Eagles show improvement in loss

Hennessey took steps in the right direction in the season’s third week.

The Eagles just have a lot of steps to catch up.

Starters returned to the lineup and Hennessey scored for the first time this season, but the Eagles were still dealt a 45-12 loss last Friday in their home opener.

Hennessey dropped to 0-3 on the year heading into District 2A-1 games. In its first two defeats, Hennessey was shutout by a combined 103-0.

Hobart looked well on the way to continuing that trend by building a 19-0 lead after the first quarter.

However, Hennessey found the end zone for the first time this season when Brysn Hunt caught a 26-yard pass from Cole Joyce at 10:34 of the second quarter.

Hunt and Joyce missed Week 2’s game at Kingfisher and most of the opener at Perkins-Tryon after suffering concussions.

Both made an impact in their respective returns.

Joyce threw for 132 yards and ran for 100 more. He scored on a 28-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Hunt caught nine passes overall for 124 yards and added six yards on limited carries.

They led Hennessey’s offense to season highs of 14 first downs and 269 total yards.

“We just had major red zone issues on offense,” said Hennessey head coach Paul Hix. “And then on defense our secondary got beat early and often on play action.”

Defense is where the Eagles struggled as Hobart racked up 534 yards.

The Bearcats ran 52 times for 331 yards, making the play action that much more devastating.

Hobart quarterback Cole Moore had just two incompletions in 12 attempts. He threw for 203 yards and two TDs.

Cade Lyons did the lion’s share of work on the ground with 176 yards on 23 carries.

Hobart averaged 6.4 yards per rush.

Matthew Molina caught six passes for 135 yards for Hobart (2-1).

That mix put Hennessey’s defense on the field for 31:08.

Alejandro Ortega and Hunt led that unit with 12 tackles apiece.

Hennessey begins its district schedule Friday when it hosts Alva at 7 p.m.