CAMDEN — CENTERPOINT—The final score does not tell the full story about Friday night’s Harmony Grove Hornet victory over the previously unbeaten Centerpoint Knights. 48 to 14 was the final, but through the first half only 1 point separated these two teams. The Hornets led 8 to 7 at halftime before breaking the game open with 4 touchdowns in the third quarter.
The Hornets were plagued by turnovers, penalties, and mishandled snaps in the first half that allowed the Knights to stay in the game. The home team even scored first on a 19 yard pass play from QB Josh Lawson to WR Gabe Doster at 6:10 in the first quarter. The PAT was good. The Knights led 7 to 0.
Coach Ernie Horstcamp’s squad didn’t score until the 7:20 mark in the second quarter on a 24 yard quarterback keeper by Zach Smith. Damion Daniel caught the pass that scored the extra 2 which gave the Hornets the lead at halftime, 8 to 7.
Whatever Coach said a halftime must have gotten through to the Hornets, because they returned in the third quarter to blow the game open with 4 touchdowns. Three of these came on long runs by RB Xaylon Falls and 1 long run by RB Tobias Hicks.
Falls scored on a 40 yard run with 10:45 to go in the third quarter. He also scored the 2 point conversion giving Harmony Grove the lead 16 to 7. He also scored on a 28 yard pass play with 7:31 to go in the third. Mecca Arnold scored the extra 2 giving the Hornets a 24 to 7 advantage.
Hicks’ touchdown came at 5:47 in the third on a 22 yard run. Falls converted the 2 point play giving the Hornets a 32 to 7 lead. Falls scored again with 2:09 to go in the third on a 63 yard run. Smith carried the ball in on the 2 point play giving Harmony Grove a 40 to 7 lead at the end of the quarter.
Both teams scored touchdowns in the fourth period.. RB Mecca Arnold ran 5 yards to score for the Hornets with 7:21 to go in the game. He also converted the 2 point play giving Harmony Grove a 48 to 7 lead.
Centerpoint added a late score against the Hornets’ second team defense when Houston Way ran it in from the 11 with :57 to go in the game. The Knights added the PAT setting the final score of 48 to 14.
Harmony Grove’s victory brings their overall record to 6-1 and 4-0 in 5 AAA play. Centerpoint falls to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the conference.
The Hornets will host the Fouke Panthers in another 5 AAA contest on Friday night at Bill Manning Field. Kick-off is slated for 7:00.