7th grade loses to Hawley, 8th defeats Hico
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Cub football teams split games against different opponents last week, with the seventh grade losing in Hawley and the eighth grade shutting out the visiting Hico junior high team.
The Cubs will travel to Ranger on Thursday, with a 5:00 p.m. kickoff. The two local teams will combine for the game unless a separate game can be found for the seventh grade.
The eighth grade blanked the Hico combined junior high, 40-0, last Thursday at Robert Nail Stadium.
Ashton Bailey scored the first of four touchdowns during the game on a 14-yard run. Andre Gjerpe ran in the two-point conversion.
Later in the first period, Bailey scored on a nine-yard run, followed by a pass from Branson Beal to Ethan Green for the conversion, putting Abany in the lead 16-0.
Bailey scored again in the second period on a 48-yard run, followed by a score on a keeper by Beal to go ahead 24-0 at the half. The conversion attempts failed.
Bailey’s fourth tally came on a 51-yard run in the third period. Beal hit Brody Brown for the conversion to go up 32-0.
Beal then connected with Jace Little in the fourth quarter for a 15-yard touchdown, followed by a two-point run by Jake Hale.
“Offensively, Ashton had a great game,” coach Ryder Peacock said. “We were able to work on our passing game throughout because of our success on the ground.”
On the defensive side, Dalton Richards had a fumble recovery and Jace Little caught an interception.
“We forced two turnovers while only allowing them one big pass play during the game,” the coach said. “We also had a huge fourth down stop on fourth and one yard to go. Hico was one of the better teams we have played, and it was a good test for our guys on both sides of the ball.”
Seventh Grade Game
The seventh grade Cubs traveled to Hawley last Thursday, dropping the bout 14-12.
“We jumped out to a first half lead of 12-0,” coach David Fairchild. “The Bearcats made a comeback in the second half on a few Albany turnovers. They really only had two big plays, which was the difference in the game.”
The Cubs scored first on a pass from Brodey Oliver to Huffman Heatly for a tally. The conversion attempt failed.
Lane Helle scored the second touchdown on a 14-yard run. The conversion failed.
“For the most part, our defense played well,” the coach said. “Breylon Billington had several big tackles during the game.”
