“Frustrating” is how Hillsborough Head Coach Earl Garcia described the first half of the Terriers 20-10 win over the Sickles Gryphons.
Hillsborough hosted the Gryphons with a lot on the line. Garcia was looking for his 200th win. The teams were vying for position in the 6A-8 District. HHS was also celebrating its Homecoming.
There was four generations of Garcia’s family at the game (including himself). His mother, his son and his grandson.
“I wanted to really deflect the 200 buzz and have our football team really concentrate on the big district game,” Garcia explained. “Now that it is over though, I can enjoy having my whole family here, past coaches and friends [to celebrate the 200th win].”
Hillsborough (6-1, 4,0) and Sickles both struggled offensively in the opening quarter. The teams each committed a turnover and went into the second frame scoreless.
“It was frustrating,” Garcia said. “Our guys came from behind; we faced some adversity and fought through it.”
Hillsborough struck first with a one-yard Nigel Harris run in the second quarter and Sickles answered with a 39-yard field goal from Andres Vasquez late in the half.
Sickles (4-2, 1-2) came into Chelo Huerta Field averaging over 200 yards rushing per game. Hillsborough came in averaging over 185 on the ground. Combined, the teams were held to 40 yards rushing in the first half.
“I honestly think that Sickles got away from their bread and butter and tried to throw the ball early,” Garcia said. “We just couldn’t get it going tonight. Luckily our passing game was clicking.”
Jeremey Agrinzonis and the Terriers used quick passes to keep the Gryphons off balance. He was 10-for-16 passing for 132 yards. He threw an interception in the first quarter when Carlos Gamba undercut a short crossing route.
Coming out of the halftime-break with a 7-3 lead, Hillsborough opened with the ball. However, a quick three-and-out allowed Sickles to get back to what it wanted to do.
Down 7-3 Sickles ran the ball right down the field, literally. The Gryphons rushed five times for 60 yards in under three minutes to take the lead on a LaDondra Crittenden 9-yard run.
“It was a real gut check,” Garcia said. “It was a real frustrating game.”
Hillsborough was able to get back to its rushing attack as well, answering on a 14-yard run by Anthony Brown. Brown finished with 107 yards on 17 carries. He had only 8 yards on 7 carries in the first half.
Garcia spoke highly of Brown’s effort. He played both ways and barely missed a snap
“We got a bit of bad news yesterday, which impacted the game,” Garcia explained. Jeremiah Green had an infected tooth that hospitalized him and kept him from playing a in a key game. Green is a key defensive back for the Terriers and is also a nice compliment to Brown.
With a 13-10 lead Hillsborough continued its ground-and-pound. The Terriers went to a wishbone formation and fed the 6-2 195 lb Nigel Harris. He scored from 18 yards out in the fourth quarter to put Hillsborough firmly ahead 20-10, where the score would remain.
Jordan Sherit led the Terriers emotionally. He had five sacks (six additional tackles) and was continuously in Nate Mills’ face, knocking him down countless times.
“It was win or go home at this point,” Sherit said. “We want to control our own destiny and we had to win tonight.”
Sherit said the defense prepared all week for Sickles ground game.
“They’re a great team and they run the ball very well so we knew we had to get them passing,” Sherit said.
The junior DE was humbled in his defensive prowess. “I just want to get to the QB… It’s a great feeling to get to the quarterback and I just wanted to help my team,” he said.
The Terriers have their toughest test of the year as they play @ Armwood next week before hosing King and Chamberlin to close out the season.
Defense:
Hillsborough:
Armaud Herndon (Interception)
Lilrobert Wilson (Interception)
Brandon Walcott (Interception)
Jordan Sherit (Fumble Recovery)
Sickles:
Carlos Gamba (Interception)
Adekunle Olusanya (Fumble Recovery)
Team (Fumble Recovery)
Email: kbennett.ut@gmail.com
Twitter: @KyleBennettUT