Junior, seventh grade Mohawks roll over Bobkittens

A huge crowd filled Piggott's Parker Field last Thursday afternoon and evening, as the Mohawk junior and seventh grade teams began their 2009 campaigns with wins over Corning. The seventh grade squad built on last year's unbeaten season with a 22-8 wins in their contest, while the junior Mohawks racked-up all their scoring in the first half as they cruised to a 32-0 win.

In the early game the seventh grade Mohawks got two long touchdown runs from Brad Stevens, and another from Eli Smith as they notched the win. "The offensive line has really come around, they did well," Coach Michael Harrell noted of the game, "and on the other side of the ball I was really happy with the play of Justin Clifford at defensive end."

In the junior high contest the tough young Mohawks dominated the first half of play, notching all 32 of their points in the second quarter and holding the Corning offense at bay. In the second half the Bobkittens settled down, but were still no match for the Tribe as the clock ran throughout the remainder of the ballgame due to the mercy rule.

The bruising combo of Kain Haywood and Cody Mantz led the Mohawk attack. Haywood carried the ball 10 times for 103 yards and two touchdowns, and also scored all four of the Tribe's two-point conversions. Meanwhile, Mantz had 102 yards on just eight carries, and in the words of Harrell, "he really ran hard for us tonight."

Also getting touches for the Mohawks were Parrish Mantz with five carries for 36 yares and a touchdown; Luke Brewer with two carries for 16 yards and Jake Scott with two carries for five net yards. As a team the Mohawks had 260 yards rushing compared to just 52 yards of total offense for Corning.

"I was really proud of everyone on defense," Harrell said. That defensive pressure accounted for not only the shut-out, but several Corning turnovers including a fumble that was returned 41 yards for a touchdown by Brewer.

With the wins both teams extend their season records to 1-0, but due to the fact that it was a non-conference game that record remains at 0-0.

Up next for both teams will be another home contest this Thursday, Sept. 17 as they host the Cave City Cavemen. The seventh grade game will kick-off at 5:30 p.m. with the junior game to follow at 7:00. The following Thursday the Earle junior Bulldogs visit Parker Field and on Thursday, Oct. 1 the junior Tribe will visit Harrisburg for the first road game of the year.