By Staff
Justin Schuver, Hartselle Enquirer
It didn’t take long for Hartselle to assert itself over the Patriots Friday night.
On the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Wes Chenault passed to running back Marquez Jones open in the flat and the speedy sophomore did the rest, taking it 79 yards for a touchdown.
The Tigers scored touchdowns on their first three possessions and never looked back as Hartselle (5-1, 3-1 in Region 8) defeated Brewer 38-15 at James Tucker Stadium. The Tigers led 35-0 at halftime and were able to play backups primarily in the second half.
Both teams came into the game with two-game winning streaks, but it was the Tigers that took control from the opening kickoff. Chenault, who battled a cold all week and missed practice on Tuesday, had a solid first half with 10-of-12 passing for 212 yards and two touchdowns.
Brewer (2-4, 1-3) had trouble getting any offensive rhythm, particularly in a running game that managed just 69 yards. The Patriots did score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and have 208 passing yards.
One positive trend for Hartselle this season has been the Tigers’ balance on offense, and that was on display again Friday night. The sophomore running back tandem of Jones and Josh Slaten helped the Tigers gain 192 yards rushing. Jones had 54 yards on five carries and a touchdown and Slaten had 81 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. Chenault also scored a rushing touchdown.
Following Jones’ touchdown reception, the Tigers scored two more times in the first quarter to break open to a 21-0 lead. Chenault found the end zone on a 4-yard run and then passed to Tony Weaver for a 6-yard touchdown reception on the Tigers’ next drive.
Hartselle added two more touchdowns in the second quarter on a 39-yard touchdown run from Jones and a 16-yard run from Slaten.
Tyler Bennich added a 36-yard field goal in the third quarter to increase Hartselle’s lead to 38-0.
The Patriots battled back with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Tony Dickerson to Chris Humphries with 10:14 left in the game. Brewer faked the extra point as holder Eric Parker ran it in for a two-point conversion.
Brewer’s final score came on a 10-yard run by Dickerson with 42 seconds remaining. Ben Maxwell added the extra point.
Hartselle travels to Athens Friday night to take on the 5-1 Golden Eagles. The following weekend they host J.O. Johnson, a team also currently with a 5-1 record.
Brewer travels to face Johnson Friday night.