Crescent tops Hennessey in defensive battle
CRESCENT’S Reid Hopson (24) and Hunter Wilmoth (2) chase after Hennessey back Keigen Crites during the Tigers’ 13-7 road win last week. [Photo by Beth Curran]
Hennessey’s defense gave the team a chance to win, a stark contrast from a year ago.
The offense, however, is still being molded.
That helped allow Crescent to sneak out of Hennessey with a 13-7 victory last Friday in the season opener for both teams.
“Our guys battled hard and found a way to finish,” said Crescent coach J.L. Fisher, whose roster is stocked with underclassmen.
The Tigers out-gained Hennessey 345-118 and had five times as many first downs.
Still, the Eagles were in it to the very end.
That wasn’t often the case during the 2019 winless campaign when teams averaged more than 50 points a game against the Eagles.
Against Crescent, the Eagles forced three turnovers, including a 46-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Sebastian Gonzalez to tie the game with 8:44 to play in the third quarter.
The Tigers answered back with a 74-yard drive that ended with quarterback Hunter Wilmoth’s 3-yard touchdown run.
Although the two-point run failed, the Tigers had a lead Hennessey couldn’t match.
The Eagles had just four first downs and 64 net rushing yards on 18 attempts.
Keigen Crites led the team with 68 yards on 17 carries.
Crites also led the team with 14 tackles.
Jay Jech was 10 of 14 through the air for 54 yards and had one interception.
That wasn’t enough to help Hennessey sustain drives.
“We committed some of our more experienced line kids to the defensive side, which helped us a lot there, but it left us young and inexperienced on the offensive line,” said Hennessey coach Paul Hix.
Hennessey’s depth was hurt up front as a couple of linemen were quarantined as well. That left four of the five starters up front playing their first varsity game.
“They got better as the game wore on, but didn’t play well in the first half,” Hix said.
Crescent led 7-0 at halftime thanks to Luke Descher’s 13-yard touchdown run with just 1:34 left in the half.
Fisher felt the halftime lead - and final score - should have been larger.
“We should have scored at least three more times,” he said. “Four fumbles in the red zone didn’t help our cause.”
But Wilmoth did.
He toted the ball 29 times for 186 yards to go with 31 passing yards.
“He shined as usual,” Fisher said.
Descher added 79 yards on 19 carries.
Like Hennessey, Crescent was breaking in new players.
“Several freshmen got their first taste of high school football and did really well,” Fisher said.