Veterans moves closer to playoff spot with blowout
Veterans turned in a dominant first half and cruised down the stretch for a key 30-7 GHSA Region 1-5A victory over Harris County on Friday night at Freedom Field.
The Warhawks jumped out to a 7-0 lead early after a nine-play drive that covered 72 yards was capped by a 2-yard Landon Quarles touchdown run. The ensuing kickoff caromed off a Harris County up-back and was recovered by the Warhawks near midfield. Quarles again finished the drive with a 6-yard run for a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
After the Tigers trimmed the Warhawks’ advantage to 14-7 on a 25-yard touchdown pass, Veterans went on another long march. This drive took 14 plays before Ammarian Brown scored from 4 yards out.
A 32-yard field goal as the half expired gave the Warhawks a 23-7 lead.
The victory all but assures Veterans of a playoff berth and the Warhawks will have a chance to clinch home-field advantage Thursday when they visit Warner Robins.
Three who mattered
Brown: The versatile back led the Warhawks with 16 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown. His 36-yard reception with just seconds remaining before the half set up a Veterans field goal.
Leyton Pinckney: Veterans’ junior quarterback didn’t seem fazed by throwing into a strong wind in tough conditions. He opened the game 6-for-6 passing for 57yards. He finished the contest 10-of-16 for 102 yards.
Cal’Von Harris: Harris County’s big play threat on the night, Harris finished with five plays that gained 11 yards or more. He carried 11 times for 91 yards in the game.
Worth mentioning
Getting it back: The two programs combined to fumble eight times,but recovered each one until Harris County turned it over on a desperation hook-and-lateral attempt with just seconds remaining in the game.
They said it
Veterans head coach David Bruce on his offense’s early dominance: “Coach (Stacey) Harden and all of the offensive coaches have done a great job of picking things that the kids can do well. I can’t say enough about our kids. They play as hard as they can play. They may not be the best athletes in the world, but I guarantee you that there isn’t a team in Georgia who tries as hard as they do.”
Bruce on his team’s improvement this season: “If you would’ve been at that game when we played Crisp County in that scrimmage, you wouldn’t even recognize us. These kids have matured.”
Bruce on the importance on next week’s game: “Our full attention will be on Warner Robins. We’re not even worried about the playoff situation. We’re going to concentrate on doing the best we can and hopefully that will put us in a position to host (a playoff game).”
What’s next?
Veterans travels across town to face Warner Robins at McConnell-Talbert Stadium on Thursday.
This story was originally published October 21, 2016 at 10:34 PM with the headline "Veterans moves closer to playoff spot with blowout."