Tigers use strong ground game and big plays to win in-state rivalry
Chatham, VA – Receiver Ben Finney caught two spectacular touchdown passes of 55-yards and 40-yards to help the Hargrave Military Academy Post Graduate football team blow past Fork Union Military Academy 28-16 Friday afternoon. Quarterback Emanuel Francis was able to put the ball within reach for Finney who snagged the pair of TD’s to account for half of Hargrave’s points.
Hargrave started the scoring early as Clemson bound defensive back DeAndre McDaniel picked off a FUMA pass on a first down attempt to give the offense an opportunity with just two-minutes into the game. On the first play from scrimmage quarterback Emanuel Francis hit Finney from 55-yards out to put the Tigers up 7-0 following the Kyle Hughes extra point.
The Hargrave defense would take a bend but don’t break attitude on the next drive as Fork Union was able to move the ball down field. The Blue Devils were able to put a field goal attempt through the uprights to cut their deficit to 7-3 midway through the first quarter.
The Tigers would answer a score with a score. Running backs Demetrius Goode and Randell Bell combined to rush for over 200-yards on the day, including some strong runs to set up another Francis to Finney touchdown hook up. This time the Louisville bound quarterback ran a play action and found Finney with one-on-one coverage versus Vanderbilt University bound corner back Kareem Jackson. Finney made a great adjustment on the ball to put Hargrave up 14-3 in the second quarter.
Half time would prove to be beneficial for both teams only it was Hargrave that made it count first. In the third quarter quarterback Jamie Childers came in to produce a few fireworks of his own. After another DeAndre McDaniel interception the Tiger offense took over in great field position at their own 45-yard line. Childers gave to Bell on first down, but on second down pulled the ball on a zone read and scampered 52-yards, went airborne, and appeared to touch the ball on the pylon for a touchdown. The officials called him out of bounds at the three yard line, but it would take one additional play for Hargrave to take a commanding lead in the game. Running back HB Banjoman followed the lead blocking of full back Richard Parker to punch the ball in from three yards out to give the Tigers a 21-3 lead late in the third quarter.
Fork Union would answer back quickly. The Blue Devils would throw a deep pass from 70-yards out to cut into the Hargrave lead 21-9. The point after attempt was blocked by the Tigers defense and the lead stood at twelve.
FUMA would add another score on a fourth down and one play from the twenty five yard line. The Blue Devil running back slipped through the defense and scooted for the touchdown. After the Fork Union PAT, the visitors trailed 21-16 heading into the fourth quarter.
Hargrave would score the go ahead touchdown on the next drive. Running back Gerald Price and Randell Bell would tote the rock before Jamie Childers found future Auburn Tiger receiver Chris Slaughter on a diving thirty yard reception over future Southeastern Conference corner Kareem Jackson to set the home team up in great field position at the twenty yard line. After being stopped on first down, Randell Bell blasted through the line and did not stop until he broke three tackles and ended up in the end zone for the Tigers fourth touchdown of the day to put Hargrave up 28-16 lead, one they would not surrender.
The Tigers would hold on a fourth down attempt by the Blue Devils with the help of linebacker Daniel Drake and some batted balls by defensive end Jon Hollins. The stop would give the ball back to Hargrave with four minutes remaining in the game. Childers again would burn the Fork Union defense to seal the victory for the Tigers. After two unsuccessful runs, Childers faked the hand off and booted to his right on 3rd and 9. Childers broke a tackle and then proceeded to run over a FUMA defender to get to the first down marker and ice the game for the home team.
The win marked the fifth straight in the Robert Prunty coaching era over John Shuman and the Fork Union PG’s. Hargrave ends the season on a high note winning seven of the ten games played. The Tigers already have over thirty players committed to play NCAA division I football next season, while the scholarship offers continue to roll in for the Hargrave PG’s. Only hours before the game, five players were offered division IA scholarships, including defensive back Jimmaul Simmons who was offered a scholarship by North Carolina State University.
The Hargrave football PG’s will begin preparation for the annual winter skills session, which will be held on Monday December 4th. The session attracted over 400 college coaches last year and with early indications, will match and better the number of coaches who attended last year. For more information please call the PG Football office.
