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Saints Win a Tough One on the Road
Photos by: Jennifer Hall – https://photosbyjenny.zenfolio.com/
Pictured: Josh Daley with an interception
By: Melissa Grace
Prentiss Christian traveled north to Flowood Friday evening to face the Hawks of Hartfield Academy. Hartfield being a AAA school looked at PCS, a AA team, as a good choice for homecoming. Lately, inviting Prentiss to homecoming has been a bad idea and Friday was no different. The Hawks won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff from Josh Daley. The kick was for 41 yards to the 19 yard line, but was returned 16 yards before Steven Colson and Jesse Hall made the tackle. With very little room to run on 1st down, the Hawks went to the air for less luck. The 3rd down pass was intercepted by Austin Daughdrill off the hands of the HA receiver at the 40 yard line. Daughdrill and Goddard followed the big Saints offensive line right on down into the Hawks red zone. From the 10 yard line, QB Blake Greenlee hit Daley on a 10 yard touchdown pass. Goddard added the 2pt conversion with a catch from Greenlee as well giving PCS an 8-0 lead with 7:27 to play in the 1st quarter. Daley’s kickoff went 39 yards, but the returner found a gap and returned the ball to the 42 yard line before Daughdrill and Goddard wrapped him up. The Saint defense was all over the HA offense and forced a Hawk punt from the 38 yard line. The punt was downed by HA on the 35 yard line of the Saints. A long run by Daughdrill and a 16 yard catch by Daley moved Prentiss into Hawk territory, but the Saints faced a 4th down on the HA 29 yard line. Greenlee’s 4th down pass to Eric Powell was incomplete, but the Hawks were caught for pass interference giving the Saints a fresh set of downs on the 14 yard line. Two plays later, Powell rushed 12 yards for a PCS touchdown. Greenlee’s 2pt pass attempt failed, but Prentiss had a 14-0 lead with 2:12 to go in the 1st quarter. Daley’s kickoff hit at the 20 yard line and rolled out of bounds giving HA possession on the 35 yard line. The Saints forced a quick three and out, but the HA punt was fumbled Powell and recovered by the Hawks on the 33 yard line of Prentiss. Eight plays later, HA found the end zone on a 1 yard quarterback sneak. The PAT was good cutting the Saint lead in half 14-7. The Hawks attempted the onside kick with no success. Blaise Holder covered the ball on the PCS 45 yard line. Again the Saints backs got behind the offensive line and rushed down into Hawks territory. From the 33 yard line, Greenlee found Goddard on a deep touchdown pass. Daley’s PAT was blocked holding the score at 20-7. Daley’s kickoff was for 45 yards and was returned 20 yards to the 35 yard line. The Hawks put together a 10 play drive capped off by an 8 yard touchdown pass amidst tough pressure from the Saint defensive line. The PAT was added tightened the gap once again. With 2:57 to play in the half, the Saints led 20-14. HA kicked off deep to Goddard who returned the ball 25 yards to the Saints 38 yard line. Prentiss worked down to the 40 yard line of the Hawks, but were faced with a 4th and 10 with less than a minute to play in the half. Greenlee sat tall in the pocket and delivered a 40 pass to Powell for a touchdown. Daughdrill added the 2pt conversion giving Prentiss a 28-14 lead with 33 seconds to go before the half. Daley made a great kickoff to the 16 yard line, but the Saints gave up a long return to their own 45 yard line. Four plays later, Daley came up with a big interception at the Saint 13 yard line and added a 20 yard return as the horn sounded on the first half of play. Following a lengthy homecoming halftime break the Saints hit the field for the 2nd half. HA attempted the onside kick, but were offsides backing them up to the 35 for another try. Holder would catch the pooch kick on the PCS 40 and return it to the 48 yard line. The Saints could not generate any momentum on the drive and elected to punt to the Hawks. Greenlee’s punt was downed after 53 yards at the HA 11 yard line. The Hawks came out with an inventive spread package that was successful for 2 plays getting them to the 45 yard line. After an on the fly adjustment by the defense, the Hawks decided to return to a more traditional offense. Hartfield managed to work their way down to the 15 yard line, but the “Wall” stood tall as Kolbe Verdun stopped a 4th down attempt giving PCS back the ball on the 18 yard line. Prentiss gained 2 yards on the drive and elected to punt again. Greenlee’s punt was for 35 yards and was returned 11 yards to the PCS 39 yard line. Hartfield was hit with a series of penalties including a personal foul on this drive, as well as, a 10 yard sack by Ned Sanders. Facing a 4th and 52 to go, the Hawks elected to punt. The HA punt went to the 29 yard line of PCS and hit a Saint blocker. The ball was picked up by the Hawks giving them a 1st down. The offense and defense battled back and forth for gains and losses before Sanders came up with another big sack for a 13 yard loss on 4th down. Daughdrill hit the Hawks hard on 1st down with a 33 yard run. Three plays later, Greenlee found Daley again on a 52 pass and run for a touchdown. Hall caught the 2pt conversion pass making the score 36-14 with 8:23 to go in the game. Daley’s kickoff was immediately covered by Kash Miller as he made the tackle on the 35 yard line. Hartfield managed up to the mid field stripe but no farther. The HA punt was downed on the PCS 14 yard line. The Saints worked up to the 30 yard line before electing to punt back to the Hawks on 4th down. Greenlee’s 54 yard punt turned the field on the Hawks as they had to start their drive on the 16 yard line. Prentiss loosened up a bit by dropping their linebacker s back and their defensive backs. With just over 2 minutes to play in the game, the Hawks made their way back to mid field as time expired on the game. The Saints improved to 8-0 on the season as they go into their final two conference games of the year. Prentiss hosts Newton County Academy Friday night for senior night.
