by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
(804) 240-2191
Hermitage scored 24 unanswered points to dispatch of Highland Springs Saturday night in the Central Region, Division 6 semifinals.
The Panthers, the No. 2 seed, will host Thomas Dale Friday at 7 p.m. The Knights took care of top-seeded L.C. Bird 28-14.
After Wyatt Johnson caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from JaQuan Burchette, it was all Hermitage as the Panthers won the game of field position.
Hermitage struck in the second period, off a nice play from quarterback Brendon Riddick.
The junior juked two Springers, stiff-armed another, directed Desmond Williams and hit the 6-5 junior from 14 yards out.
As the Springers drove near halftime, Brandon Rogers swiped a Burchette pass and had a fabulous return. It set up a 27-yard field goal from freshman John Stiebel for a 10-6 lead at half.
Hermitage got great field position at Highland Springs’ 35-yard line late in the third period. Six plays later, Riddick cashed in on a two-yard run seven seconds into the fourth period.
From there Hermitage kept the ball on the ground on a mushy turf that cut down on big plays.
But Daryl Howell made one. A snap slipped through Burchette’s hands into the end zone that Howell leaped on for a TD.
“It’s playoffs. Go hard or go home,” Howell said. “I’m a senior. I don’t have anything to lose.”
Highland Springs ended the season at 9-2 with coach Loren Johnson‘s first Capital District championship in his two seasons as coach.
“They won the field-position battle and that’s what the game came down to,” Johnson said. “When you’ve got the ball on the 25-, 30-yard line, you can do some things.”
Highland Springs 6 0 0 6 – 12
Hermitage 0 10 0 14 – 24
HS – Johnson 18 pass from Burchette (kick failed)
H – Williams 14 pass from Riddick (Stiebel kick)
H – FG Stiebel 27
H – Howell fumble recovery in end zone
HS – Saunders 3 run (run failed)
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