Hargrave Upends Army
Tigers control clock in 20-7 win at West Point, NY
The setting could not be more perfect. The Hargrave Military Academy Post Graduates visited historic West Point, New York, one day before the three year anniversary of the September 11th attacks. On the beautiful banks of the Hudson River, it was the Tigers who used a balanced offense and strong defense to achieve a 20-7 victory over the United States Military Academy prep team on Friday.
Following an eleven hour bus trip, the Tigers offense showed flashes of greatness in the first quarter by moving the football at will, but could not put the ball in the end zone. Successful plays were marred by penalties and turnovers early in the game, forcing the PG offense to rely on the defense to carry them through.
With the help of defensive backs Lionel Mitchell and Brandon Anderson, the Tigers won the field position battle and it paid off in the first half. It wasn’t until early in the second quarter that the offense hit pay dirt. Quarterback Terry Mitchell lead the Tigers on a 5:30 minute 13 play drive to give Hargrave their first points of the game.
Andre Brown once again showed why he was the North Carolina High School Player of the Year in 2003 by rushing for 55-yards on the scoring drive behind full back Chris Mack, including a two yard run for the touchdown. Jamar Bryant also showed well by catching two passes for 25 yards on the drive.
The Tiger defense, lead by defensive linemen Brandon Fanney and Brian Simmons, consistently had the Black Knight offense in a hole all day, but it wasn’t until a third and twelve that the defense forced their first turnover on the day. Safety Breon Rogers intercepted an errant throw and returned it to the Army 27 yard line to set up another score for the Tigers.
Next, it was quarterback Aubrey Norris finding tight end Brandon Lang for a 25 yard gain over the middle. Then Norris called his own number on a two yard quarterback sneak to give Hargrave a 13-0 lead going into the half. The third quarter was much of the same for the Black Knight offense.
Linebacker’s Mark Johnson and Billy Hansford continued to make plays to set up the Tiger offense in great field position. It was not more evident than when Terry Mitchell hit Jamar Bryant on third and long for a 40 yard gain on a quick screen down the left sideline setting up a 1st and goal on the Knight 6 yard line.
Hargrave controlled the line of scrimmage all day long with the help of linemen Jared Gaither, Brandon Holland, Phillip Browning, Ryan Adams, Brandon Albert, and Christian Johnson. The big men up front made it easy for Curtis Brinkley to score from 6 yards out on 2nd and goal to put the Tigers up 20-0 early in the 3rd quarter.
The fourth quarter showed that Army would not go away quietly. The Knights fought to move the ball and with 2:35 minutes remaining in the game, the Tigers defense finally gave in. The Army offense ran in an 8 yard touchdown to avoid the shutout and cut the lead to 20-7.
It was running back Chubb Small and quarterback Chris Allison who helped control the rest of the clock in the fourth quarter. Allison completed two passes to give the Tigers a pair of first downs, including a 15 yard reception by Small and an 8 yard grab by tight end John Hall.
Although HMA only completed fifteen passes on the day, receivers Deanco Oliver, Jason Burton, Marcus Vareen, Bruce Francis, Brandon McRae, and Victor D’Arrigo had a special day blocking, springing the PG running backs for over 200 yards on the ground.
The Hargrave defense appeared to score a go ahead touchdown late in the quarter when defensive end Shawn Branscome scooped up an Army fumble, but an inadvertent whistle by the official gave the ball to the Tigers to run out the clock to end the game.
Hargrave, who moves to 3-0 on the season, will travel to Fayetteville, North Carolina, next Sunday to take on Methodist College.
Other notable statistics:
Offense
RB Andre Brown 11 carries 70 yards, 1 TD
RB Curtis Brinkley 6 carries 55 yards 1 TD
WR Jamar Bryant 3 receptions 65 yards
RB Chubb Small 13 carries 55 yards 1 reception 15 yards
QB Terry Mitchell 5/10 passing 75 yards 1 TD
QB Aubrey Norris 2/2 passing 45 yards 1 rushing TD
QB Chris Allison 2/3 passing 35 yards
Defense
DB Breon Rogers 7 tackles 1 Int.
DL Brandon Fanney 8 tackles 2 sacks
DL Brian Simmons 6 tackles, 1 FF
DL William Wall 7 tackles
LB Mark Johnson 8 tackles 1 sack 2 QB pressures
DB Lionel Mitchell 6 tackles 2 PBU
DB Brandon Anderson 5 tackles 1 PBU
DB Don Hargroder 7 tackles 2 PBU
LB Billy Hansford 6 tackles 2 tackles for loss
