For most of the first half the No.8 Roswell Hornets dominated its season-opening game at Collins Hill over the unranked Eagles. The Hornets, who knocked out Collins Hill 30-27 in double overtime in last year’s playoffs, lived in Eagles territory for most of the first half, yet only had a short field goal to show for three trips inside the Collins Hill 20-yard line. A Hornets fumble on the one and a missed field goal kept Collins Hill in the game early and Score 44 member Taylor Heinicke took advantage. The Collins Hill QB hit Nick England on a 51-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a 7-3 halftime lead. In the second half, Roswell once again dominated the ball early, even taking a 9-7 lead with two more Ty Long field goals (41 yards, 35 yards) before Heinicke was at it again.
After a miraculous catch gave the Eagles first-and-goal at the two, it took three QB sneaks before Heinicke broke the plane for the go-ahead score. The two-point conversion was no good, but Collins Hill suddenly had a 13-9 lead with less than five minutes to play.
Roswell started its final drive on its own 25 but could only reach the Collins Hill 39 before a fourth and four pass was dropped by a Hornets receiver. A three-and-out left Roswell with one play and 12 seconds to heave a Hail Mary 62 yards, but Hornets QB JP Douglas could not even get a pass off as Travis Parker sacked Roswell out to ice the game.
In all honesty Roswell dominated the game without a superstar like Collins Hill can boast in Heinicke. The sum of the Hornets is far greater than the parts and you can really see that the TEAM that came in ranked No.8 deserved to be there. In not for silly, season-opening penalties and costly turnovers, the Hornets would have walked away with a big road victory. The Hornets racked up 276 yards to Collins Hill’s 231 and the ground attack of Roswell is certainly one that could keep them playing late in November. Martez Sumler had 61 yards on fifteen first-half carries, but it was his costly fumble on the one that kept the Hornets to only three points early. In the second half, Andrew Kawteng took over and finished with 16 rushes for 92 yards. He was a man possessed at times, but he couldn’t get some clutch yards late, costing his team.
On the other side, Heinicke did enough to warrant his coach calling him the best he’s had in his 23 years. Kevin Reach won his first game as a head coach and he can thank his QB’s moxie and his poise. Heinicke was a perfect 7-7 in the first half and finished with 168 yards and two total TDs. Heinicke is 6’1 and can really throw the ball. A scholarship offer should be coming soon. In the meantime he’ll have to settle for inclusion in the Score 44, an honor that is well deserved after tonight.
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