Hillgrove has found a recipe for success in the early part of the season - run the ball, hit a couple of big plays, and play outstanding defense.
The same formula that produced a 14-7 victory over Columbus in a scrimmage game two weeks ago and a 17-0 win over Douglas County in the regular-season opener last week worked again on Friday in a 24-7 victory over Pebblebrook that gave the Hawks their first 2-0 start since 2014.
“We’ve kind of flashed back to the early 2000s, when you played defense and you ran the football and you try to be good in the special teams,” Hillgrove coach Phil Ironside said. “We knew coming in that we were a good defensive football team. But we’ll find our way and we’ll be more explosive offensively. You saw some kids that are young do some things tonight, and we’re gaining confidence at quarterback. I think we’ll continue to grow.”
Hillgrove got two big plays from the offense in the first half, a 66-yard touchdown run by quarterback Evin Neals with 3:07 remaining in the first quarter and a 36-yard touchdown pass from Neals to Jalen Royals in the second that gave the Hawks a 14-7 lead. Those two plays accounted for all but 80 of Hillgrove’s first-half yards.
Those points proved to be too much for a Pebblebrook team that had trouble generating any offense. The Falcons finished with 142 total yards, and quarterback Jaquavious Jones was responsible for all of it. Jones had 61 yards rushing on 22 carries and was 7-for-19 passing for 81 yards. The Falcons (1-1) had just six plays in which Jones didn’t either run or pass, and those plays netted no yards.
He also provided the only points for Pebblebrook, running 33 yards for a touchdown on a fourth-and-12 play with 9:14 to play in the second quarter that tied the game 7-7.
Hillgrove allowed just 98 totals yards against Douglas County and is giving up an average of 120 yards and 3.5 points per game.
The Hawks’ defense also contributed to the scoring in the second half. Khory Reid intercepted a pass and returned it 6 yards for a touchdown and a 21-7 lead late in the third quarter. Reid, who shared punting duties, helped set up the score on the previous play, when he kicked a ball that was downed at the 1-yard line. Luis Garcia-Cano closed out the scoring with a 26-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
Hillgrove got about 76 percent of its 301 total yards from its running game. Eight players had at least one carry for the Hawks, who rushed for 229 yards on 38 carries. Trevor Smith led the way with 68 yards on 10 carries, followed by Neals (62 yards, six carries) and Issaiah McCray (55 yards, nine carries).
“We’re deep there,” Ironside said of the running game. “That’s our deepest position. We’re solid with two quarterbacks, and a lot of wide receivers. So it’s coming.”
Hillgrove - 7-7-7-3 - 24
Pebblebrook - 0-7-0-0 - 7
First quarter
H - Evin Neals 66 run (Luis Garcia-Cano kick)
Second quarter
P - Jaquavious Jones 33 run (Axel Blanco kick)
H - Jalen Royals 36 pass from Neals (Garcia-Cano kick)
Third quarter
H - Khory Reid 6 interception return (Garcia-Cano kick)
Fourth quarter
H - Garcia-Cano 26 field goal
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