Mohawk running back Zac Redmon (32) spins for positive yardage in last week's win over the Harrisburg Hornets. Also shown are Piggott's Enoch Richardson (44) and Aaron Trammell (72) among other blockers. (Times photo/Tim Blair) [Click to enlarge]

Despite a slow start last Thursday night, the Piggott junior Mohawks rolled to their first win of the season as they took a conference game from the Harrisburg Hornets 22-6. The young Mohawks, who are just finding their stride this season, dominated the contest as they racked-up a total of 232 yards on offense while limiting the visitors to just 17. The only Hornet score came on a long kickoff return by Calen Wallace, as he returned the ball some 70 yards following the Mohawks second score.

The Hornets took the opening kickoff to get the contest underway at Parker Field, and fumbled on the first play from scrimmage. The Mohawks would then turn the ball over, as both squads struggled to establish their running game. During the course of the first half the Hornets would have their troubles hanging on to the football, while the Mohawks would turn it over on downs. As the second quarter drew to a close the Piggott defense made a big stand on fourth and short, inside their own five yard line, and the two teams went into the locker room tied at 0-0 at the halftime break.

But in the second half the Tribe came out fired-up and marched the ball downfield for their first of three touchdowns. That came on a 19 yard run by Zac Redmon with 4:42 to play in the third quarter. Dillon McNew added the two point conversion and the Mohawks enjoyed an 8-0 lead.

On the following drive the Mohawk defense rose to the occasion, and steadily pushed the Hornet offense back toward their goal line. The Tribe got several big stops, including a big tackle by Connor Rodery and Dillon McNew..followed by a gang tackle that included Rodery, McNew and Redmon.

The Mohawks then mounted their second scoring drive, and McNew punched-it in from about three yards out with just :17 left in the third. Redmon came up short on the two-point-conversion and the Piggott lead stood at 14-0.

On the following kick-off the Hornets would get their only score, as Wallace ran it back through a crowd of Piggott defenders. The Harrisburg back, who was easily the biggest player on the field, was touched by the majority of the Piggott kickoff team but took it all the way for the touchdown. The extra point attempt was no good and as the third quarter ended the score stood 14-6 in favor of the Mohawks.

During the fourth quarter the trio of Redmon, McNew and Cody Mantz marched the ball downfield and on third and goal from the three McNew scored to make it 20-6. Quarterback Logan Murray then tacked-on the two point conversion and the Tribe led 22-6 with 3:20 to play. The fourth quarter also featured some of the best defensive play of the ballgame for the Tribe, as they continually held the Hornets at bay.

"We tightened the ship up at halftime," Coach Michael Harrell noted later, "they got it in their heads that they were gonna do it..and they went out and earned it." The coach also talked about the effort he's gotten from the players, despite the slow start to the season, "you know it's not easy getting out here early, at six o'clock in the morning to practice everyday..but these kids have just worked their tails off, I am so proud of them."

On the game Redmon led the assault with 90 yards on 15 carries, McNew had 68 yards on 10 carries, while Cody Mantz finished with 44 yards on eight carries. Quarterback Logan Murray had nine yards on two carries, Lucas Brewer carried the ball one time for 11 yards, Enoch Richardson had two carries for six yards as did Keifer Gunn. The top ball carrier for the Hornets was Garrett Grubbs, who was limited to just five yards rushing.

With the win the junior Mohawks extend their season record to 1-3, and 1-2 in 3A-3 conference play. They'll host the tough Hoxie junior Mustangs this Thursday night at Parker Field with kickoff set for 7 p.m.