Hart's defense recovered well after falling into a quick deficit
Friday night against Kent City, but the Pirate offense was unable to
erase that deficit in a tough 15-6 defeat.
The Eagles scored
all 15 of their points in the first half, and Hart (2-2) got two big
stops in the second to give itself a chance to come back.
Two
long Eagle touchdown drives were the difference in the game. Kent City
powered through the Hart defense for an 88-yard drive in the first
quarter, and delivered a big blow to the Pirates by scoring on fourth
down from the six-yard line on the final play of the first half.
The
Eagles then received the second-half kickoff and appeared on the verge
of a knockout blow when they made their way to the Hart 10-yard line to
start the third quarter. However, the Pirate defense forced a fumble
that Kyle Greiner recovered to give themselves new life.
Later
in the third, Greiner got Hart on the board by getting loose for a
51-yard touchdown run, but a missed two-point conversion kept it a
two-score game.
Kent City ran nearly seven minutes off the
clock on the ensuing possession, leaving the Pirates precious little
time to come back, but after a fourth-down stop, they managed to make
their way to their own 43-yard line. However, a holding penalty followed
by an interception sealed the game for the Eagles.
Greiner
gained 135 yards for Hart on 17 carries, accounting for over half the
Pirates' offensive yardage. He also had a 54-yard kickoff return. Halen
Boos was everywhere defensively, compiling 13 tackles and a fumble
recovery of his own. Haegan Hansen recorded 12 takedowns.
