Panthers score soggy win over Tigers

In preparation for last night's Colonial District game against J.R. Tucker, Hermitage football coach Patrick Kane kept his quarterbacks and receivers after practice Thursday for a little extra pitch-and-catch workout in the rain.

Kane's diligence paid off in the second half, when junior quarterback Brendan Riddick tossed three touchdown passes on a soggy field and led the Panthers to 27 unanswered points in a 34-19 victory.

Riddick completed 5 of 11 passes for 136 yards for Hermitage (3-0, 5-1), which is No. 3 in The Times-Dispatch Top 10. He also carried the ball 14 times for 81 yards and two scores as the Panthers denied the visiting Tigers their first victory in the series since the 2000 season.

"We want to be able to throw the ball in any conditions," Kane said. "We felt we had a couple formations we could utilize, and luckily it worked well in the second half."

No. 10 Tucker (2-1, 4-2) stood toe to toe with Hermitage for a half, answering Riddick's 2-yard quarterback sneak on the Panthers' opening possession with a 1-yard plunge by QB Jered Bennett with 1:31 left in the first quarter. Only a blocked point-after allowed the home team to take a slim 7-6 lead into halftime.

That's when Riddick took over. On the third play of the second half, he connected with Derek Britt for a 50-yard touchdown pass. Then, after Tucker responded with an 11-play, 44-yard march that culminated in the first of Jacob Bennett's two touchdown runs, Riddick found a wide-open Nick Yurchak for a 54-yard score.

Riddick added a 23-yard touchdown run and 12-yard scoring strike to Britt as Hermitage turned what had been a two-point game into a 34-12 runaway with 9:25 left.

"They knew about our passing game, so we wanted to run the ball in the first half and bring them up," Riddick said. "They cheated on a couple plays in the second half, and we hit them deep. My receivers made some big plays."

Jacob Bennett was the workhorse for Tucker, gaining 151 yards on 25 tough carries. But the Tigers hurt themselves with three turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble) and also had two punts blocked.

"The kids played their hearts out and that's all you can ask of them. This one's on me," Tucker coach Matt Crenshaw said. "We've approached every week with a quiet confidence, just trying to get better. This week, it's the coach's turn."

J.R. Tucker ------------------------- 6 0 6 7 -- 19
Hermitage ------------------------- 7 0 20 7 -- 34

H -- Riddick 2 run (Stiebel kick)

JRT -- Jer. Bennett 1 run (kick blocked)

H -- Britt 50 pass from Riddick (Stiebel kick)

JRT -- Jac. Bennett 5 run (run failed)

H -- Yurchak 54 pass from Riddick (kick failed)

H -- Riddick 23 run (Stiebel kick)

H -- Britt 12 pass from Riddick (Stiebel kick)

JRT -- Jac. Bennett 7 run (Lane kick)
RUSHING

J.R. Tucker: Jacob Bennett 25 carries 151 yards, 2 TDs; Carr 7-(minus-3), Jered Bennett 6-28, Long 2-4. Hermitage : Riddick 14-81, 2 TDs, Gordon 12-49, Vaughan 7-29, Wright 2-(minus-5), Green 1-4.
PASSING

J.R. Tucker: Jer. Bennett 5 completions 15 attempts 57 yards 2 interceptions. Hermitage : Riddick 5-11-136-2.
RECEIVING

J.R. Tucker: Long 2 receptions 23 yards, Jac. Bennett 1-15, Cherlin 1-14, Towner 1-5. Hermit age : Britt 3-69 2 TDs, Yurchak 1-54 TD, Grant 1-13.