Will Creech returns a kickoffThe junior varsity contest between Hickory and Newton-Conover on Thursday was every bit as exciting and nerve-wracking as anticipated. Both teams came into the game loaded with offensive weapons and those weapons did some damage. But in the end it was Hickory that had a little bit more.
The Red Tornadoes, trailing 30-24 in the final five minutes, drove down the field and scored the winning touchdown with 2:30 left in the game. T.J. Wimbush did the honors, dashing in from nine yards out. The 30-30 tie was then broken when quarterback Michael Helms passed complete to Casey Stinson for the 2-point conversion. The defense held their ground against a final Red Devil onslaught to preserve a 32-30 victory.
Wimbush and Stinson had great nights running the ball. Stinson scored on a 25-yard pass play from quarterback Kyle Johnson that was doubly impressive because Stinson juggled the ball after it hit his hands but he stuck with it and controlled the ball, tucked it and scampered into the end zone. That's called making a play.
Another example of making a play occurred when Hickory was on the Newton goal line and the ball was knocked loose and fell into the end zone. Steven Davenport alertly pounced and covered it for the touchdown. That's the hustle that makes the difference between winning and losing in a tough ballgame.
Jaquavius Johnson thrilled the fans with a scorching 62-yard touchdown run. With all the great running backs on the squad it's not all that easy to get carries sometimes. J.J. made the most of his opportunity and that's called making a play.
I also have to mention one play that impressed everybody on the Hickory side (and perhaps the Newton side, too). Sophomore Robert Liljeberg, a soccer player brought in to kick for the JV, kicked off to Newton after a Tornado touchdown. The Red Devil return man broke loose and turned on the jets. He got past everybody. Everybody, that is, except for Liljeberg. The kicker turned on his jets, closed instantly on the ballcarrier from about five yards away and nailed him. The unexpected burst of speed and the terrific finishing tackle made everybody go "oooh, ahhh." And rightly so. I could be wrong but I believe this is Liljeberg's first year of football. That's called making a touchdown-saving play. Awesome!
Every week it's the same thing for me. Every week I am more and more impressed with this group of young men. Some people tend to dismiss JV football as no big deal. But they keep score on the JV level and everybody is playing to win. When faced with a challenge you must overcome it. That's significant on any level.
The win boosted Hickory JV's winning streak to 62. It was the JV's 81st win out of the last 82 games. More importantly the win maintained Hickory's lead in the hotly contested CVAC race. Hickory is the only undefeated team in the league. It was the second loss of the season for Newton-Conover. There is one team left with only one loss and that's Bunker Hill. This could set up a showdown in the final game of the season as the Bears will be looking to end Hickory's streak and get a share of the CVAC title.
The Young Tornadoes will travel to Morganton this Thursday to face the Patton Panthers.
Wimbush gets free behind #61 Ryan Tyree
No comments:
Post a Comment