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Mustangs Surf Golden Tide to Victory

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HUNTINGDON (October 22) — The Mustangs played host to what promised to be one of the best games in the state. Coming into Friday night’s game, Huntingdon looked to rebound from their Westview defeat two weeks prior, while Trenton Peabody looked to add to their 44 game winning streak (second longest in the nation behind Kirtland High School in Ohio with 49). Huntingdon jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in the David versus Goliath match-up coming out the 49-28 victor.

Offensively, the Mustangs were able to move the ball at will, picking up 463 yards in total offense with seven touchdowns. The offensive line provided great blocking throughout the night. Freshman quarterback Gray Eubanks was five of six passing for 102 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, Huntingdon combined for 361 yards, the leading rusher was Aden Hutcherson with 32 carries for 208 yards and two touchdowns followed by Cade Woods with 14 carries for 134 yards.

Leading the Huntingdon defense was senior Blake Reeves with nine tackles followed by junior Landon Gordon with 8 and sophomore C.J. Pelonero with six. Aden Hutcherson and younger brother Ashton both recorded an interception.

Peabody won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kick. The Mustang defense pressured the Golden Tide into a three-and-out.

Starting on the Mustang 36-yard line, Huntingdon moved the ball downfield with ease. Eubanks found an open receiver Eddie Woods for 34 yards and a first down. After recovering a fumbled hand-off, the Mustangs were second-and-long. Eubanks paired with Reeves to cut the distance but soon found themselves fourth-and-ten on the Peabody nineteen. On a play-action pass, Eubanks hit Reeves with the fade in the corner of the end zone. Hunter Britt’s extra point put Huntingdon up 7-0 with 5:23 to play in the first quarter.

With Peabody back on offense, Huntingdon learned real quick why the Golden Tide had such a lengthy winning streak. On first-and-ten, Khalik Ganaway broke free with a 52-yard rushing touchdown. Chase Minton tacked on the PAT tying thing up at 7-7.

Huntingdon responded with their second touchdown of the night. In eight plays, eating upwards of five minutes off the clock, Hutcherson crossed the goal line from five yards out. Britt’s PAT was good as Huntingdon led 14-7 with l:06 to play in the opening quarter.

The Golden Tide knotted it up on their next possession as Ganaway scored his second of the night. Minton’s extra point was good putting the score at 14-14

Looking to control the time of possession, the Mustangs slowly matriculated down the field. Taking seven minutes off the clock in twelve plays for 68 yards, Huntingdon took back the lead for the night and never looked back. Eubanks scored his first rushing touchdown on the night scoring on first-and-goal from the one. Britt added the PAT as Huntingdon went up 21-14 with 2:05 remaining in the half.

Peabody needed to score going into halftime, but instead of putting points on the board, quarterback Sam Driggers was intercepted by Hutcherson in part to the pressure put on by Reeves and Elijah Flowers. From the 49-yard line, the Mustangs made short work up the mid-field starting point. With less than 20 seconds to play, Eubanks threw into double coverage but 6’3’’Reeves out leaped his defenders for the 31-yard touchdown. After an offsides penalty on the point after attempt, Huntingdon elected to go for two and was successful as Hutcherson bowled into the end zone capping the half at 29-14 in favor of the Mustangs.

The second half closely resembled the opening half as Huntingdon controlled the time of possession and kept the Golden Tide defense gasping for air. The Mustang opening drive picked up 74 yards, six points and removed over four minutes from the clock. Eubanks drove up the middle on second-and-goal from the one for his second rushing touchdown. The extra point was no good as Huntingdon led 35-14.

The Golden Tide’s Ganaway responded with another long touchdown, this time from 64 yards out. Minton added the extra point as the Mustang lead was narrowed 35-21.

As the back-and-forth continued, Huntingdon scored on fourth-and-goal from the Golden Tide 7-yard line. In a quick pick and catch, Eubanks hit Wood for the TD. The PAT was missed as the Mustangs went up 41-21.

On first-and-ten, Peabody’s Driggers completed a 44 yard completed Derek Kee for a touchdown. Minton tacked on the PAT as the Golden Tide trailed 42-28.

Game momentum slowed in the fourth quarter, both teams traded possession. With less than five minutes to play, Peabody’s back was against the wall as they looked to score quickly. On second-and-ten from the Golden Tide 39-yard line, Driggers was intercepted a second time.

Taking over on offense, Huntingdon scored the final points of the night with 4:37 left to play. In what could be the play of the night, Hutcherson broke through a gaggle of Peabody defenders and tackles for a 47-yard touchdown. The Mustangs elected to go for two and were successful with a pass from Eubanks to Reeves.

At the end of the game, the Golden Tide and the Mustangs were humble as Huntingdon came way with the 49-28 non-region game.

Next Friday night is Senior Night at Paul Ward Stadium. The Mustangs close out the regular season against Region 7-2A opponent the Union City Golden Tornadoes. Kickoff is 7 p.m.