Second half surge leads #7 Matoaca over Hanover 26-7

#7 Matoaca finds themselves at 3-0 for the first time since 2006 after dispatching Hanover 26-7 Friday night. Running backs Quentin and Cam Johnson continued to show why they are two of the biggest breakout players of the 2021 fall season. Q. Johnson had 26 carries for 186 yards and two scores, and his counterpart C. Johnson picked up 95 yards on five touches and scored twice as well.

Their defensive unit led by UVA commit Keyshawn Burgos has been nothing short of terrorizing through their first three games as they have given up just 24 points. Burgos and company thwarted several of the Hawks drives deep in their territory and forced two turnovers.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After a scoreless first quarter, Warriors running back Cameron Johnson converted on fourth and two from inside the five-yard line to give Matoaca a 7-0 lead over Hanover (PAT Gates).

Hawks quarterback Cole Elrod hit Beau Sahnow on a short screen and Sahnow took off deep into Hanover territory. However, the Warrior defense tightened up and forced a Hanover field goal attempt which fell short.

Hanover would bounce back on it's next possession. The Hawks tied the game up with 2:57 remaining before the half when Elrod connected with James Poole on a 23-yard strike in the back of the end zone on 4th down (PAT Dills).

Matoaca defensive back Malachi Cook picked off Elrod on the Hawks opening drive of the second half. A few plays later, Quentin Johnson raced 20-yards to the house (PAT No Good) to put the Warriors up 13-7.

The defensive unit continued to come up big for the Warriors. After a pass interference call gave Hanover new life, Matoaca shut the Hawks down on 4th and 1 to preserve the lead deep into the third period of play.

The duo of Johnson & Johnson (Cam & Quentin) took over in the fourth quarter. Cameron ripped off an 86-yard touchdown run (PAT Gates) and Quentin scored from 30-yards out (PAT Blocked) to give each their second rushing touchdowns of the evening.

Matoaca defensive back Riley Simmons put an exclamation point on the win after he intercepted an Elrod pass that was tipped by teammate Marcus King.

NEXT UP

#7 Matoaca (3-0) has a bye week before returning to action on the road against Central District foe #2 Thomas Dale (2-0) on 9/24. Hanover (1-1) will look to get back into the win column against Mills Godwin (0-2) at home next week.