Hornets swarm Huskies in second half

Three weeks of high school football is in the books, and the Harrison Central Huskies are still in search of their first victory. In what is now back-to-back weeks, the Huskies have led in the second half and failed to put together the complete effort needed to walk off the field on top. The Malvern Hornets (2-1) scored the final 20-points last Friday night in Carroll County, good enough for a 34-15 victory that set the Huskies back to 0-3 on the year. 

However, final scores can be deceiving sometimes. A further dive into the game would find Harrison senior Jacob Quito returning the opening second half kickoff to the house, giving the Huskies a 15-14 advantage. The defense then stood strong and stalled out a seven play Malvern drive, forcing a punt. The only issue in this sequence was the Hornets yanked the ball free on the promising return and toted it the other way for six. Pure silence fell over the visitors’ side of the stadium, players and fans alike, as the Hornets took a 20-15 lead in the stunning turn of events. 

“Seize the moment,” said Harrison Central Head Coach Anthony Hayes. “We simply have not capitalized on our opportunities in any aspect of the game. We get a big stop,and then we turn it right back over. We have a good drive, and then we have mistakes in the redzone.”

What Hayes is likely referring to is the developing trend of self-inflicted mental lapses that have completely flipped momentum and made it increasingly more difficult for there to be any type of positive, rhythmic game management. In short, stringing together mistake-free football has not been a strong suit in the early going this season for the Huskies. 

After the punt return-morphed-touchdown for the Hornets, the Huskies offense rebounded and drove the ball down to the Malvern 15-yard line before a penalty derailed the drive. A turnover on downs followed, and then the Hornets used an eight play 85-yard scoring march to put some distance on the board. With 10:44 remaining in the game, Malvern was in front 28-15. It then went from bad to worse for the Huskies, as the Hornets picked off a Brady Hyre pass two plays into the following drive. The result was another Hornets touchdown just two plays after that to round out all scoring. It happened fast, and it happened with one team taking advantage of opportunities, and the other team inadvertently handing them out. 

“We have been our own worst enemy for three straight weeks. Until we get over that mental barrier, it’s going to be tough to overcome adversity. I believe that we can do it, but we just have to dig down deep and make it happen,” Hayes said.

Hyre finished 14/24 passing for 124-yards with a touchdown, connecting with eight different teammates throughout the night. Quito led that charge with four receptions for 24-yards. Kayne Dunkle, Lance Smith and Colson Crothers all hauled in a pair of catches respectively, with Michael Stock (32-yards) and Jayse Hython (25-yards) turning in a snag each. Hython’s grab across the middle took him to the endzone moments before halftime, sending the Huskies into the locker room trailing just 14-9. Seniors Beau Rinkes and Chaz Culbertson also pulled in a catch each. 

The Huskies struggled mightily stopping the Malvern offense, not because they weren’t in position, but because ball carriers were not brought down at the initial point of collision. The Hornets made a living racking up yardage after contact. That being said, Culbertson shined defensively with his hands in on 13 tackles, and Rinkes forced a Hornets safety on the game’s opening possession. Crothers also registered his first career interception in the second quarter. 

The Hornets outgained the Huskies 375-126, owning the first down battle 16-7 in the process. Last weekend’s Malvern victory marked the third straight over Harrison Central. 

Hayes is entering week four with a positive mindset, and his eyes on Union Local. 

“Our schedule is brutal, but we have been right there every week," Hayes said. "A break goes our way here or there and we could easily be 3-0. I’m sure that sounds crazy but trust me when I say the film doesn’t lie. I can tell you one thing for certain; we will keep working our tails off to get better. That’s what we can control. We have a very good Union Local team coming to our place next week. We can’t waste time licking our wounds.”