays, the Hornet defense imposed its will down the stretch by forcing turnovers on three straight second half possessions.
"This is a great time to be an Athens Hornet and I hope everybody realizes that," said Coach Harrell. "I hope everybody jumps on the bandwagon."
The Hornets were led offensively by all-everything Jase Warren, who had 19 carries for 98 yards and three touchdowns, plus a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown. I wouldn't be surprised to hear the senior was selling popcorn at the concession stand during halftime because he seemed to be everywhere.
But he didn't do it alone. Jabory Taylor added a physical 51 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. E'manuel Moore had four catches for 99 yards and a touchdown to go with his fumble recovery, and Julious Brewer caught eight passes for 80 yards. Many of Brewer's touches were vital in forcing the Roughriders to defend from sideline to sideline creating room between the tackles for Warren and Taylor.
QB David Richardson finished the night 14 of 23 for 194 and a touchdown. Richardson played well in the face of relentless pressure by the Center defense.
The Hornets will travel to Bullard next week for their regular season finale. The Panthers are 2-7 on the season after getting nipped by the Brownsboro Bears Friday night, 31-30.
(VIDEO: Jabory Taylor scores on 4th and goal from the 1.)
SCORING SUMMARY
CENTER - 9:13, 1Q - Jeremy Bluford 6-yard run. Pablo Huichapa kick good -- 7-0
CENTER - 1:54, 1Q - Pablo Huichapa 22-yard field goal. -- 10-0
ATHENS - 9:31, 2Q - Jabory Taylor 1-yard run. Agustin Rodriguez kick good. -- 10-7
CENTER - 7:51, 2Q - TJ Belin 56-yard pass to Timothy Johnson. Pablo Huichapa kick good. -- 17-7
ATHENS - 4:22, 2Q - David Richardson 55-yard pass to E'manuel Moore. Kick no good. -- 17-13
ATHENS - 1:11, 2Q - Jase Warren 2-yard run. Julious Brewer runs for 2 pt conversion. -- 21-17
CENTER - 0:00, 2Q - Pablo Huichapa 32-yard field goal. -- 21-20
CENTER - 8:34, 3Q - TJ Belin 55-yard pass to Timothy Johnson. Kick no good. -- 26-21
ATHENS - 4:01, 3Q - Jase Warren 1-yard run. David Richardson pass to Julious Brewer 2 pt conversion. -- 29-26
ATHENS - 1:39, 3Q - Jase Warren 1-yard run. Agustin Rodriguez kick good. -- 36-26
ATHENS - 3:58, 4Q - Jase Warren 59-yard fumble return. Agustin Rodriguez kick good. -- 43-26