Hornets Sting Tigers, 34-0

ATHENS—The Wills Point Tigers saw their 2008 regular season get off to a tough beginning as they were shutout by the Athens Hornets, 34-0, Friday night in Athens spoiling the head coaching debut of Wills Point’s Kevin Garvin.

The Tigers, 0-1, will try to bounce back in their home opener as they will host the Lindale Eagles in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday.

Athens wasted little time in taking control of the game against the Tigers as they received the opening kickoff and moved 56 yards in eight plays.

Hornet quarterback Taylor Jackson ended the initial march with a 7-yard touchdown run. Zabdiel Mota added the extra point giving Athens a 7-0 lead with 7:32 remaining in the first quarter. Key plays in the opening Athens scoring drive included 11 yard pass completions from Jackson to wide receiver Tacameo Barker and running back Randall Gamble in addition to a 14-yard scramble by Jackson.

The Tigers moved from their own 14 to the 44 in eight plays including a 14-yard run by quarterback Trent Jurica and a 10-yard pass completion from Jurica to wide receiver Steven Cunigan.

Both squads exchanged punts as a 50-yard effort by Jackson pinned the Tigers deep in their own end of the field at the 9-yard line.

After a Wills Point punt, the Hornets had excellent field position at the Tiger 38 and two plays later, Athens extended its lead.

Hornet running back Stephen Blakemore raced 44 yards for a TD giving Athens a 13-0 advantage with 5:30 remaining in the first quarter. The extra point attempt hit the left goal post.

An 11-yard run by RB Zac Bean and a 31-yard pass completion from Jurica gave Wills Point a first down at the Hornet 43.

Two plays later, the drive stalled as a fumble by Bean was recovered by Hornet linebacker Anthony Crayton at the Athens 30.

The Hornets then moved 70 yards in 10 plays to extend their advantage.

Jackson connected with Barker on a 19-yard TD pass play to end the drive. Mota added the extra point to give Athens a 20-0 lead with 18 seconds to play before halftime. A 16-yard run by fullback Phillip Griffin was a key play in the scoring march.

Wills Point received the second half kickoff and moved from its own 28 to the Hornet 28 in eight plays including a 25-yard pass completion from Jurica on fourth down.

The scoring threat ended for the Tigers three plays later as Jurica was sacked for a 15-yard loss on fourth down giving Athens possession at the Hornet 45.

Five plays later, the Hornets were on the scoreboard again as running back Randall Gamble raced 22 yards for a TD. Mota added the extra point giving Athens a commanding 27-0 lead with 4:24 remaining in the third quarter. Key plays in the scoring drive included running gains of 15 yards and 11 yards by FB James Marshall.

Wills Point’s next offensive series had a negative result as Jurica’s punt was blocked with Stephen Blakemore picking up the ball and running in for a TD. Mota added the extra point to give Athens a 34-0 advantage with 3:02 to play in the third quarter.

Following another Wills Point punt, the Hornets had good field position at the Tiger 44 but the Wills Point defense forced a turnover of its own.

Reserve QB Travis Barkley of the Hornets fumbled after being hit by Tiger defensive back Junior Hamilton.

Another Tiger defensive back, Mason Rosson, recovered the ball at the Wills Point 44.

Pass completions from Jurica covering 14 yards to Cyle Henderson and 10 yards to wide receiver Marquis Burch gave the Tigers a first down at the Athens 34.

The scoring threat ended on fourth down nine as Jurica was stopped after a seven-yard gain giving Athens possession at the Hornet 25.

A 25-yard punt return by Garrett Kinney gave the Tigers one final possession at the Hornet 29.

The drive stalled on fourth down as Jurica was sacked for a four-yard loss allowing the Hornets to run out the clock.