CALHOUN CITY — Avery Hill has emerged as a viable option in the Wildcats’ running attack after the injury suffered by quarterback JR Jennings has forced Howard to move from the running back position to take snaps in the past two games.
Hill’s 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter proved to be the difference maker in the Calhoun City’s 21-15 win over the Houston Hill toppers this past Friday night.
Jennings saw limited time due to a shoulder injury suffered in last week’s 32-27 loss to Coffeeville, but the junior made the best of his time on the field throwing a pair of touchdown passes early in the contest.
Jennings threw the first of his two touchdown tosses to a wide open Raheem Roberson for a 17-yard score. Roberson booted through the extra point to give the Cats’ a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.
Later in the second quarter he found Demarius Howard for a 28-yard scoring toss, but the kick failed allowing Houston to make it a 13-8 ball game when Reggie Buchanan scored on a 5-yard run and added to the two point conversion on the ensuing drive.
Hill scored on a 12-yard run and added the two-point conversion to give the Cats a 21-8 lead early in the third quarter, but once again the Toppers answered with a Will Kirby 22-yard touchdown run and extra-point by Emmit Dendy to tack on the games final score late in the third quarter.
Neither team could manage any points in the fourth quarter and Calhoun City held on to pick up the six-point victory over the Hilltoppers.
Hill rushed for a touchdown and 151 of the team’s 284 yards of total rushing offense while Jennings completed 3-of-5 passing for 55 yards and two touchdowns.
Calhoun City improved to 1-1 while Houston fell to 0-2 on the season.
Up next for Calhoun City will be a team in the same shoes the Wildcats were in this past Friday night against Houston — the Water Valley Blue Devils.
The Class 3A Blue Devils (0-1) dropped a 34-25 season opening decision to the Coffeeville Pirates (2-0) this past Friday night. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.
