Photo by Tammie Martin/ossports
Huntsville knows something about defense.
Its defense frustrated the Eagles for four quarters, and junior quarterback AJ Wilson, who threw a pair of touchdowns and ran for another, headlined an offensive explosion, 49-19 in the Class 5A Division II Region III Area round playoffs on Friday night at Woodforest Bank Stadium.
The Hornets will face a familiar foe in Crosby next week at a time and site to be determined. The two met last season in the Area round of the playoffs, where Huntsville won, 54-44.
The Hornets’ defense served notice throughout the contest. Led by defensive linemen Ed Bobino, Quaterian Riles, cornerback Ethan Minor, linebackers Jayden Ross, Calvin Simmons, safety Karson Grisham and Jadarian White, Huntsville recorded six stops for no gain, three sacks, and forced three turnovers.
Despite the game taking the shape of a defensive battle, Huntsville’s (11-0) plan materialized with consistency.
After a defensive struggle, Wilson’s pass to receiver Jordan Woodberry at the Eagles’ two-yard line watched White score from the one to give Huntsville the early 7-0 lead after junior kicker Christian Avelar’s extra point attempt.
Within six minutes, the Hornets added to its lead after Minor’s 42-yard pick-six. Huntsville led, 14-0.
Wilson led the Hornets with 210 yards passing, two touchdowns and 55 yards rushing and a score. Woodberry had eight receptions for 140 yards and two scores.
Mistakes proved to be a downer for the Eagles, who watched two crucial dropped passes, one would have set it up in Huntsville territory inside the 20, and the other could have gone for six.
However, the Hornets defense continued to pressure Barbers Hill.
The Eagles forced a turnover still, its offense failed to move the ball after a holding call put them in the hole.
The Hornets took advantage of the moment and executed a 56-yard scoring drive. Wilson and McClain ripped off back to back 20 yard carries before Wilson raced to the left pile on, pushing Huntsville’s lead, 21-0 following Avelar’s bonus kick.
Barber Hills (6-5) struggled on the road of hard knocks as Bobino and Simmons recorded back-to-back sacks of junior quarterback Brent Holdren. But after, Barbers Hill’s defense forced a three and out.
Its offense took possession at its 39, but receiver Canden Grogan fumbled a 14 yard gain at the Hornets 47 after a jarring hit.
Huntsville converted the turnover into points when Wilson threw five yards to Woodberry to increase the lead, 28-0 with five seconds left in the first half.
More of the same followed in the second half.
The Eagles watched an opportunity slip away after it blocked the punt and grabbed possession of the ball at the Hornets 29, with 10:09 left in the third quarter.
Still, things went from not so good to worse. The Eagles netted eight yards on its next three plays in front of a fourth down and two, which it failed to convert as the ball went over on downs at the Hornets 21.
Huntsville fed off big plays as Wilson went to the air, finding Woodberry, who found an opening down field at the Eagles 23 before junior cornerback Lawson Cavarretta dropped McClain in the backfield for a four-yard loss. Yet, it carried little weight as Woodberry ran a precise post pattern separating himself from the defender, and Wilson tossed a strike that led to a 27-yard score, swelling the deficit, 35-0 with 6:35 remaining in the third quarter.
Late in the third quarter, defensive back, Josh Bishop picked off Wilson at the Barbers Hill 18. It returned the favor, marching 82-yards in 14 plays, capped on Holdren’s 11-yard touchdown pass to junior running back Garret Hagler.
Still, time worked against the Eagles while battling a considerable deficit to steep to overcome.
All of Barbers Hill’s points came in the fourth quarter, as both teams combined for 34 points in the quarter.
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