Ashville has suffered through 14 straight losing seasons and Vincent hasn’t had a winning season since 2013, but both coaches found reasons to be optimistic about the future of their teams after Ashville earned 41-14 victory on a frigid Friday night in Vincent.
Class 4A Ashville (2-8) broke away from a 21-14 halftime lead with a dominant second half against the Class 2A Yellow Jackets (2-8). Junior Luke Harris scored on runs of 1 and 12 yards to complete short scoring drives, and senior Hunter Hirsch added a 25-yard touchdown run on his first carry of the season.
“There’s no secret to success,” second-year Bulldogs coach Barry Simmons told both teams at midfield afterward. “It’s good, old-fashioned hard work.”
Of his own team, Simmons said: “I’m proud of our effort. This is something to build on going into the offseason.”
Ashville returns most of its offensive line, Luke Harris (who ran for 89 yards on 10 carries, including a go-ahead 41-yard TD run) and quarterback Kevin Harris, who was 9-for-16 passing for 157 yards, all of it coming in the first half.
Vincent will return 14 starters, including both quarterbacks and junior playmaker Tae McGregor, who was untouched when he returned the opening kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown and added a 70-yard TD burst in the second quarter. He also intercepted a pass at the Yellow Jackets’ 4 late in the first half to stop a Bulldogs threat.
“Last year we weren’t competing at all,” second-year Vincent coach Lucas Weatherford said. “It was a culture change. This year our kids have fought to the bitter end. We were outmanned tonight by a 4A team, but I don’t think we quit.”
Star of the game: McGregor showed his speed on the opening kickoff and by running for 100 yards on seven carries.
“He had a special year and have to find some more guys to help him,” Weatherford said.
Play of the game: McGregor’s 70-yard TD run in the second quarter saw him jab step inside to fool a defender.
Key sequence: With the game tied at 14, Vincent drove from its 35 to a first-and-goal at the 1 in the second quarter, but Ashville’s Adriane Hernandez forced Vincent’s Ryan Culliver out of bounds a half yard short of the pylon. Two high snaps from center followed, and Cam Tillman blocked TyQun Goodman’s 42-yard field goal. Luke Harris broke his 41-yard TD run six plays later for a 21-14 lead.
Stat sheet: Culliver ran for 90 yards on 12 carries while Ashville’s Nathan Phillips had three catches for 78 yards, including a diving 24-yard reception on third-and-9 to set up Luke Harris’ 41-yard TD run on the next play. … Hernandez responded to McGregor’s touchdown on the opening kickoff with a 51-yard TD run on the Bulldogs’ first play from scrimmage to tie it 7-7. … Phillips added a 21-yard TD run to tie it at 14 in the second quarter.
By the numbers: 235, rushing yards by Ashville, which went to direct snaps to 10 players at quarterback in the second half. … 208, rushing yards for Vincent. … 392-213, Ashville’s advantage in total offense … 5, passing yards for Vincent. … 17-1, Ashville’s record since 2000 when scoring at least 40 points. … 1-60, Vincent’s record since 2000 when allowing at least 40 points.
Coachspeak: “We were able to run the football tonight, and it’s been tough sledding for us trying to do that this year. Once we got up, we felt we could control the clock and get some guys some touches who haven’t gotten them this year.” -- Simmons
They said it: “We have learned to compete and now we have got to learn how to win. It’s baby steps. We’ve got to get more guys out of the hallways too.” -- Weatherford