Harrison dominates Pinny in JPC football opener; week four opponent Beaverton forfeits

By BEN MURPHY

Cleaver Sports Writer

A shutout on defense. A prolific running game. The Harrison football team used that recipe for success once again on Friday. The Hornets were hosting Pinconning in both team’s Jack Pine Conference opener, and they racked up 383 yards of total offense, as they dominated their way to a 64-0 victory. 326 yards of their offensive attack came thanks via the ground game.

“We didn’t know we would have that type of advantage going in, but it ended up getting away from Pinconning pretty quickly, we were on point right away with what they were running (against us) and the kids executed the game plan really well,” head coach Jamie Lipovsky said. “Defensively, I was pretty happy with them recognizing their formations and what plays they were going to run out of it, we really put the brakes on them. Offensively, we moved the ball really well and just kind of one thing led to another.”

The Hornet defense gave up just 35 yards total in the contest. Some quick defensive stops led to multiple offensive opportunities for the Hornets, and they cashed in; leading 24-0 after the first quarter and 48-0 at the half.

“It was the first conference win, that’s the most important one, you don’t want to go in hole if you want a chance to compete for a title,” Lipovsky said. “It was a nice way to start off conference, but we know that it is going to get tougher as we go. Everyone in the league I thought was going to be equal this year, except for Meridian, they have so many people back it will be a real tough team.”

This also marks back-to-back shutouts for the team; something the coach is obviously pretty thrilled about.

“Both weeks the kids really listened well in practice,” Lipovsky said. “We set a game plan, the kids do a great job of communicating what they see on the field and they talk to each other and they just swarm the football. It was really nice to see the kids play hard.”

Eight different players ran the ball for Harrison, led by Aiden Brewer who rushed eight times for 72 yards and one touchdown. Collin Dennis ran seven times for 59 yards and three touchdowns, Nyxon Rhodes carried it seven times for 55 yards and one score and Clayten Austin ran eight times for 53 yards and a score. Daniel Seefeld added 37 yards and a touchdown on seven carries and Errol Mashue ran once for a 22-yard gain. Matt Latunski was two-of-three passing for 35 yards, completing one pass to Kelton Carlstrom for 35 yards and the other to Parker Latunski for 24 yards.

Alex Jansen led the Hornet defense with nine tackles and four sacks, Alex Erskine had four tackles and two sacks, while Rhodes and Brewer hauled in one interception apiece.

While the win was an impressive one, Lipovsky is adamant that the lopsided score was not by design. The Spartans frequently passed the ball, leading to incomplete passes that stopped the ball. Add in the fact that Harrison doesn’t have a deep bench, they weren’t able to enter very many subs into the game.

“We never want to embarrass the other side, it was just one of those things where we don’t have many players, so we don’t have a second unit that goes out on offense or defense and our running backs are the only guys that we have that can run the ball,” Lipovsky said. “Pinconning didn’t eat up any clock at all, so it gave us the ball a lot and when we don’t have any subs, how do you stop a kid from scoring? We never want to run up the score, but that’s what it ended up looking like.”

It isn’t all good news for Harrison (3-0 overall, 1-0 Jack Pine) however, as their week four opponent Beaverton (2-1, 1-0) has canceled the game, due to lack of healthy players. The Beavers defeated St. Louis 36-20 last week, but according to a Facebook post from the Beaverton Athletics account on Monday, multiple injuries occurred during that contest, forcing the cancelation of the game.

“The safety, health and long-term well-being of our student-athletes will always be our absolute top priority,” the Beaverton Athletic Department said via the post. “While we are incredibly disappointed for our varsity players, coaches and fans, this difficult step is necessary to allow our team time to heal.”

This is not expected to impact the junior varsity contest scheduled between the two schools, scheduled in Harrison today (Thursday).

As of Monday evening, Lipovsky said that the Hornets are in search of a replacement opponent for this week. If one is not found, they will be awarded a forfeit victory over Beaverton.

“It’s disappointing, but I understand, all the small schools are in the same boat right now,” Lipovsky said. “Beaverton is no different than Farwell (and their decision last week to cancel) and we are only a handful of injures away ourselves form having the same thing happen to us. I can’t blame Beaverton for what they are doing, at the end of the day our job as high school coaches are to protect our athletes. We are in search (of a new game). We have contacted four or five schools already.”

Editor’s note: Just before press time Harrison High School announced the Varsity Hornets will play the Bulldogs of Centreville at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18 at Centreville.