Hargrave smashed by Atlantic Shores

CHATHAM — The Seahawks of Atlantic Shores Christian came swooping in to Chatham on Friday, dismantling Hargrave Military Academy 43-18.

The Seahawks (3-2) averaged 25.5 points per game entering the contest and were looking for some redemption after losing to Hargrave 35-21 a year ago. The Tigers (1-2) had hoped to rebound from last week’s loss against Fork Union Military Academy.

“Offensively we hoped to have a great run game and play physical with the Seahawks,” Hargrave coach David Tavenner said.

On its first possession of the game, Hargrave earned a first down behind the elusive running of Dominique Clay, but the drive came to a screeching halt on a costly holding penalty that forced the Tigers to punt on fourth down.

Atlantic Shores took advantage of the good field position and promptly marched 43 yards for its first score of the game, a drive highlighted by a 27-yard pass from quarterback Josh Healy to Todd Haynes.

The Tigers reached pay dirt on their next possession when quarterback TJ Bennett scrambled to avoid two Seahawk tacklers and launched a 41-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Gleason, cutting the lead to 8-6. 

The Seahawks once again got great field position on a kick off return up the middle by Parker Jackson, who was eventually tackled on Hargrave’s 47-yard line. Behind the running of Healey, the Seahawks quickly moved down the field and scored on Healey’s 9-yard quarterback keeper.

The Tigers had no answer for Healey or the Seahawk running game. The visitors gained 381 yards on the ground of which Healey amassed 239, Jackson 128 and Lance Haskins 11. Haskins, an offensive lineman, scored two touchdowns.

Hargrave mounted a comeback in the second quarter after a 34-yard pass to Aaron Brown made it 22-12 in favor of the Seahawks. Atlantic Shores was not fazed, and Lance Haskins barreled in to the end zone carrying a Hargrave tackler with him.

The Seahawks continued to dominate the game, rushing for 126 yards in the third quarter and scoring another touchdown, while the Tigers only managed 5 yards rushing. Senior Dominique Clay was injured on a running play with two seconds remaining in the period and was carried off the field on a stretcher.

No information was available on his condition by the end of the game. Clay accumulated 49 yards on 12 carries before leaving the game.

A dramatic 62-yard pass play from Bennett to Danny Smith capped off the scoring for Hargrave.