HHS vs. LHS Game Recap

    After a late game scare, the Cougars survive a late rally by Lawndale and beat the Cardinals 34-31 to give them their first opening game victory since the 2004-05 season when they beat South Torrance 34-21.

    The Cougars controlled the majority of the game even though Lawndale had the ball for most of the game. After Lawndale drove on their first drive and scored on a QB sneak on fourth and short Chris Baliey struck back quickly scoring on a 80 yard Kick Return.

    Hawthorne's offense did not touch the ball for the entire first quarter but they still managed to keep the score dead locked at 7 after one. On the Cougars first possesion they didn't waste any time and scored on a two play 60-yard drive with a 15-yard TD run by Chance Kennedy.

     Lawndale then scored on a long touchdown pass and missed the extra point keeping the Cougars in the lead 14-13. Even faster then the first drive the Cougars score in one play a 65-yard run by Isiah Brame giving the Cougars a 20-13 lead over the Cardinals.

    The Cougars come out on the first drive of the half and scored on a 6 play 57-yard drive connecting on a pass from Salaam to Gantt which would become a familiar connection in this game.

    Hawthorne began to struggle late in fourth giving up 12 points in the fourth quarter and trailed for the first time since trailing in the first quarter 7-0. Lawndale scored late putting them ahead 31-27.

    Hawthorne had 72-yards ahead of them in order to win this game and they used every down possible. It was 4th and 9 with 18 seconds left and the ball was on the 32 yard line. Salaam dropped back for a passed and completed a perfect strike to Gantt for a 32-yard touchdown pass with 12 seconds remaining. The Cougars went on to win the game 34-31.

    After the game Coach Kanach said that he was not worried about all of the mistakes that were made. "I watched some college football this past weekened and there were a lot of mistakes made throughout the weekend.  It's just game one jitters and I'm glad we got over them." The Cougars are looking forward to having a promising season starting off with a road win against a cross-town rival.  Great start for the 2011 season.

My Co-MVP's: Medina Salaam & Steven Gantt

Written by:

Victor Martin

Copyrighted September 11, 2011