Junior Mohawks top Hoxie in key conference battle

The Piggott junior Mohawks rebounded from a lackluster performance at Harrisburg the week before, which resulted in a 6-12 loss to the Hornets, and traveled to Hoxie Thursday night where they beat the talented Mustangs 18-14. With the win the Tribe moves to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in 3A-3 play, and back into contention for a conference title.

"We really looked good, the kids came to play," Coach Michael Harrell noted on Friday, "their quarterback (Zach Crisler) is really good and we weren't going to let him beat us. So I put Kain and Nick Haywood both on him and they covered him on every play, it really threw them out of their game."

The Mohawks got touchdowns from Cody Mantz, Kain Haywood and Parrish Mantz as the offensive unit once again found its rhythm. "We really moved the ball good, and the defense did a great job shutting them down," Harrell noted, "we had over 250 yards in offense and held them to just 35..and most of that came on their first scoring drive."

The Mustangs did jump out to an early lead in the ballgame, and at the halftime break had an 8-6 lead. But the Tribe responded in the second half with two more touchdowns, although they weren't able to complete a point-after conversion all night. "We tried kicking the first one, but it was no good," Harrell explained, "and we got stuffed when we went for two on the second touchdown..the third one was really close."

Following the Mohawk's third touchdown the Mustangs returned the ensuing kickoff for their second score, and although they missed the PAT they pulled to within four points. "They tried an on-sides kick following that last touchdown, and they nearly came up with it," Harrell recounted, "but credit Collin Benbrook, he covered the football..it was the play of the game."

Cody Mantz led the Mohawk offensive attack with 135 yards rushing and one touchdown, Kain Haywood finished with 71 yards and a TD and Parrish Mantz had a total of 43 yards and a 12 yard touchdown run.

As mentioned, the victory moves the Tribe to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play as they prepare for Thursday night's home game against Rivercrest. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Parker Field and all Mohawk fans are encouraged to come out and show their support of the junior Mohawks contend for the program's first conference title in decades.