Sixth-ranked Springers wriggle free against Hanover

Try as Hanover might against Highland Springs, the Hawks cannot get over the hump for a victory.

The Hawks outplayed the Springers last night before a homecoming crowd and drew many compliments for a stellar effort, but when the clock struck 0:00, Highland Springs was a 13-7 victor.

As Springers quarterback JaQuan Burchette, a senior, said, "I like playing Hanover. We knew going in that it would be a tough ballgame. Hanover always plays hard."

The Springers, 3-1 and ranked No. 6 in The Times-Dispatch Top 10, made the most of two big plays that set up touchdowns to win the Capital District opener for both.

Wyatt Johnson returned the opening kickoff 81 yards before being brought down by Xavier Crocker at the Hanover 7-yard line. The Springers went backward against the Hanover defense, but on fourth down, Burchette threw a fade to the left corner of the end zone and Wayne Pugh leaped above the defender to haul in the TD pass. The score came with 9:26 remaining in the first quarter.

Hanover, behind the running of freshman quarterback Sam Rogers and senior running back Deane Cheatham, controlled the ball, but the Hawks (2-2) couldn't get it into the end zone. A fumbled handoff halted a 15-play drive after the Springers' TD.

A penalty stalled another drive. Hanover had the ball so much that Springers defensive lineman Derrick Hopkins logged 15 tackles.

The Hawks' touchdown came at the end of a 13-play, 85-yard drive with 8:59 left in the game. Rogers (22 carries, 96 yards rushing) looked to his right and threw back to Danny Trsic who ran a post from the left. The play covered 13 yards. Matt Palmen kicked the game-tying extra point.

Highland Springs began the game-winning drive on its 35 with 1:09 remaining. Burchette ran 54 yards on the first play to the Hawks' 11.

"I'd been begging coach to let me run the ball, and I broke one loose," Burchette said. "Once we got that close, we had to make a play. We had to punch it in."

On third down, Burchette headed toward the left corner of the end zone where he ran over Crocker, who met him head on.

"This was an outstanding team victory," Springers coach Loren Johnson said. "Nobody pouted. Nobody fussed. We just played football. It was a quality game. It taught us how to win a close one."

Hanover's disappointment was palpable. This is the third year in a row the Hawks have come oh so close but wound up with a loss.

"It was a good physical game and tough to swallow," Hanover coach Josh Just said. "Lack of effort is not the problem. Mistakes cost us the game. They played their hearts out. We're sick of being close. We need to beat a team like that."

Highland Springs ------------------------- 7 0 0 6 -- 13
Hanover ------------------------- 0 0 0 7 -- 7

HS -- Pugh 10 pass from Burchette (Moore kick)

H -- Trsic 13 pass from Rogers (Palmen kick)

HS -- Burchette 4 run (kick failed)
RUSHING

Highland Springs: Burchette 10 carries 72 yards, Saunders 10-44, Garrison 8-29, Thompson 1-0. Hanover: Rogers 22-96, Cheatham 21-47, Morris 2-3

PASSING

Highland Springs: Burchette 4 completions 6 attempts 45 yards. Hanover: Rogers 9-14-99
RECEIVING

Highland Springs: Folsom 2 receptions 26 yards, Pugh 1-10, Johnson 1-9. Hanover: Facison 3-47, Yorke 2-25, Trsic 2-16, Cheatham 2-11.