After three straight non-conference games, the Tigers took to Dick Dyer Field on Friday evening as they took on Roanoke Catholic in a VIC contest. Hargrave fought for four quarters but wound up defeated, 48-0, moving their record to 1-5 on the season.
During Hargrave’s annual Parents Weekend, there was a great energy surrounding this game. After speaking with Coach Schaum earlier in the week, he discussed how much of a challenge it would be to slow down Roanoke Catholic’s offense but he was hopeful, based on the Tigers level of attention during practice throughout the week. Roanoke Catholic came out and scored on the opening drive and didn’t seem to look back after that, to the tune of a 42-0 halftime lead.
The Tigers continued to give maximum effort throughout the second half, despite being shorthanded for a fifth straight game due to injuries. Hargrave was able to control the tempo in the second half and ultimately possessed the ball for just over 23 minutes of game action, which was one of Coach Schaum’s key points of focus. However, the Tigers were outmatched by Roanoke Catholic’s defensive line, despite Peyton Johnson’s seven carries for 33 yards. The Tigers did receive strong defensive efforts from a bigger cast this week led by Johnson (8 tackles) while also seeing CJ Farmer (7 tackles), Shy’Heim Davis (6 tackles), Frank Piccione (5 tackles), Rob Sovula (5 tackles), and David Hubbard, Jr. (3 tackles, 1 interception) make their presence known defensively.
The Tigers have to regroup and get themselves back on track heading into next Friday afternoon’s rivalry game against Fishburne Military School. Every year, both programs have this game circled on the schedule and there always seems to be a heightened level of competition in these rivalry games. It should be a great game in Waynesboro, Virginia as two long-time rivals take the field and look to secure a win heading into the home stretch of the season.
Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 PM from Waynesboro, Virginia.
