Hough surprises I-Meck rival Mallard Creek in 4AA playoffs
Hough High football scored its biggest win on the largest stage in school history.
The Huskies earned a large measure of redemption with a 19-7 win Friday against I-Meck rival Mallard Creek in the second round of the N.C. 4AA playoffs. The Huskies, who lost the regular-season meeting 26-10, converted three Mallard Creek turnovers into 13 points and dominated on both sides of the line.
Hough was explosive early in both halves, which forced Mallard Creek to respond from behind. A 52-yard pass from Kennique Bonner-Steward to Austin Robinson pushed the Huskies ahead 13-7 to open the third quarter.
Evan Pryor got the Huskies off to a good start with a 90-yard touchdown run on his first touch for a 6-0 Hough lead. The Huskies’ defense twice stopped Mallard Creek in the red zone to preserve the lead in the first half. Mallard Creek pulled itself together to go ahead on Charles Mincey’s 12-yard run with 5:20 in the second quarter.
Records: Hough 11-2; Mallard Creek 10-1.
Three who mattered
Evan Pryor, Hough: Running back gave the Huskies an early jolt of confidence with a 90-yard touchdown run for the game’s first points.
Kennique Bonner-Steward, Hough: Quarterback made the game’s biggest pass with a 58-yard strike to Austin Robinson to go ahead 13-7 in the third quarter. Bonner-Steward also ran for 43 yards on 13 carries.
Cam Lewis, Hough: Nailed 2-of-3 field goal tries in the second half to extend the Huskies’ advantage.
Worth mentioning
▪ Mallard Creek fumbled three times in the first half, losing one. Hough turned that recovery into Pryor’s 90-yard scoring run.
▪ Hough outgained Mallard Creek 288 yards to 188. Both sides relied on the running attack, with Hough churning out 211 yards compared to the Mavericks’ 173.
▪ Hough’s secondary sprang to life when Mallard Creek turned to the pass in the fourth quarter with interceptions by Jalen Frazier and Myles Baker.
▪ Hough limited Mallard Creek to 4-of-14 passing for 15 yards.
▪ Charles Mincey Jr. was the Mavericks’ top ground-gainer with 90 yards on 12 carries.
What’s next: Hough takes on Vance in the third round of the 4AA playoffs.
This story was originally published November 23, 2018 at 10:28 PM.