Patrick Henry fans surely were thinking “here we go again” Friday night at Gainer Field. Frustrated last year in a season opening loss to Hidden Valley, 44-14, the Patriots had fought hard in the first half Friday, only to go to the locker room trailing 7-0.
Patrick Henry Head Coach Brad Bradley got a halftime message across and the Patriots responded with a five-touchdown second half as Patrick Henry pulled away for the 35-7 victory in the season opener for both teams.
Hidden Valley controlled the tempo early as sophomore quarterback Chad Frazier was pushed into the starter’s role after a season-ending ACL tear in a scrimmage against Giles put returning Titan QB Michael Simonic on the sideline.
Hidden Valley scored in the first quarter on a 5-yard run by freshman Walker Brand that was set up by a 60-yard gallop by Titan senior fullback Dylan Johnson.
Patrick Henry came out in the second half with renewed confidence and Brandon Terry’s 5-yard touchdown run with just over five minutes left in the third quarter pulled the Patriots even at 7-7. Patrick Henry put on a rushing clinic the rest of the way as they scored four touchdowns in the final quarter.
The Patriots finished the game with 345 rushing yards on 49 carries. Fourth quarter touchdowns included 1-yard runs by Terry and Xavier Whorley, a 4-yard keeper by QB Zach Cochran and a 66-yard breakaway by sophomore backup QB David Prince. Terry led the PH rushing attack with 126-yards on 16 carries. The Patrick Henry defense also brought its A-game to the second half and held Hdden Valley without a first down.
Photos and recap by Bill Turner [email protected]