COMBINED TACKLE … North Central’s Joey Burt (#33) and Connor Gendron combine to stop Patriot running back Houston Miranda. (PHOTO BY COMMUNITY PHOTOGRAPHER BILL TURNER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
HAMLER (October 27, 2023) – Fifth-seed Patrick Henry Patriots put on a show against 12th-seed North Central Eagles in a 40-8 victory during the first round of the playoffs Friday.
The Patriots started strong, chewing up yardage through 9, 11, and 1 yard runs from senior running back Houston Miranda.
They were then able to squeak out a very narrow first down on fourth and five with a pass to junior wide receiver Lane Jackson that brought out the chains.
A subsequent incomplete pass by junior quarterback Lincoln Creager was followed up by a pair of plays in which Creager held onto the ball, running nine yards for a touchdown on the second. Another run by Miranda completed a conversion and put the Patriots on the board 8-0.
After trading three-and-outs with notable stops from Patrick Henry nearly intercepting a pitch to Connor Gendron and from North Central batting down a pass attempt, the Eagles finally started finding success through a series of direct snaps to Joe Burt.
Across five plays, Burt managed a first down and a total of 15 yards to end the first quarter. Unfortunately, after a three-yard pass to Cameron Laney in their following drive, they were forced to punt it away on fourth and five.
The Patriots immediately went into overdrive, coming back from a holding penalty on their first play to a 60-yard pass from Lincoln Creager to senior Landon Johnson for their second touchdown. Creager then held the ball and ran in for another conversion, bringing the score to 16-0.
After kicking off to the Eagles, senior Patriot defensive back Thomas Smith intercepted a pass on the first play, running it 34 yards for the pick six just eleven seconds after their last score. Smith went on to catch a pass for conversion number three, putting Patrick Henry up 24-0.
In their next drive, North Central again relied on the running game of Burt to make what would be their only first down of the drive on an 11-yard gain, but were unable to put together another, punting on fourth and 16.
Patrick Henry capitalized on the failure of momentum, putting together three first downs in four plays then capping the drive with a 9-yard touchdown run by Miranda. Miranda also ran in the conversion to bring the score to 32-0.
The Patriots forced another three and out from the Eagles before launching what would be their last scoring drive of the game.
They again leaned on Miranda, this time over the span of seven plays. Despite picking up a pair of holding penalties (with North Central catching a penalty for roughing the passer), the drive ended with another combination touchdown/conversion, with both again coming from Miranda.
North Central was only able to squeeze in two plays before the end of the half but got another chance when they received to start the second half. However, they immediately went three and out.
Patrick Henry put it all in the hands of sophomore running back Jaidan Rutter for their first drive of the second half. Rutter ran the ball for nine consecutive plays, initially gaining two first downs and a total of 24 yards.
After the last two plays of the series dropped them to fourth and 12, the Patriots were forced to punt it away.
The Eagles (9-2) were finally able to get some momentum going when they got the ball back, marching down the field. Once they reached the 35-yard line, a 20-yard pitch to Sam Moore was shortly followed by
another 48-yard pitch to Laney, who took it all the way in for North Central’s sole touchdown. Burt made it in for the conversion, putting the Eagles on the board 40-8.
The Patriots pushed all the way back to the red zone on the following drive before taking a knee to run out the clock.
Patrick Henry (9-2) will now host the No. 13 Arlington Red Devils on Friday, November 3, for round two of the playoffs.
NORTH CENTRAL 0 0 0 8 – 8
PATRICK HENRY 8 32 0 0 – 40
PH – Creager 4-yard run (Miranda run)
PH – Johnson 60-yard pass from Creager (Creager run)
PH – Smith 34-yard interception return (Smith pass from Creager)
PH – Miranda 9-yard run (Miranda run)
PH – Miranda 13-yard run (Miranda run)
NC – Laney 48-yard run (Burt run)