Huntingdon Moves to Round Two After Big Win Over Loretto

HUNTINGDON (November 8) — The Huntingdon Mustangs hosted the Loretto Mustangs in the opening round of the TSSAA Football Playoffs for Class 2A. In what started as a back-and-forth nail-biter, Huntingdon found its momentum and racked up a 63-28 victory. They advance to the second round to battle the Riverside Panthers.

Looking at the numbers from Friday night, Huntingdon’s offense had 541 yards of total offense. Gray Eubanks completed one pass for 59 yards and ran for 254 yards. Brady Warbritton rushed for 184 yards.

In the first quarter, Huntingdon led Loretto 14-7. At the 8:18 mark, Loretto put up the first points of the night. On second and ten from the thirteen, Mason Tidwell found Corben Reynolds in the endzone. The extra point put Loretto up 7-0.

Huntingdon responded as they marched the ball down the field. From the Loretto 37 yard line, Warbritton went long for the touchdown. Grey Anderson tied the score 7-7.

Loretto was forced to punt on their next drive. Starting at their 22 yard line, Huntingdon gave the ball to Warbritton on the sweep off the right side for his second touchdown of the night. Anderson’s PAT put Huntingdon open 14-7 with a little over two minutes to play in the first quarter.

Moving into the second quarter, Loretto would tie things at 14-14. On third-and-short, Tidwell and Reynolds posted their second pass and catch for a touchdown. The Henry Chambliss PAT was good with 10:33 in the opening half.

A squib kick gave Huntingdon good field position on the next drive. On third-and-three from the Loretto 39 yard line, Eubanks called his own number and broke free picking up a huge first down after being brought down at the 17 yard line. On the next play, Huntingdon was called for a personal foul pushing the ball back to the 27 yard line. The yardage did little to deter Huntingdon as Eubanks ripped up the middle for the touchdown. Anderson’s extra point gave Huntingdon the 21-14 lead with 7:11 on the clock.

Loretta went back to work on offense on the next drive to tie things up 21-21. Tidwell hit Reynolds for a 66-yard touchdown catch with three broken tackles. The Chambliss PAT was good with 6:44 to play in the second quarter.

Huntingdon started the next drive at their 29 yard line. Eubanks broke free for the 71-yard touchdown and Anderson added the PAT as Huntingdon regained the lead 28-21.

With over six minutes to play, Loretto went on another scoring drive. On third-and-two from the seven yard line, Tidwell kept the ball for his fourth touchdown of the night. Chambliss tied it up 28-28.

Huntingdon took the lead back towards the end of the first half. With less than two minutes to go at the five yard line, Eubanks banged ahead for the TD and Anderson had the PAT for a 35-28 lead.

Huntingdon would have another shot at a touchdown before the end of the half. With 25 seconds on the clock, Huntingdon took over at their 41 yard line. Owen King caught a bullet pass from Eubanks for a 59-yard TD. The Anderson PAT put Huntingdon 42-28 at the half.

The third quarter would be all Huntingdon as they were able to score 21 points. The first TD of the second half was at the 11:05 mark on a Warbritton 29-yard touchdown. Then on a punt return, Warbritton fielded the ball at the Huntingdon 45 yard line for the 65-yard punt return with under nine minutes to play in the third quarter.

Loretto was forced to punt on their next offensive series. Huntingdon kept their foot on the accelerator as they moved the ball across midfield. On first-and-ten from the Loretto 41 yard line, Eubanks kept the ball for the TD. Anderson hit all three PATs in the third quarter.

The 41-yard TD by Eubanks was the final scoring drive of the night as Huntingdon went up 63-28 forcing the running clock mercy rule.

The win over Loretto puts Huntingdon’s overall record at 9-2 and advances the Mustangs to round two of the playoffs. They stay home at Paul Ward Stadium to take on the defending 2A State Champions the Riverside Panthers. In the regular season, Huntingdon defeated Riverside 35-21. The winner of next Friday night’s game will play the winner of JCM at Milan in round three, which in all actuality would lead the winner playing for the state championship.