A Hillgrove offense that struggled after building a big lead in its season opener hit its stride in Week 2.
The Hawks (2-0) amassed 547 yards of offense Friday and rolled to a 47-35 victory over Walton in the opening game of the Battle of the Big Chicken doubleheader at McEachern.
Quarterback Elijah Ironside tied a school record with five touchdown passes, including two in the second quarter as Hillgrove turned a 3-0 deficit into a 21-3 lead. Ironside completed 19 of 27 passes for 372 yards, and his touchdowns increased his two-game total to eight after passing for three against Westlake last week. Hillgrove led that game 26-0 at halftime before settling for a 26-6 victory.
Ironside wasn’t alone in posting big offensive numbers against Walton. Richardre Bagley rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, and he caught six passes for 108 yards. His 56-yard TD catch gave the Hawks a 21-3 lead with 2:57 to play in the first half.
Justin Denton caught eight passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns, giving him five in the first two games. Denton scored on a 14-yard pass early in the fourth quarter to make it a 10-point game after Walton cut the lead to 28-25, and his 64-yard score with 3:42 remaining gave Hillgrove a 13-point lead.
Omar Black caught four passes for 155 yards and scored on receptions of 79 and 15 yards.
Walton got little from its running game, but still managed 387 yards. The Raiders (0-2) had 27 rushes for 103 yards, although most of that came in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Price Wilson was 23-of-48 passing for 284 yards and three touchdowns.
Hillgrove took control of the game during a key exchange of possessions in the second quarter. Walton had a chance to cut the lead to 14-10, but a third-and-goal pass from the Hillgrove 12-yard line bounced off the hands of Raiders receiver Davis Pidgeon, who was open in the end zone.
Walton settled for a 29-yard field-goal attempt, but the kick went wide to the right. Hillgrove took over at its 20, and seven plays later Bagley scored on the 56-yard pass.
Walton cut the lead to 21-10 at halftime and closed to within three points twice in the third quarter, but could never slow the Hawks long enough to get back in the game.
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