Turner and defense led Skyhawks to 27-15 win

By Neill Kirkpatrick

Special to the HSSR

Columbia – In a battle of the top two SCISA AAAA teams (HSSR), top ranked Hammond rode the arm of senior Andrew Turner and a stifling first half defense to defeat second ranked Porter Gaud 27-15 Friday at Edens Field on the campus of the Hammond school.

The win improved the Skyhawks record to 3-0 with the win, the Cyclones fell to 3-1 with the loss. Hammond will travel to rival Heathwood Hall (0-2) while Porter Gaud will host Augusta Christian (0-3).

“Andrew is our team leader and his performance tonight was due to his off-season preparation. He got together with his receivers over the summer, they worked on timing, and it showed tonight. I could not be prouder of him or this football team,’ said Hammond head coach Jon Wheeler.

The defense was equally as impressive in the first half as Turner and his offensive cohorts. Porter Gaud came into the game averaging over 400 yards a game on the ground led by the HSSR’s 50^th ranked player senior running back JJ Fludd. The Skyhawk defense, led by linebackers Jackson Ross and Brewer LaMotte and defensive tackle Levi Myers, held the Cyclones to 19 total yards while holding Fludd to zero yards rushing. They forced four punts and allowed only two first downs. 

“Defensively, we did a great job in the first half not allowing them to get anything going and that allowed us to get a big lead. Very proud of them for not giving up anything and for setting the tone for the game,” Coach Wheeler said.

The game started out with both defenses controlling the line of scrimmage as the offenses together could muster only 20 yards between them and a single first down.

Hammond took over at their 20-yard line on their third possession of the first half and after a running play netted zero yards again. The Skyhawks turned to Turner and the passing game. First, Turner would connect with senior wide out Jack Croft three straight times to move the Skyhawks to the Cyclone 39. Then on third and 9 Turner dropped back and lofted a pass down the left side where recent LSU commit Michael Tyler went up over the defender to make the catch and then sprinted into the endzone to complete a 38-yard touchdown catch. The point after was no good and the Skyhawks had a 6-0 led. Turner was 4-4 for 80 yards on the drive.

On their next possession the Skyhawks would increase their lead to 13-0. Turner went 3-5 for 73 yards on the drive including his second touchdown pass on the night when hit a streaking Everett Edens for a 51-yard touchdown pass.

The defense again did not allow the Porter Gaud offense any breathing room and forced another punt. Croft then set the Skyhawks up at the Porter Gaud 39 with a 22-yard punt return.

It took the Skyhawks seven plays to travel the 39-yards including a fourth down pick when Kinson Holland picked up eight yards on a fourth and three. The run gave Hammond a first and goal at the Porter Gaud three. On second down Turner would toss his third touchdown of the half as he connected with Croft from three yards out. The PAT was good and the teams headed to the half we Hammond up 20-0.

Porter Gaud received the second half kick off and the Cyclones showed that they were not ready to quit. The Cyclones, behind their road grading offensive line, went 80 yards in 15 plays (all runs) to finally crack the score board when Fludd scored from nine yards out to make the score 20-7. Fludd showed why he is one of the top running backs in the state as he carried the ball on 11 of the 15 plays racking up 69 yards.

Hammond responded as all championship teams do by scoring on their next drive. Croft returned the kickoff 36 yard giving the Skyhawks a first down at their own 38-yard line. Turner was again the catalyst as he went 3-4 on the drive for 33 yards and he tossed his fourth touchdown pass of the game when he and Croft connected from 17 yards out. That pushed the lead back to 20 at 27-7.

The final score of the game came when Fludd took a pitch going around the right end. He broke a couple of tackles at the line of scrimmage and then out raced the defense for a 73-yard touchdown run. After not gaining a yard in the first half, Fludd gained 167 yards and scored twice in the second half. Tony Brown converted the two-point conversion for the final score of 27-15.

“I am proud of how we played in the second half. That is how we have to play for four quarters if we want to beat a team like Hammond. They are a great team and program and that is why they have so many state championship,” said Porter Gaud head coach Brad Bowles.