The Huskies’ win wasn’t pretty, but a plethora of take aways allowed the team to shut the Cougars out in the second half.
Coach Bobby Collins could not have been prouder of his team’s performance on the chilly evening at Vance.
“I told the defense before the game that if we can hold them to seven points or less, we will win the game,” said Collins. “I’m so proud of those boys because of the adversity we were facing with (starting quarterback) Josh (Stilley) out. But backup Evan O’Connor came in, made some big plays and finished the game for us.”
Although his first throw of the game was picked off, O’Connor was able to bounce back from that rough start to throw what proved to be the game-winning touchdown on a 21-yard pass to receiver Nick Burrow with eight minutes remaining.
Vance (1-4, 0-1) appeared to be in good shape in the second quarter after a 50-yard interception return by defensive back Jerome Beatty set up running back Larenz Bryant for a 19-yard scoring scamper. But Hough responded with a scoring drive after the Huskies special teams foiled a fake punt by the Cougars. Hough took over on its own 36 with 2:40 left before halftime. The drive was bolstered by a 40-yard pass from O’Connor to Sanders Poff and capped by a 4-yard Jackson Campbell run to tie the game at the half.
“At halftime, I told them to finish the game,” said Collins. “That score (7-7) basically means it’s like 0-0. Last year, we were in a similar situation with Vance (losing 7-0 at half), so at this week’s practice we really slowed it down to try and show them exactly what Vance would try and do.”
Milestone moment
Wins don’t come easy in the I-Meck, as Hough learned in its inaugural season. The Huskies were closest against North Meck and Lake Norman last year, falling by four and nine points, respectively. So winning the league opener this year opens all kinds of previously closed doors for the second-year program.
“We got our first win, so now we can build from here,” said Collins. “All of the seniors came up with big plays defensively, and our secondary handled the pressure. We got a good group that comes out every week that practices and plays hard.”
That group of Huskies intercepted Vance’s Devan Meadows four times. Brandon Mobley, Tylan Murrell, Ben Craig and Jared Sobo all picked off passes.
A fourth quarter fumble recovery by Husky Nick Lavella on a muffed punt set up the go-ahead touchdown, the 21-yard toss from O’Connor to Burrow. Isaac Aiken recovered a Cougar fumble on the Husky 4-yard line to help prevent a score with 10 minutes left, and Craig’s interception in the final minutes paved the way for the Huskies’ third score, a 20-yard run by Dre Long.
“Defense will win games, but they can only do so much,” said Collins. “When it is time for the offense to make a play, they have to. Tonight we did, and that’s what matters.”
PATs
Hough used the wildcat formation on at least 10 plays against the Cougars. ... Husky defensive end Blake Dueitt was a force on the line helping pressure Vance’s Meadows. He registered two sacks. Michael Ramirez and Brandon Cassarino also had sacks. ... Hough’s Connor Millikin recovered a fumble.
