Houston Academy too much for New Brockton

Clinging to a seven-point lead in the third quarter, but with momentum on New Brockton’s side, the Houston Academy Raiders needed a big offensive series.

The Raiders got it.

Behind power running of Seth McGowan and Jo-El Bennett, Houston Academy bulldozed down the field on an impressive 14-play, 98-yard scoring drive, easing out to a two-touchdown lead.

That was enough as the 2A fourth-ranked Raiders held off a scrappy Gamecock team 21-7 at Northcutt Field.

“That was a big win,” said Houston Academy coach Jimmy Addison whose team improved to 3-0 overall, 2-0 in Class 2A, Region 2. “That is a good football team over there. I was impressed with them when they came on the field and what I had seen on film.

“Coach (Jim Bob) Striplin has done a really good job with that program. Those guys were extremely disciplined. They are a well-coached team.”

Though disappointed, Striplin was pleased at the effort of his team.

“We played well from start to finish,” Striplin said. “We still have a lot to learn, and this game is definitely a learning tool for us. We will get better.”

Power running by McGowan and Bennett behind a big Raider offensive line proved to be big for HA, which played without starter Andrew Dauphin and back-ups Jordan Parks and Jared Metcalf because of injuries.

McGowan, a senior, was a workhorse, carrying 25 times for 175 yards and two touchdowns.

He also played most of the night on defense.

“That boy is amazing,” Addison said. “He is just slipping and sliding and doing this steady stuff on offense then goes out and plays almost every snap on defense. He is something else. Those type of guys don’t come around very often.”

McGowan said he was surprised at hearing his final offensive numbers.

“I didn’t think it was 25 carries,” McGowan said. “I thought it was less. I am little tired, but I will keep going if they tell me to. I am good to go whenever they need me.”
Bennett, a sophomore, wasn’t bad either.  He had only 13 carries but earned 91 yards, sparked by two hard-charging runs over defenders. He also caught two passes for 22 yards and had a key interception.

“I called him in today and told him, ‘You have to step up,’ ” Addison said. “He did. He had a great night.”

Behind those two and quarterback J.H. Johnson’s 72 yards passing, the Raiders finished with 325 total yards, 253 rushing.

“I was really proud of our offense,” Addison said. “I didn’t think we could run the ball on them like we did. Our offensive line played great.”

McGowan, Bennett and the line came up big at the biggest time, too.

The Raiders built a 14-0 lead midway in the second quarter, but New Brockton cut the lead before halftime and threatened midway in the third quarter to pull even.
Behind a 29-yard keeper by quarterback Hunter Cauley, the Gamecocks moved to the Raider 33.

However, Bennett made a leaping interception of a deep sideline pass at the 2 with 4:24 to go in the period.

Then the Raider offense took over.

McGowan carried four straight times for 28 yards. Bennett followed with four carries for 32 yards, taking the game to the fourth quarter.

McGowan then ripped off runs of 16 and 14 yards. After a 1-yard run by McGowan and a 7-yarder by Bennett, McGowan powered for six more yards before scoring off the right side on a 9-yard run.

Will Andre added the point after to make it 21-7 with 9:36 to go in the game.

The 14-play, 98-yard drive lasted nearly seven minutes.

“That took the air of it,” Striplin said. “It really did. We had a good drive going and the interception didn’t really kill us because we still had them pinned back there, but that drive was definitely the defining moment of the game.”

New Brockton threatened twice after the score, moving to the Raider 35 and 13. The first drive ended on an incompletion as Cauley was under pressure. Travis Gardner intercepted a pass on the other series.

McGowan scored on a 1-yard run on the first play of the second quarter, capping a 10-play, 78-yard drive, to give HA a 7-0 lead.

The Raiders also scored on their next series via a 33-yard J.H. Johnson pass to Britt Owen.

New Brockton answered with an impressive 12-play, 70-yard scoring drive. Cauley scored on a 2-yard run.

The drive was highlighted by a 4th-and-3 conversion on a wide receiver pass and runs of 12 and 19 yards by Cauley.

New Brockton played most of the game without top back Tevin McNair, the area’s leader in rushing touchdowns.

A diabetic, McNair had to leave for Flowers Hospital early in the second quarter because of an insulin problem. He returned in the fourth quarter, but he was not a factor after the Raiders got up 21-7.

“We had game planned all week to get him involved as he had the hot hand, but we had some other guys step up,” Striplin said.

Cauley was one of those, earning 72 yards rushing and completing 13-of-24 for 114 yards. Seth Culverhouse caught six passes for 42 yards and Justin Griswold had five receptions for 68 yards.