Hawkins showcased an explosive offense as the Hawks steamrolled rival Big Sandy, crushing the Wildcats 69-33.
The Hawks now turn their attention to another nearby rival, the Winona Wildcats. The game is set for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Thursday at Lowrance Stadium in Hawkins. Winona is coming off a 66-21 loss to Overton after falling 62-12 in its season opener.
The win moved Hawkins to 2-0 in non-district play. Through two games, the Hawks have outscored their opponents 102-46, averaging 51 points per game while allowing 23.
Hawkins opened the season with a 33-13 win over Elysian Fields before last Friday night’s 69-33 pounding of Big Sandy. The Hawks have finished 5-5 each of the past two seasons, but this year’s team has its sights set on a playoff berth.
Against Big Sandy, Eli Smith continued his outstanding early-season offensive production, leading a Hawkins offense that piled up 602 yards.
Smith completed 14 of 17 passes for 376 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 29 yards and two scores.
Junior running back Springer Crouch rushed for 140 yards on 14 carries, averaging 10 yards per attempt, and scored three touchdowns.
Wide receiver Trevin Tanner caught eight passes for 160 yards and a touchdown, averaging 20 yards per catch. Eli Snider had four receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns, an average of more than 39 yards per catch. Riggin Smith added two receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Head coach Bill Cowley was pleased with how his team handled the rivalry between schools separated by only six miles.
“Our kids, for the most part, kept their composure throughout the game and didn’t let bad things happen to them,” Cowley said.
Defensively, the Hawks were led by junior Riggin Smith with nine tackles, including three tackles for loss. Junior free safety Anthony Howard recorded three tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.
Cowley, his staff and the Hawks are seeking a playoff spot and want the team focused on steady improvement.
“For the most part our big thing is to tell them we are here to make history in our program. We are teaching them the most important play is the next play. We don’t need to get ahead of ourselves and don’t go trying to create something. We are excited with all that’s going on and we just want to be better every time we take the field. We really don’t want them to be satisfied with where we are at right now,” Cowley said.
After the Winona game, Hawkins will face a talented Overton team before opening district play on the road at Cayuga on Sept. 25. Traditionally strong Carlisle will host the Hawks, followed by games against Como-Pickton, Alba-Golden, Kerens and Frankston.
Cowley expects Winona to present challenges despite the Wildcats’ 0-2 start.
“They (Winona) have a lot of talent over there. They have a really good running back we will have to contain. They do have a great receiver on the team. He can really blow the top off the box if we don’t contain his abilities to break games wide open. On defense, we will have to be tackling well to stop that good running back. On offense, we will have to take whatever they give us and make something happen,” Cowley said.
This week’s game against Winona is the first of two consecutive Thursday night games for the Hawks. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Lowrance Stadium.