But ultimately, neither had the impact the Titans needed in a 16-7 loss to the Lions, a team Hopewell beat for the first time a year ago. The loss was Hopewell’s third straight since defeating Providence in its Aug. 19 opener. Hopewell plays at rival Hough Friday.
“We’re just going through a lot of growing pains right now,” said Hopewell coach David Johnson. “We’re going to get it turned around. The kids are working hard. I can’t ask much more from them.”
The first key play, an 11-yard touchdown run by Dominique Heath, gave Hopewell (1-3 overall, 0-1 I-Meck) a 7-0 lead and capped a 55-yard Titan drive that included four first downs. Heath’s touchdown run was the culmination of two productive first quarter possessions that included six first downs, 119 yards and the Titans’ longest gain of the night, a 34-yard run by his older brother Denzel.
When the younger Heath cruised into the end zone, it appeared Hopewell’s offense would be able to move the ball all night. But the Titans managed just six more first downs and 90 yards over the remaining three-plus quarters, despite mixing their personnel and using some formations that included four wide receivers and others that used three running backs.
Then, with the score tied at 7-7 late in the second quarter, Titan Cameron Underwood provided the second key play. He picked off West Charlotte’s T.J. Mixson at the Lion 45 and raced into the end zone. But the play was negated by a block-in-the-back penalty. Instead of taking the lead and grabbing the momentum, Hopewell took possession at West Charlotte’s 30 and turned the ball over on downs as the half ended.
“The interception before the half getting called back was big,” said Johnson. “I’m not saying it cost us the game, but it took a lot of wind out of our sails.”
On the run
West Charlotte (2-3, 1-0) had two touchdowns called back because of penalties. Greg Cunningham returned the second half kickoff 89 yards for a score, but an illegal use of the hands penalty forced the Lions to take possession near midfield. And Mixson had a 37-yard touchdown run called back for holding.
West Charlotte ran 50 times for 303 yards (6.1 yards per carry) and had two runners, Mixson (119 yards) and running back Elijah Jett (142), combine for 261 yards. Mixson had touchdowns of 2 and 6 yards. Jett is a 5-foot-2 freshman.
PATs
Hopewell has played multiple quarterbacks in all its games this year, but last Friday’s game did not begin with Chandler Chase or Tijuan Sifford taking the snaps. Denzel Heath led the offense on the field in the wildcat formation and ran for 43 yards on the opening drive. He surpassed the 100-yard mark on his 10th carry and finished the game with 119 yards on 15 rushes. ... Penalties hurt both teams. Hopewell committed 10 for 76 yards, while the Lions were flagged for 12 infractions for 99 yards. ... Darnell Foster, an all-conference linebacker at North Meck last season, is now playing for West Charlotte. He’ll see his former team this week.
