Parkersburg Whips Hurricane 35-7
After a dreadful loss to Nitro back in 2008, Willis May, Hurricane's Head Coach at the time, decided to take a sledgehammer to the game film during a team meeting rather than watch it and relive that nightmare. Although the days of film are long gone, perhaps his friend and assistant coach at that time, Jeremy Taylor should do the same with any and all video of last night's debacle.
Hurricane fell to 4-4 after getting outplayed in all aspects of the game by a mediocre Parkersburg (5-3) team. It is difficult to point a finger at any particular area in which the Redskins failed last night because there is blame to be taken in every phase of the game.
4 damaging lost fumbles, key special team failures (once again), dropped passes including 2 potential touchdowns, the offense not being able to sustain drives, the defense allowing a 99 yard drive, failing to defend 2 play action passes that went for easy touchdowns.
Hurricane took the opening kickoff and drove into Big Red territory only to stall, but a well executed punt pinned Parkersburg back on their 1 yard line. However the Big Reds drove 75 yards prior to the Redskins defense stopping them on 4th down.
Once again Hurricane drove the ball only to stall and once again down a punt on the Parkersburg's 1 yard line. This time the Big Red would not be stopped as Kam Mace hit Brandon Strange with a 67 yard TD pass on a simple slant route and Parkersburg was up 7-0.
Hurricane lost Christian Hill to injury during the first half and their offense never seemed to get on track. The Redskins defense had a goal line stand which lead to a missed Parkersburg field goal, and although being totally outplayed, miraculously Hurricane only trailed 7-0 at the half.
During the 1st half Parkersburg had 14 first downs to Hurricane's 3, and out gained the Skins 272 to 70 in total yardage.
On the opening kickoff of the 2nd half, a frustrating trend and an achilles heel of the Redskins reared its ugly head again as the Big Reds returned the kick all the way to the Redskins 3 yard line. One play later it was 14-0 Parkersburg.
Hurricane fumbled away a red zone opportunity when Nathan Roy lost the ball on a 4th and 1 QB sneek, but a few plays later Steven Shine recovered a Parkersburg fumble giving the Redskins another opportunity. Hurricane took advantage and finally got on the scoreboard on a Payton Lunsford 13 yard TD run, cutting the deficit to 14-7.
An inspired Redskin defense lead by impressive stops by J.T. Cooper, Lunsford, and Cameron Kimble, forced a punt after a 3 and out. The momentium was turning, the Hurricane fans finally had something to cheer about and their was excitement on the Redskin sideline. That euphoria last less than a minute, as Curoin Cordon muffed the punt and after a personal foul against Hurricane, Parkersburg took over at the Redskins 22 yard line.
2 play later Mace threw his second TD pass to make it 21-7 Big Red and the game was basically over.
Hurricane lost 2 more fumbles, one on a errant snap on a punt attempt that Parkersburg return for a nail in the coffin touchdown, which added to the final score and the redskins nightmare.
Notes: Lunsford stepping in for Hill had 72 yards rushing. Roy was 14-28 passing for 94 yards and failed to throw a TD pass for the first time this season. Dakota Williams caught 3 passes for 32 yards and Cordon grabbed 7 receptions but only totaled 30 yards.
Defensively Cooper had 11 tackles with 3 for loss. Lunsford and Charlie Womack also registered 11 tackles and Kimble had 10 stops.
Hill's availability for next week, and perhaps the remainder of the season should be determined over the next few days.
