Hanks Hoping To Turn The Season Around Against Coronado This Friday

By Vianet Lopez
Sports Reporter, Hanks Knights

The Knights gave it their all at Friday's home game against the Franklin Cougars. At the end of the game, the Cougars took the win against the Knights, 43-20.

The Knights (0-4, 0-2 district) will face the Coronado Thunderbirds this Thursday, Sep. 22, at Coronado. Game begins at 7 p.m.

"My intentions for the night were to go out there and execute my assignments and to come out victorious, " said junior Chris Thummel.

It was a shaky start for the Knights as Franklin' Marcos Hernandez ran up the middle 35 yards for the game's first score. On the Knights' next possession, senior Adonis Powell fumbled after a big gain. The Cougars took over but were not able to capitalize.

After four incomplete plays, the Knights handed the ball to the Cougars. Apparently, it was the small momentum the Cougars would need as they quickly built a 12-0 lead.

At the beginning the second quarter, the Knights came back fighting.

With three minutes into the quarter, the Cougars dominated the Knights early, taking a 19-0 lead. Junior Patrick Pettis was on key with the kickoff return. A cut through the middle gave the Knights a first down. As the anxious crowd waited for a miracle, senior Eric Thomas came out with a 17-yard reception from quarterback Emilio Noriega, giving the Knights their first touchdown of the night and cutting into the lead, 19-7.

The Cougars struck again as Hernandez came back with another long touchdown run. With 52 seconds left in the first half, the Knights struggled to find an opening until senior Powell carried the ball for a good 20 yards. With only three seconds on the clock, junior Emilio Noriega made an incredible 27-yard touchdown pass to senio Kriss Chacon as time expired, cutting the lead to a manageable 26-14 halftime score.

Three minutes into the second half, the Cougars took the lead, 33-14, and would tack on a couple more scores to seal it against the Knights.

Noriega finished the game 16-for-34 for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Powell led the Knights rushing attack with 20 carries for 147 yards. Thomas led the Knights receving corps with 5 catches for 65 yards and one touchdown.

On defense, senior Cody York led all players with 14 tackles (10 assisted). Junior Marco Ceniceros was second with 11 tackles (eight assisted).

All stats courtest maxpreps.com