Hart Factbook 2009

Tale of two halves: Dogs pick off Oconee

Sometimes, it only takes a few seconds.

After Hart County scored 14 unanswered points to take a 14-10 lead in the third quarter against Oconee County Oct. 17, the Dogs' Jermonte Hickman and Quinn Sturghill returned back-to-back interceptions for touchdowns to break open a close game and pull away for the 28-17 victory.

Hart improves to 3-1 in the region, and reduced the logjam at the top of 8-AAA by one team. Hart, Stephens County, Eastside and Franklin County all sit at 3-1 in the standings.

"We had a big win last week and because Oconee hasn't beaten us in years and years, we thought we could just walk on the field and get the win," said HCHS head coach Joby Scroggs, "We did what we had to do in the second half to win."

The last time the Warriors did come out on the winning end was in 1983.

But that drought appeared to be over as the two teams headed for the locker room at the half, with Oconee up 10-0.

"I was concerned in the first half with the wet field and the wet ball," said HCHS offensive coordinator Ben Osborne. "They have a big offensive line that's tough to run on so some of our plays were designed to get to the outside, but I was worried about our guys making good cuts."

Hart's first possession, including a holding call on second down and a fumble on third down, gave Oconee the ball in Hart territory. The defense forced a three and out and Hart took over deep in their own territory.

After a couple of first downs, Hart had to punt and again, the Warriors were in business, this time near midfield. Oconee would drive down for a field goal and take an early 3-0 lead.

"Field position killed us in that first half," said HCHS defensive coordinator William DeVane.

Another stalled drive by Hart gave Oconee the ball back at midfield with 8:37 left in the half.

The Warriors would move the ball into field goal range, but Bradley Bugg's second attempt went wide and the score remained 3-0.

Hart took over at their own 20, but couldn't move the ball. Oconee blocked Landon Beck's punt and returned it to the six-yard line. Two plays later, Warrior quarterback Zach Mettenberger plunged in from the one-yard line and Oconee was up 10-0 with just over a minute remaining in the half.

Hart would mount a drive and give Zain Rowland an opportunity to put three points on the board, but his 47-yard field goal attempt came up short.

"We didn't play very well in the first half," said Jermonte Hickman. "We knew we had to step it up in the second half."

Hart took the opening kickoff of the second half and moved it out to their 33-yard line.

Lined up in the wishbone, Keitius Harper took the handoff from Beck and went 67 yards untouched for the score. Rowland's PAT cut the Warrior lead to 10-7.

"I saw the hole and just hit it," said Harper. "I got great blocking from the line. I knew I was going to take it to the house."

Both teams traded punts for the rest of the third quarter.

On the second play of the fourth quarter, the Dogs' defense forced a fumble and Deon McIntosh recovered it at the Hart 42.

Hart would pick up a pair of first downs on their next drive, but faced a fourth and 16 at the Oconee 32-yard line.

They opted to go for it and Beck found Jeffrey Rucker in the corner of the end zone for Hart's second touchdown. Rowland's PAT made it 14-0 with 8:12 left in the game.

After forcing another three-and-out, the Dogs moved the ball again into Warrior territory and faced another fourth and long, this time at the 34.

They went for it again, but couldn't convert and the Oconee offense was back in business with 3:51 to play.

On their first play from scrimmage, Mettenberger rolled out to set up a screen, but he didn't see the Dogs' Hickman, who snatched it out of the air and ran 34 yards for the touchdown.

"I just read the quarterback and broke on the ball," said Hickman.

Rowland's PAT put the Dogs up 21-10, but Oconee and their high-powered quarterback still had plenty of time.

Until the next play.

This time Mettenberger overthrew his receiver, right into the hands of freshman Quinn Sturghill. He took it 35 yards down the sideline for the score, and in just a matter of seconds, Hart was up 28-10.

Oconee would drive down and answer on a 10-yard pass from Mettenberger to Hutch Roper, but that was it for the Warriors and Hart came away with the 28-17 win.

"It was a tale of two halves, said DeVane. "Just a weird game."

markhynds@hartcom.net