Mohawks tame Lions

The Piggott Mohawk football team hosted the Clarendon Lions Friday night at Parker Field, and posted a 45-34 non-conference victory as junior running back Alek Samples ran for over 300 yards and scored five touchdowns. The defense also showed great resiliency, bending a bit early-on but never breaking. Hopefully, the win will provide the Tribe with some momentum as they begin conference play this Friday night on the road at Cave City. But, there was also bad news as end Tanner Murray left the contest in the first half with a broken hand, and running back Zach Trammell was sidelined in the second quarter with a knee injury. Murray reportedly had surgery on the hand Monday and is expected to be out two to three weeks, Trammell is doubtful for this Friday night's game.

The Mohawks took the opening kickoff Friday night, but turned the ball over on the first drive when a Jon Perkins pass tipped off the hands of Corbin Chase and into those of a Lion defender who ran it in for a touchdown. In fact, all three of the Lion's first half touchdowns were the result of Piggott turnovers.

Once the Tribe got the ball back they began to eat away at the Lion defense with runs by Samples, fullback Luke Yount, Zach Redmon, Corbin Chase, Spencer Coomer and Zach Trammell behind a strong performance by the offensive line.

Despite a second half rain shower this would prove to be Samples' night, as he carried the football 31 times for a total of 322 yards. He scored the Mohawks first touchdown on a 60 yard run in the first quarter, and added touchdown runs of six and 34 yards in the second quarter of play. Samples added a 15 yard touchdown pass reception with about nine minutes left in the ballgame and scored his final TD from two yards out with under a minute to play in regulation. He also added a two-point conversion on a pass reception from Perkins late. On the game the Mohawk offense had 434 total yards to 278 by the Lions, despite a big game from sophomore running back Jamarlin Jackson.

The Tribe also got another good game from the defense, including a punt blocked for a safety by senior lineman Cord Pike and big tackles by Taylor Wood, Daniel Chandler, Conner Rodery, Yount and Samples. The play of the defensive backs and linebackers also showed improvement as the team gained confidence in the second half.

Also carrying the ball for the Tribe were, Chase with 31 yards on nine carries, Redmon with 25 yards on just three carries; Yount had 25 tough yards on six carries and Trammell had four yards on three carries before being injured.

"They thought they had us knocked us out, and our kids just didn't quit..they don't give up and they never will," Coach David Hendrix commented after the game. "We really blocked well tonight, there were some big holes for our running backs," he added, "I know their running back was good, but we need to work on tackling."

Friday night the Mohawks will begin their conference schedule with a trip to Cave City to take on the Cavemen. Cave City, playing in their final year in the 3A classification, beat Southside 36-0 on the road in their season opener and defeated Yellville-Summit 34-16 Friday night at home.