By Rebecca Totty
GENOA, Ark. — The Harmony Grove Hornets put 60 points on the board for the second straight week as they easily defeated Genoa Central at Bryant Field in Genoa on Friday night.
The Hornets rained on the Dragons’ Homecoming parade winning 60-21 on a pleasant night which lifted them to 2-0 in 5 AAA action after defeating Bismarck last week 68-14.
Coach Ernie Horstcamp’s squad scored first with 7:38 to go in the first quarter on a 15 yard pass from QB Zach Smith to WR Damion Daniel, Mecca Arnold scored the 2 point play giving the Hornets an 8-0 lead.
The Dragons scored on the ensuing kick-off on a 65 yard return by Guthrie. The PAT was good, cutting the Hornets lead to 8-7.
Harmony Grove added to its lead at 2:29 in the first period when RB Mecca Arnold scored on a 6 yard run. The 2 point conversion attempt failed leaving the score 14-7.
The Hornets went on a scoring frenzy in the second quarter with 5 touchdowns. Daniel scored his second of the night on a 57 yard run at 11;07. Arnold added the 2 point play. The lead was 22-7. Jeremie Edwards scored at the 9:32 mark on a 3 yard run. The 2 point play failed. The lead was 28-7. Arnold scored again at 6:49 on a 2 yard run, and Edwards scored the 2 point conversion pushing the lead to 36-7.
After the Dragons threw an interception, the Hornets were able to score again with 6:13 to go in the half on a RB Xaylon Falls 35 yard run. Edwards converted the 2 point play stretching the lead to 44-7. Falls scored a second time when he intercepted a pass returning it 54 yards for a score. Once again Arnold was good on the 2 point try. The lead stood at 52-7 with 3:39 to go in the half.
Coach Horstcamp made several substitutions on the Hornets next possession. The Dragons were able to push them back to their own goal line. After a bad snap the ball rolled into the end zone. Genoa Central fell on the ball for a touchdown. The PAT was successful. The lead set at 52-14 with 51.3 seconds to go in the half.
For the second consecutive week Harmony Grove played with the sportsmanship rule in effect for the second half which allows the clock to run continuously except for time outs once one team has a 35 point lead. Each team scored once in the second half. Hornet Houston Bryant intercepted a Genoa Central pass and returned it 10 yards for the touchdown with 7:30 to go in the third quarter. Tobias Hicks scored the 2 point conversion giving Harmony Grove a 60-14 lead.
Geno Central scored again with 11:59 to go in the game on a 1 yard run. The PAT was good. The final score was set, 60-21.
Horstcamp voiced pride for his team for their preparation and great effort in the contest. He especially noted the good play by his offensive line and his first team defense. The latter did not give up a score on Friday night.
The win improves the Hornets’ record to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in 5 AAA action. Genoa Central falls to 3-2 over all and 1-1 in conference.
Next up for Harmony Grove: the annual Homecoming Game. They will face Horatio in a conference game. Kick-off is slated for 7:00 next Friday night.
