Hixson’s Johnavan Moore moves in to stop East Ridge’s Alonzo Russell.
photo by M.A. Locke
There were no playoff berths on the line or even a chance at finishing with a winning record, but that didn’t keep teams from East Ridge and Hixson battling for bragging rights in the rain at East Ridge’s Raymond James Stadium Thursday night.
The host Pioneers played pretty good football and piled up 452 total yards in an impressive 35-0 shutout over the Wildcats.
East Ridge finishes a disappointing season at 3-7 overall and 3-3 in region play while Hixson finishes its second straight winless season at 0-9 overall and 0-6 in region play.
It was Senior Night at East Ridge and even though a steady rain fell throughout most of the second half, it was a night for celebrating as the home team finished on a positive note.
“It’s nice to get a “W” in our last game and I’m hoping that’s something we can build on,” said East Ridge coach Tim James in the warmth and dryness of the coaches office following the game.
“It’s been a season of frustration for us all. We’ve had moments of greatness, but tonight we were able to limit our mistakes. The kids played hard and that’s a credit to them as it’s been hard on them too, but the bright spot are the kids we have coming back.
“I thought Alonzo Russell threw the ball exceptionally well in the rain and he’ll be a tough one to replace, but I’m just happy to finish the season with a win. That will help us all,” James added.
Tough barely touches the surface when talking about the Wildcats and another winless season. It all began on a sad note in July when Hixson coach Gary Murray lost his father. The season opener with Marion County was cancelled by stormy weather and the situation never seemed to improve.
“It’s been a tough season and July was the toughest month of all when my father passed,” Murray said while heading toward the Hixson dressing room in the rain.
“I never would have made it during that had it not been for these guys. I don’t think any of us had any fun out there tonight, but the best news is I saw a lot of sophomores and juniors playing tonight. It would be easy to be critical of the season we had, but we didn’t quit and most are still out here battling tonight,” he concluded.
Russell certainly had a game to remember in his final appearance in the Pioneer orange as he was the leading rusher for his team with 74 yards on 14 carries and TD runs of 3 and 20 yards. He also completed 11 of 19 passes for 245 yards and touchdown throws of 40 yards to Jalen Boykin and 23 yards to Tre Alexander.
East Ridge had three receivers with three catches apiece, including Boykin with three for 94 yards, Marquan Acklin three for 86 and Alexander three for 48.
The Pioneers finished with 452 total yards, including 207 on the ground and 245 through the air.
The only drawback for the East Ridge was three turnovers, including a fumble on the first drive that was recovered by sophomore Nyikee Logan and a pair of interceptions by senior safety Maurice Carter.
Hixson’s first drive was stopped by an interception by Russell at the 38. Needing just two minutes and 39 seconds, the Pioneers marched 62 yards in six plays and took the lead when Russell connected with Boykin on a pattern down the middle. Caleb Serrato’s first of five straight extra-point kicks gave the hosts a 7-0 lead with 3:12 left in the first quarter.
The Pioneers added two more TDs in the second on Russell’s keeper from the 3 and his second scoring pass of the game to Alexander.
Russell’s 20-yarder midway through the third quarter extended the difference to 28-0 while Boykin scored on the first play of the fourth quarter on an 18-yard run off tackle right.
Serrato’s kick made it 35-0 and brought the mercy rule into effect with a running clock and neither team scored the rest of the way.
Hixson finished with 150 total yards, including 149 on the ground. Logan was the workhorse and finished with 103 yards on 16 carries after piling up 47 yards in the first half.
Senior quarterback Landon Wallace finished with 25 yards on seven attempts.
HIXSON 0 0 0 0 -- 0
EAST RIDGE 7 14 7 7 -- 35
ER – Jalen Boykin 25 pass from Alonzo Russell (Caleb Serrato kick), 3:12 left in first;
ER – Russell 3 run (Serrato kick), 9:32 left in second;
ER – Tre Alexander 23 pass from Russell (Serrato kick), 3:15 left in second;
ER – Russell 20 run (Serrato kick), 6:05 left in third;
ER – Boykin 18 run (Serrato kick), 11:52 left in fourth.
YARDSTICK HIXSON EAST RIDGE
First Downs 10 18
Rushes-Yards 38-149 34-207
Passing Yards 1 245
Total Yards 150 452
Passes (Comp-Att-Int) 1-9-1 11-19-2
Penalties-Yards 2-25 8-70
Fumbles-Lost 3-2 2-1
Punts-Avg. 3-35.7 1-19.0
INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS:
HIXSON RUSHING: Nyikee Logan 16-103; Landon Wallace 7-25.
HIXSON RECEIVING: Maurice Carter 1-1.
HIXSON PASSING: Landon Wallace 1-9
EAST RIDGE RUSHING: Alonzo Russell 14-74; Marquan Acklin 5-45
EAST RIDGE RECEIVING: Jalen Boykin 3-94; Marquan Acklin 3-86; Tre Alexander 3-48.
FUMBLE RECOVERIES: Hixson Nyikee Logan; East Ridge Aubrey Forte, Tyi Mosley.
INTERCEPTIONS: Hixson Maurice Carter 2; East Ridge Alonzo Russell.
(email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)