"Most dominant defensive lines - especially ones with four members - have catchy nicknames. Like the Fearsome Foursome or the Steel Curtain.
"Jovian King said the Hickory Red Tornadoes' line has dubbed itself the Hit Squad, or the Head Hunters. Either way, Friday night's 35-0 manhandling of South Caldwell provided further evidence that the Red Tornadoes are worthy of a nickname."
The original Hit Squad - ends Ty Hunt and Michael Alberto, and tackles Jovian King and Michael Collins - really did a number on the Spartan offensive line. Despite the best efforts of senior tackles Gary McMurtry (6'3" 320) and Scott Pitts (6'4" 325) and senior guard Josh Poarch (6'0" 300) the Spartans finished the game with 0 yards rushing. No net yards rushing. Zero.
South's leading rusher, Scotty Auton, had been averaging 106 yards per game coming in, but was held to a paltry 4 yards on 11 carries. The fullback, Rocky Sigmon, fared little better, netting 19 yards on eight carries. The Hit Squad kept stuffing the run and sacking quarterback Chad Hames until there was no yardage at all. Jovian King forced one fumble and recovered two others. He had a couple of the sacks. Hunt pounced on a punt that sophomore linebacker Lee Wilson had blocked and recovered it for a touchdown.
Spartan head coach Dan Hardee was made a believer.
"They put their best 11 against our best 11 and wore us out. Their front is physical and has some real good athletes."
Hickory fans and foes alike knew that something special was brewing because the Hit Squad not only talented but young. Michael Alberto was a senior but his three mates on the defensive line were only juniors. Ultimately, Alberto, Hunt and Collins were destined for Division 1 football: Alberto at Duke, Hunt at East Carolina and Collins at Wake Forest. But the meanest of the group, the one who made his own teammates just a little nervous sometimes, was Jovian King. He'd hit you. And when he hit you, you bounced. And he liked to see you bounce.
Together, they were the Hit Squad. And they bequeathed their legacy to all the Red Tornado defenses that have followed them.
SUCCESS: When you're standing and he's not.
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