Pleasant Grove (6-2, 2-1) quarterback Ahkhari Johnson passed for 121 yards, two touchdowns and rushed for 52 more in leading the Hawks past rival Liberty-Eylau (5-3, 1-2) at Harris Field, 42-15.
The Hawks have dominated the series for several years now, and there wasn’t much doubt Friday night with Pleasant Grove building a 35-7 lead in the first half. R.J. Collins and Jackson Gibson caught touchdown passes from Johnson. Collins also hauled in a 67-yard aerial. Jaylon Boardley, Torion Phillips and Jayden Stewart scored on the ground.
Liberty-Eylau’s first score came on a 40-yard pass from Jaydin Hampton to freshman Dequan Prevo. The Leopards scored in the final half on a pass from Hampton to Telly Wells. Hampton completed 13-27 for 117 yards. L-E managed only 27 yards on the ground.
Johnson selected PG’s MVP
“That’s the best we’ve played all year,” said a jubliant PG coach Josh Gibson. “Our kids came out with a ton of confidence after a great week of practice. We had a bunch of big plays by a lot of kids. This was a big game for us, very special.”
Pleasant Grove coaches cleared its bench in the second half. The Hawks’ only score came late on a 40-yard interception return by Phillips.
Spencer Danner was the Hawks’ leading rusher with 93 yards on 13 carries. Stewart had 56 of PG’s 246 rushing yards. The Hawks had 367 total yards.
The Hawks host North Lamar next Friday, while L-E entertains Pittsburg.