HHS denies West Henderson’s first win

Hendersonville’s big-play ability concerned West Henderson head coach Jeff Bailey heading into Friday night’s game at Dietz Field.

After a 42-20 non-conference win over the visiting Falcons, the Bearcats’ take-it-the-distance — on any play — aptitude is going to concern a lot of opposing coaches.

“You’re going to have big plays when you have speed,” Hendersonville coach B.J. Laughter said. “The key is to stick to your game plan, execute and then those plays are going to there.”

Hendersonville sophomore Desmond Whiteside returned the game’s opening kickoff 80 yards, the first of four Hendersonville scoring plays of at least 59 yards.

“Any one of them can go the distance at any time,” West coach Jeff Bailey said. “And they did. We didn’t make them drive the ball. We gave up the big play.”

The win moves the Bearcats to 3-0 for the first time since 2004. West falls to 0-3.

Later in the first quarter, Cedrick Allen (118 rushing yards on 16 carries) scored the first of his two touchdowns after the teams traded fumbles on consecutive plays deep in Bearcat territory. Will Roper’s kick gave Hendersonville the early 14-0 lead.

Just more than 5 1/2 minutes into the game, it looked as if the rout was on. But then West’s offense woke up after producing less than 200 total yards in its first two games combined.

Behind a punishing running game the Falcons moved off of their 48, setting up Dillon Baker’s 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Drew Martin, drawing West to within 14-6 with 5:24 left in the half.

“That always seems to happen,” Laughter said. “We have a good senior-laden team but we lack consistency. We’ll get a lead and then get a little lax up front. Old mo’ kept jumping back and forth tonight.”

Momentum shifted twice more before halftime. Ben Walgenbach (6-of-9 passing for 202 yards) hit James Foster in stride for an 88-yard touchdown on the ensuing drive.

West answered with a nine-play drive — all runs — capped by Baker’s 10-yard keeper, leaving West trailing 20-12 at the break.

“We gave up big plays early and got down 14-0 early but kept plugging away. I’m proud. These kids have kept playing hard.”

Hendersonville used two more big plays early in the second half to reclaim control. Allen took a run right up the middle for a 59-yard TD on the Bearcats’ second play from scrimmage and Whiteside returned an intercepted screen pass 29 yards for a score on West’s next drive.

“Our linebackers (including Whiteside) are sophomores and they’re going to be real good,” Laughter said.

Late in the fourth, Hendersonville kept pounding Allen into the line to keep the clock running. Then Walgenbach hit Daniel Orr (four catches for 110 yards) on a slant which resulted in a 66-yard touchdown.

Such is the dilemma Hendersonville, which will travel to Rosman next Friday, presents opposing defenses. Load up to stop Allen, who has already scored nine touchdowns in three games, and leave yourself open to the big pass play.

Kevin Thomas led the Falcons’ ground game, which produced 188 yards, with 84 yards and a two-yard touchdown late in the third on 12 carries.

West, which will host Mountain Heritage next Friday, produced 239 yards from scrimmage. In the two previous games the Falcons had managed just 171 yards.

“We moved the ball tonight,” Bailey said. “We felt like we could.”

Notes: West senior Jaron Dobbins was injured during pre-game warm-ups. Classmate and team captain Derrick Garren was injured late in the fourth. Both were taken to Pardee hospital before the final whistle.

Summary

West Hendersonville

First downs 16 5

Rushes-yards 53-188 22-120

Passing 3-13-1 6-9-1

Passing yards 51 202

Punts 5-23.2 3-31.6

Fumbles-lost 1-1 2-2

Penalties-yards 7-50 10-85

West: 0 12 8 0 — 20

Hendersonville: 14 6 15 7 — 42

HHS — Whiteside 80 kickoff return, Roper kick.

HHS — C. Allen 2 run, Roper kick.

WEST — Martin 11 pass from Baker, kick blocked.

HHS — Foster 88 pass from Walgenbach, kick failed.

WEST — Baker 10 run, pass failed.

HHS — C. Allen 59 run, Roper kick.

HHS — Whiteside 29 interception return, L. Allen run.

WEST — Thomas 2 run, Thelan run.

HHS — Orr 66 pass from Walgenbach, Roper kick.