But an 18-7 home defeat to Berry derailed the Huskies’ chances to continue building momentum in the lead-in to conference play. The loss leaves the Huskies at 1-3 with I-Meck play scheduled to kick off this week, with Hough visiting Vance.
Defensively, the Huskies continued to show strength with an inspired performance. However, the ineffectiveness on offense ultimately cost Hough, as Berry was able to pull away in the final minutes.
“I thought defensively we played well,” Hough coach Bobby Collins said. “We couldn’t get anything going offensively, and that’s where the chips fell.”
The Huskies opened the game on the front foot, taking the lead late in the first quarter when sophomore quarterback Evan O’Connor, filling in for injured starter Josh Stilley, punched in a 1-yard run, capitalizing on the short field provided by a Nate Mays interception.
However, that was the last time Hough sniffed the end zone as the Husky offense compiled just 127yards of total offense, compared to Berry’s 328.
The Cardinals (3-1) seized control in the second quarter through two big plays from senior playmaker Germone Hopper. The running back broke free for a 46-yard touchdown run before returning a Hough punt 63 yards to pay dirt to put Berry up 12-7 after two failed extra points.
The Husky defense held for the majority of the second half, keeping the Cardinals out of the end zone until the final 1:30, when a 1-yard quarterback keeper by Kyle Hoffman closed the scoring at 18-7.
“Defensively, we try to bend, but don’t break,” said Collins. “They ran the football well in the second half. They had us 12-7, so all they had to do was maintain that lead.”
The Huskies will seek their first-ever I-Meck victory Friday. Vance is also 1-3.
Defense holding
A silver lining in the Huskies’ defeat to Berry might be the large strides being made by their defense. While Collins employs the “bend, don’t break” strategy, his defense is taking it to heart, producing three goal line stands and several other key stops against the Cardinals that kept the Huskies in a one-score contest until the closing minutes.
Two interceptions, a fumble recovery and four turnovers on downs showed the Husky defense can be a force to be reckoned with. And at the head of that force has been senior safety Mays.
Against Berry, Mays was the commander of the Husky secondary, intercepting two passes in Husky territory and breaking up a pass in the end zone on a crucial second quarter fourth-and-goal.
Mays’ interceptions were both well-timed and potentially game-changing with his first setting up the Huskies’ only score after a 37-yard return to the Cardinal 38 yard-line. His second pick came on the Huskies’ goal line to deny Berry a third score.
“I think (Mays) is one of the better players in the city at the free safety spot,” said Collins.
Field positioning key
The telling factor in the Huskies’ defeat was field position as nearly three-quarters of the Cardinals’ possessions began within 60 yards of the end zone. The threat of return man Hopper was a main reason why.
“We definitely wanted to punt it away from (Hopper),” said Collins. “He changed the dynamics of the game.”
Hough’s James Jackson, filling in for injured punter Nathan Deering, had a busy night, punting seven times for an average of 23 yards. His longest punt, a 38-yard effort, was the punt returned for a score by Hopper.
With Berry starting almost every drive near its own 40, Hough’s offense found itself pinned deep in its own territory, even when the Huskies defense forced a stop.
PATs
Hough quarterback O’Connor endured a rough night, being sacked seven times. ... Mays recovered a surprise onside kick following the Huskies’ only touchdown; however, the ensuing drive resulted in a turnover on downs. ... Hough defensive end Michael Ramirez recovered a fumble in his own end zone to save a touchdown early in the third quarter.
