Warriors claim homecoming victory
Staff writer
Peabody-Burns Warriors chalked up a strong homecoming victory Friday when they faced a tough Sedgwick Cardinal team and defeated them, 42-23. Now with a record of 2-1, the Warriors face a long road trip Friday to play at Lincoln.
The Cardinals opened the contest with a quick rushing touchdown on the opening drive. With just a few ticks off the clock, the Cardinals went up 7-0.
On offense for the first time, the Warriors went right to work. Chris Hamm, Nolan Hurst, Nick Conquest, and Mario Nava chalked up yardage on the 72-yard drive. Hamm carried the ball over the left side goal line for a touchdown with 4:36 left in the first quarter. The PAT was good and the score was tied, 7-7.
After an unsuccessful series by the Cardinals, the Warriors went right back to work on offense. Nava added a score, rushing in on the right side and the Warriors took the lead. The PAT was good and the score now favored the Warriors, 14-7.
The next Cardinal drive was halted with an interception by Matt Kangas to put the ball back into the hands of the Warrior offense. The Warrior drive ended, however, on a fourth and 10 pass play that fell incomplete with just 40 seconds to go in the first quarter.
The Cardinals, starting deep in their own territory, mounted a scoring drive. With 8:11 to go in the second quarter, the Sedgwick team tied the score, 14-14.
The next drive for the Warriors ended in a turnover when the Cardinals intercepted the ball.
One series later, the Warriors added points with Nava on the touchdown and Hurst adding a two-point conversion, 22-14.
The Cardinals, helped by Warrior mistakes, were able to score before the half. With 23 seconds left in the half, the Cardinals brought the score close, 22-20.
After the half the Warriors wasted no time going to work from their own 34-yard line. The drive, mostly rushing by Hurst, produced another Warrior score from the one-yard line. The PAT was good and the score, 29-20.
The Warriors held the Cardinals to a field goal on their next drive, bringing the score to 29-23.
The Warriors defense took over, holding the Sedgwick squad for the rest of the game. The Warrior offense struck twice more in the third quarter with Chris Hamm and Hurst each scoring a touchdown. One extra point was added and the Warriors brought the final score to an impressive, 42-23.
The reserves finished the game, playing the last nine minutes of the contest.
"This was as hard a hitting game as you'll probably ever see," stated Coach Chris Young. "No one wanted to give this one up. This was certainly a dogfight. The Sedgwick team was outstanding. We made halftime adjustments on them and held their offense to only three in the second half. This was a terrific effort of our whole team."
Three Warrior rushers finished the evening with more than 100 yards.
Nolan Hurst — 22 carries for 209 yards and two touchdowns.
Chris Hamm — 16 carries for 123 yards and one touchdown.
Mario Nava — 102 yards and two touchdowns.
Kurt Phillips also carried 4 times for 38 yards and Nick Conquest carried 2 times for 15 yards.
Caleb Good was 3 of 7 for 39 yards.
Tackling totals included Nolan Hurst 8; Chris Hamm 7; Matt Kangas 7; Nick Conquest 6; Phil Unruh 5; Kurt Phillips 4; Justin Mayfield 3; Brandon Crabtree 3. Mario Nava 3; Adam Carroll 2; Adam Jones 2; Chad Litton 2; Ryan Johnson 2; James Morris 1; Josh Oakes 1; Jonathon Foth 1; Ryan Gaines 1; and Michael Cullinane 1.
