Hendersonville completed the season with a perfect Region 5-6A record on Senior Night by defeated visiting West Creek 49-13. The win improves the COMMANDOS record to 7-3 as they prepare for post season play next week.
Hendersonville would kick off to begin the game, and force a turnover on downs after giving up 1 first down to the Coyotes. #32 Noah Carmean would convert a 4th down for HHS on their first drive as would go down the field on a drive that would end with #11 Luke Manning connecting with #26 Stevin Mack for a 32 yard touchdown. #36 Thomas Matchell’s PAT would give the COMMANDOS an early 7-0 lead. The Coyotes would pick up a first down on the ensuing possession before being forced to punt by the Black & Gold defense. First down receptions by #1 Jameson Wharton, #88 Jack Busey, and #8 Mason Baker would highlight the next drive for HHS before Manning would rush for a 15 yard TD to put the COMMANDOS up 14-0. After forcing a Coyote 3 & out, HHS would also go 3 & out and after WCHS blocked the punt they would start the drive inside the red zone. After two penalties against the COMMANDOS, the Coyotes would find the endzone with a 12 yard pass to cut the lead to 14-7. The ensuing kickoff would be returned 85 to the endzone by Wharton, but would be negated due to penalty. The COMMANDOSwould eventually get to the endzone on this drive as #25 Torin Baker scored on a 41 yard run. The teams would then trade punts with big defensive plays made by #53 Jaden Thorton, Mack, #57 Mason Lilly, and Carmean. Hendersonville would then get a big play by Carmean with a catch from Manning to set up a 1st and Goal. #50 Steven Encarncion would find the endzone with a 2 yard TD run to make the score 28-7 as the teams headed to the locker rooms for halftime.
The Coyotes would pick up momentum at the beginning of the 2nd half picking up a couple of first downs after coming up with an interception. Busey would get a tackle for loss followed by a sack by #13 Jack Brown to force a WCHS punt. After a first down run by Mack, Manning would connect with Wharton for a 25 yard touchdown pass as HHS extended the lead to 35-7. #2 Landon Barton would have a big play on the next possession helping lead to a 3 & out, and the COMMANDOS would just need one play to get more points as Torin Baker went for a 57 yard TD run. HHS would force another punt and then go on a scoring drive after Torin Baker’s 51 yard punt return for TD was called back due to penalty, Jack Brown would score the final touchdown of the night for HHS with a 1 yard run. West Creek would score with a pass play and their failed PAT would be the final play of the game as HHS claimed victory in Memorial Stadium 49-13.
Hendersonville will head to the post season with a 7-3 record and will host a TSSAA class 6A playoff game next Friday night. Their opponent will by the McGavock Raider. The Raiders finished the season 5-5. Kickoff for the 1st round of the playoffs will be at 7:00.