As was the case last season, I will blog about each game I cover as play-by-play man for my alma mater, Patrick Henry High School in Ashland, Virginia.
Opening night was on the road at the county's newest high school (there were two when I was in school, now there are four), Hanover High.
It was my first trip to the school and it is beautiful. Incredible athletic facilities.
Didn't matter.
PH beat the tar out of 'em.
First four PH possessions----four touchdowns. New QB Jordan Harris shocks the pundits and shows he will throw the ball this year, hitting sophomore Robby Daniels for his first varsity catch, and first varsity touchdown, from 46 yards.
The second drive---QB Jordan Harris runs it in from 30 yards out. Then Troy Leftwich, returning fullback, breaks open from 24 yards. 21-0.
At this point, Hanover's best offensive play is the quarterback taking the snap and running up the middle. Not good.
They do put together a decent drive, then, just before getting into the red zone, the quarterback terribly overthrows his receiver, and the only person close to the ball, is, that sophomore Robby Daniels, who also plays in the defensive secondary. First varsity interception....still first quarter!
Before the quarter was over, the new feature back, DJ Thomas, couldn't help but get in on the act, and romped 51 yards for the 4th TD of the quarter.
Another TD in Quarter 2 made it 35-0 at the half; the second half went quickly as little happened, some PH benchwarmers got much needed experience for down the road, and the Patriots scored one more TD for good measure.
I felt bad for the Hanover kids near the end of the game. It's opening night, at home, in front of classmates, parents, etc., after a month of practice....and they didn't even score. I try, on the broadcasts, to keep in focus the fact that we're talking about 15, 16 and 17 year old boys, not 30 year old men with four-year contracts and agents. So criticism is tricky; if it's warranted, it's done, but never to the point of belittling anyone.
NEXT GAME: This Friday, PH has its home opener against Atlee in the annual "Chick-Fil-A" Bowl. I forgot to mention the Hanover/PH game is now called the "Plantation Peanut" Bowl as of this year.
Last year, PH destroyed Atlee. I suspect more of the same coming.
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