Hornets dispatch Hoxie to move into state playoffs against Jessieville

Harrisburg traveled to Hoxie last Thursday night knowing a win would keep them in a tie for the conference championship. As a result, the Hornets played like they had all year, in workman like fashion, making few mistakes and taking advantage of the Mustangs (4-6, 3-4) errors for a 39-12 win.

The win gave Harrisburg (9-1, 6-1) the home field advantage for the first round of the playoffs next week against Jessieville (5-5, 3A-5).

The Hornets got on the board early, at the 4:38 point of the first period, when Joe Bornhoft scored from the five after the Mustangs had muffed a punt return. Zach Davis passed to Zac Combs for the conversion to give Harrisburg a lead they would never relinquish, 8-0.

Davis then passed to Turner Norsworthy from the seven with :22 left in the first and then to Josh Fallon for the conversion for a 16-0 lead.

"We got some breaks early like the fumbled punt they had around the six," coach Keith Davis said. "We carried it in for a touchdown. Then the momentum just kind of went our way from that point on."

Hoxie finally got on the board with a 13 yard TD pass at the 9:29 mark of the second period. Harrisburg then scored the next 23 points as they began to dominate.

Bornhoft scored his second touchdown, a 66 yard run, with 9:16 left in the second. The PAT was no good giving the Hornets a 22-6 lead.

Mason Costner then got into the act with 2:16 left in the half when he went in from the two. Davis passed to Zac Combs for the two-points to make it 30-6.

The Hornets scored once more in the half when Davis found Jake Streeter from the 16 with :51 showing on the clock. The two-point play failed, but Harrisburg had a commanding lead, 36-6.

"We came out and executed the game plan like we're supposed to," continued Davis. "I was real pleased with the effort. In the second half we were just able to run the clock out."

Both teams scored once in the second half, Streeter kicking a 27 yard field goal for a 39-6 lead in the third period and Hoxie scoring from the two in the fourth to set the final at 39-12.

Davis finished with 15 of 22 passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Streeter caught eight of those passes for 44 yards and a TD. Norsworthy had three receptions for 42 yards, while Combs caught two for 17 yards and Bornhoft one for eight yards.

Bornhoft also led the rushing with 129 yards on 11 carries with two TDs. He was followed by Costner who had 66 yards on 11 carries with one TD, Kelton Costner with three touches for 18 yards and Zac Pretty one carry for five yards.

Pretty was injured last week again Earle when he broke his hand early. He played in a limited role against the Mustangs, mostly on defense. Davis expects to have him back running the ball this week, though.

"Pretty played a little, but he will be back this week to play against Jessiville," said Davis.

Davis commended Barnhoft and Streeter for their games as well as both the offensive and defensive lines.

The coach said he is looking for a tough game against Jessieville saying they are a, "grind-it-out team" who will try to out-hustle you."

Jessieville is the fifth place team from the 3A-5. Game time is 7:30 p.m.