The COMMANDOS captured a 1st round victory in the TSSAA class 6A playoffs by shutting out McGavock 56-0. With the win, HHS moves forward to the 2nd round next week with a record of 8-4.
HHS would kickoff to begin the game, and #48 Anthony Christian would set the tone for the night by coming up with an interception on the 3rd play after #1 Jameson Wharton tip a Raider pass attempt. The turnover set up HHS inside the redzone and they would only need 3 plays to score. After a 1st down run by #10 Ellis Ellis, #25 Torin Baker would rush for a 3-yard touchdown. #36 Thomas Matchell would add the point after to give the COMMANDOS an early 7-0 lead. The Black & Gold defense, led by linebackers Christian and #32 Noah Carmean would force a 3 & out on the ensuing possession. #11 Luke Manning would go to the air following the punt connecting on 1st down passes to Baker, #88 Jack Busey, and Ellis before Baker found the endzone again, this time on a 10-yard run. A sack by #61 Donnell Brown after a tackle for loss by #53 Jaden Thorton along with a tackle for loss by Donnell Brown and #57 Mason Lilly would highlight the next COMMANDO defensive stop as they would force another punt after a 1st down run followed by a 1st down by penalty. Ellis would gain a 1st down on the ground on this series before catching an 83-yard touchdown pass from Manning as HHS would go up 21-0. After another 3 & out forced by HHS with big plays by Donnell Brown, Carmean, and Thorton, HHS would add to their lead with a 4-yard TD run by Carmean that was set up with a catch by Busey. Wharton would get a tackle for loss helping force a MHS punt, then he would have a big catch on offense setting up a 19-yard touchdown run by Manning. Baker would score his 3rd rushing TD of the night with a 28-yard run just before halftime as HHS would be up 42-0.
#66 Logan Whisnant would recover an attempted onside kick to begin the second half and the COMMANDOS would just need 1 offensive snap to get back into the endzone as Manning found Ellis for the 2nd time, this one a 54-yard TD pass. The defense would continue to play well with #56 Kyle Duvall coming up with a tackle for loss followed by a 3rd down stop by Carmean to force a punt, HHS would return the punt. #3 Brice Howden would get a tackle for loss as the COMMANDOS forced another punt. Hendersonville would put the final points up on the next drive as #44 Dannen Kondus would get a 1st down run followed by a 28-yard touchdown by #26 Stevin Mack. The teams would then trade possession before the time ran out with the score 56-0.
Hendersonville (8-4) will move on the 2nd round of the TSSAA class 6A playoffs. Their 2nd round opponent will be Region foe Gallatin (5-5). The game will again be at Memorial Stadium and will kickoff at 7:00.
