Welcome back to Houston County former Bears coach Von Lassiter. Your Bleckley County Royals, maybe not so (welcome).
Or at least that appeared to be the case Friday in Freedom Field as Veterans routed the purple and gold visitors 49-21.
Probably more important to the Warhawks was the fact it marked the first time in school history they start the year 2-0 – actually starting out 0-2 most years.
The game started out even enough.
Veterans went three and out but pinned the Royals near their endzone with the punt. In fact, Bleckley County fumbled after a couple of plays. The Warhawks recovered and turned it into Jacob Pierce’s one-yard touchdown run. Daniel Gibbs made it 7-0 with the point after.
Bleckley punted following. Veterans did likewise.
The Royals moved it after but eventually turned it over on downs when they were unable to convert a fourth-and-one. The Warhawks again punted.
Bleckley scored following that on a 70-yard pass from Zach Lassiter to Bryce Bailey. The PAT tied it with the first quarter down to a handful of seconds.
Veterans put together a 70-yard drive after that to take the lead back. Quarterback Sebastian Verger’s 42-yard pass to Cordelle Clark accounted for the score.
The Patriots responded with a 68-yard run by Nykeem Farrow. The point after made it 14-all.
Veterans began to pull away following.
Jadakiss Miller’s 48-yard run and the point after made it 21-14. The Warhawks missed a 30-yard field goal attempt but scored again on the possession following. That was an 80-yard drive finished off by Cyrus Zuell. Gibbs’ PAT made it 28-14, which is where it stood at the half.
Zuell was just getting started.
Bleckley County put the ball on the ground its first two possessions. Veterans – Zuell – turned it into scores; 13 and one yard, respectively. By the time that smoke had cleared, the Warhawks were up 42-14.
Following an interception, Julian Barnes scored from the 6. James Tinney made it 49-14 with the point after. That also signaled the end of the third quarter.
The Royals put together about a four-minute drive after that to make it the final.
Veterans moved it some and then punted and Bleckley moved it some but ran out of clock.
McDonald’s Offensive Player of the Game – # 9 Cyrus Bell
Your Pie/Flint Energies Defensive Player of the Game – #55 Tylon Chambers
