Hiram vs. Washington

4SHOT Sports

Football - 2008
Hiram vs. Washington
By Larry Williams
Aug 30, 2008, 09:01 EST

Hiram “Hornet” vs. Washington “Bulldogs”

Hiram comes from behind to win
Hornets spoil Pritchett’s debut

Lakewood Stadium – Atlanta, GA

Hiram's QB-Jared McClain hands off to RB-Charlie Sashington.

Atlanta – The Washington Bulldogs hit the Lakewood Stadium turf ready to roll for their new Head Coach Stanley Pritchett (former Douglass H.S. and Atlanta Falcon star) who replaced longtime favorite Rodney Cofield this summer. Things started well for the Bulldogs until they got stung by a bunch of hungry “Hornets” who spoiled Coach Pritchett’s varsity coaching debut.

Both offensive units were pretty stagnant early on but I have to give credit to both teams defensive units for that. Linebacker Branden Bryan, DB-Horace Williams, DB-Branden Smith, DE-Chantz Wingfield and LB-Marcus Mack led Washington’s defense. The Hornets stingers included DB-Tavaris Appleby, SS-Jerrell Benson, DL-Terence Lindley, DL-Ethan Dobson and LB-Pierce Wilder.

The Bulldogs offense struck first when their All-Everything performer Branden Smith took a short pass from QB-Quadral Forte and broke a tackle before racing 69-yards down the left sideline for a touchdown. The PAT made the score 7-0 with 3:52 left in the first-quarter.

Washington's All-State performer Branden Smith raced 69-yards for a touchdown.

A few moments later Washington’s Sanchez McMullen recovered a Hiram fumble on the Hornets 18-yard line. The Bulldogs quickly capitalized on the turnover when Forte connected with WR-Marcus Hightower for eighteen yards and a touchdown, increasing their lead to 13-0 at the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs missed the PAT.

In the second-quarter the Bulldogs got a little to comfortable and the Hornets started stinging, especially running back Charlie Sashington who started running with a lot more reckless abandon. A quarterback sneak by Jared McClain on forth down kept the Hornets drive alive at the Washington 23-yard line.

On the next play Javon Simon scampered 21-yards on an inside counter to put Hiram in a first and goal situation. Sashington finished off the drive with a short touchdown run. The PAT by K-Cody King made the score 13-7 with 7:24 left in the half.

On the ensuing kickoff a Washington player inadvertently touched the ball when he should not have and Hiram’s Tyler Hogue recovered the ball on the Bulldogs 46-yard line. Two runs by Sashington picked up 16-yards moving the ball to the 30-yard line. A few plays later McClain would tie the score on a 1-yard quarterback sneak into the endzone. King’s PAT gave Hiram a 14-13 lead heading into the half.

After giving up two quick TD's the Hiram defense made things tough for Washington's offense.

In the second half the momentum shifted back and forth, Washington would score another touchdown but Hiram would counter with two more touchdowns and come away with a sweet come road victory.

The Final Score: Hiram 27 – Washington 19

Game Day Players:

Hiram: RB-Charlie Sashington, OL-Avery Lindley, DB-Tavaris Appley, LB-Steven Adams, QB-Jared McClain, RB-Javon Simmon, OL-Travis Kellum

Washington: DB\WR-Branden Smith, LB-Branden Bryan, WR-Marcus Hightower, WR-Joshua Gaston

L.A. – “Keeping it Real”

Hey “Bulldogs” I know you miss your beloved former Head Coach Rodney Cofield but now you have a coach in Stanley Pritchett. Watch, listen and learn before you start hanging your heads because of one loss, the season is just starting. As most of you already know Coach Pritchett has played at the highest level you can play and has been coached by some great coaches along the way.

Now does that translate into being a great high school coach, no not necessarily but anytime your going to build something you have to have a solid foundation and the places Coach Pritchett have played and the coaches who have taught him provide him with that solid foundation.

Only time will tell, its only the first game of the season so straight up, walk tall and proud; remember the things that Coach Cofield taught you but also be open to the new things Coach Pritchett will add to your lives, after all you are a what? yea that’s right a Washington “Bulldog”.

I’m out …Peace

"L.A."