Home > Hall Monitor > Archives > 2007 > September > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHoyas Follow Tough Loss With Impressive Victory
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Harrison Hoya football team improved their record to 3-1 after defeating the Woodstock Wolverines by a final score of 38-20 this past Friday night. After losing a tough one against region rival North Cobb two Fridays ago in game that was arguably botched by the referees, the Hoyas came out with a fire lit under them. Against Woodstock, the Hoyas created enough distance between themselves and their opponent to ensure that the refs would have no part in deciding the outcome of the game. In the first quarter, running back Alphonso Griffin bursted outside on a handoff from Chistian Burnett, hurdling would-be tacklers and showing off his speed on the way to a 46 yard touchdown run. Unfortunately however, Griffin’s touchdown was followed by a missed extra point (another thing that proved detrimental against North Cobb), the team’s third in two weeks. On the Hoyas’ second possession of the game, they drove down the field with an effective combination of passes from Burnett to Darvin Adams and a string of runs from our three backs Griffin, Godhigh, and Austin, only to be stopped at the goaline by a (at the time) stubborn Woodstock defense. After the goaline hold by Woodstock, the Hoyas added three points on a field goal from Eric Cobleigh. Later, in the second quarter, the Hoyas found themselves in the red zone once more after a 64-yard run by Robbie Godhigh who burst through the line and was tackled by a Woodstock defender only 3 yards outside of the endzone. The drive was capped on a touchdown by Godhigh who lowered his head and found the end zone only a play after his long run. Touchdowns came later in the game on a long pass from Burnett to Adams, a end-around to Jamal Austin for a 30-yard touchdown, and finally, another touchdown run by Alphonso Griffin.
There is no doubt that the Hoyas are playing great football right now. They have outscored their opponents 103-33. The offense is hitting on all cylinders with a great running game from three backs, each of whom bring something different and equally great to the table, and an efficient passing game, mainly between quarterback Burnett and Adams. The offensive line is opening holes for the running and backs and doing a more than awesome job of protecting Burnett. And finally, as evidenced by the stat above, the defense is playing phenomenal and keeping our opponents in check both in the running and passing games. In my own opinion, I don’t see many weaknesses in our Hoyas with exception of the kicking game, which can be fixed, but must be done so sooner rather than later. We certainly can’t afford to miss extra points at crucial parts of the game in close, tight games (like against North Cobb). However, with that said, I have full confidence in each player on the team and I also have no doubt that the coaching staff and the players will work to fix any chinks in the team’s armor, no matter how few they may be.
This Friday, our Hoyas will take on another region rival in the Marietta Blue Devils at old Marietta’s Northcutt Stadium. Last year at Hoya Stadium, our guys beat the Devils by a score of 21-14, and although we only beat them by seven points, the final score really wasn’t indicative of just how one-sided the game was in our favor. This year’s Marietta team is currently 4-0 and has apparently improved from last year’s team which lead Marietta to a losing season, its first in a long time. Nevertheless, from what I have heard, if our Hoyas play like we have been playing, we should come out on top in decisive fashion. For all you superstitious people out there, I knocked on wood as I typed that so as to avoid any kind of “jinx.” But on a more serious note, based on everything I have seen, read, and heard, our team from Harrison is better than Marietta in nearly every aspect of the game. The keys for us in this game will be consistency and defense. If we can play like we have been, we should come out on top. Kickoff time for the game is at 7:30 P.M. at Northcutt, but I suggest getting there on the early side as this is a big game and an even bigger rivalry. Everyone come out and support the fellas on their way to a second straight victory over the far inferior Blue Devils.
Permalink | | Categories: Harrison
