East Hardy pounced early and often against Trinity Christian en route to a 39-0 shutout victory on senior night in Baker last Friday.
The Cougars began their first scoring drive on Alex Miller’s 35-yard rush followed by a four yard rush. Christian Dove notched a 10-yard scramble and East Hardy capped off the possession with a two yard touchdown run by Austin Alt.
East Hardy quarterback Christian Dove connected with Cole Pusl for a 17-yard pass on the second series. Dove scrambled for nine yards, but was brought back on a penalty.
Dove found Andrew Tharp for a 28-yard strike and the Cougars kept the possession moving with a seven yard run by Miller.
Dove finished the drive off with a 13-yard touchdown keeper.
East Hardy (6-3) compiled over 40 yards on the ensuing possession before coughing up the ball.
Alex Miller lost three yards on a run for the first play.
The Cougars got back on track as Dove connected with Noah Lang for 12 yards through the air.
Miller picked up a first down on four yard run and Dove passed to Tharp again for gain of nine.
Miller added three more yards prior to Trinity Christian jumping offsides. Dove fumbled the ball for the first Cougars turnover as the Warriors recovered.
East Hardy’s fourth drive resulted in a touchdown.
The initial 24-yard run by Alex Miller was called back on a penalty. Dove’s pass to Brayden Ritchie fell incomplete, but the next pass connected with Austin Alt for a 42-yard play stopped short of the end zone as the Warriors made a tackle on the two-yard line.
Miller finished off the drive scoring on a two-yard touchdown run.
Miller rushed for 15 yards to commence the next series for the Cougars. Austin Alt gained four yards on a run, followed by another 14-yard gain on the ensuing play to keep the offense moving.
Dove’s pass to Ritchie fell incomplete, but a hold was called against East Hardy. Dove failed to connect with Tharp on the next play.
Christian Dove finds Tharp on a short pass and Tharp finds his way into the end zone for a 20-yard score.
Casey Sine fumbles (turnover) away the ball for the Cougars on the next series.
Alex Miller rushed for a gain of six yards to begin the next possession for East Hardy.
Brayden Ritchie took the handoff 29 yards to the house and carried defenders into the end zone late in the third quarter.
Damian Iman garnered 13 yards for the Cougars to begin the last scoring drive.
Mason Miller found Dawson Price for a gain of 37 through the air, then a holding penalty was called on East Hardy on following play.
Iman was tackled in the backfield by Trinity Christian for a five yard loss, then picked up two yards on the next carry.
Mason Miller located Dawson Price again, but this time Price scored on the 26-yard touchdown pass play to seal the 39-0 victory.
East Hardy ends the regular season at Class AA Petersburg this Friday, then awaits the state playoff seeding. Game information provided by coach Devon Orndorff
