Hennessey returns to its winning ways with dominant second half at Chisholm

Hennessey broke open a close game with a dominant second half to remain in the playoff discussion.

The Eagles scored 22 unanswered points Thursday to pull away from Chisholm for a 36-8 road win.

Sebastian Gonzalez threw for three touchdowns to help the Eagles improve to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in District 2A-1.

After staking claim to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, Hennessey’s offense stalled in the second and the Longhorns got a 14- yard touchdown run from Grant Biggers.

That pulled Chisholm within 14-8 at the break.

Hennessey used good field position in the third quarter to put the game away, however.

The Eagles had scoring drives of 43 and 37 yards to build a 30-8 lead.

Keigen Crites capped the first drive with a 4-yard TD run and a two-point conversion run.

The next drive saw Nykolaus Snyder run it in from 9 yards out before Gonzalez ran in the twopoint play.

Gonzalez then put the exclamation point on an eight-play, 95-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Weston Smith late in the fourth.

He was 10 of 17 for 173 yards on the night.

He found Seth Simunek for a 52-yard score on just the second play of the night.

Late in the first, Gonzalez connected with Langston Smith for a 63- yard strike.

Weston Smith caught six passes for 47 yards. Simunek’s two hauls totaled 58 yards.

The passing game was bolstered by strong run ning attack.

Crites returned to the backfield to run for 151 yards on just 13 attempts.

Gonzalez added 37 more.

Hennessey averaged 7.7 yards a carry and outgained Chisholm 358-169 overall.

Brandon Mendoza had 11 tackles for the Eagles.

Crites and Snyder had nine apiece.

The Eagles return home Friday to host Alva, which is currently on a threegame losing streak after playing the top-three teams in the district.