PREP FOOTBALL: Broncos run wild in 2nd half for 36-20 region win vs. Susan Moore

Published 12:03 am Saturday, September 16, 2017

HOLLY POND — Home might be where the heart is, but it also appears to be where Holly Pond is stashing all its wins this season.

Kyler Chaney, Jeremiah Holmes and Rip McBee all ran for at least 100 yards and a touchdown in the second half on Friday night, leading the Broncos to a 36-20 victory over Susan Moore. The triumph improved the Green and White to 3-1 overall, 1-1 in Class 3A, Region 6 play and a perfect 3-0 this fall on Thomas Michelfelder Field.

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It’s the program’s first time starting at least 3-1 in back-to-back seasons since 1993-94.

“I’ve never been so proud of this team,” Chaney said. “We’ve just got to keep going.”

Holly Pond simply wore down Susan Moore in the second half on Friday, gashing the visitors for 322 rushing yards in the final 24 minutes and 440 for the entire tilt. Chaney led the charge with 21 carries for 157 yards, three touchdowns and a pair of 2-point conversions. Holmes was next in line with 16 rushes for 140 yards, a score and a 2-point conversion. McBee lived up to his first name, ripping off 120 yards and a touchdown on just six totes.

A late 74-yard touchdown lifted Holmes’ second-half total to 109 yards, McBee needed just five carries to accumulate 104 yards over the same span, and Chaney answered a Susan Moore TD with an immediate 50-yard scoring scamper to highlight his 103-yard half.

As happy as Mike Bates was to see his backs run wild, he was quick to dish the credit to an entirely different unit.

“That offensive line has been the key to us,” said the Holly Pond coach of starters Riley Gillilan, Colyn Cofield, Brandon Armstrong, Isaac Schwaiger and Jacob Ring. “Those guys are really coming off the ball and believing.”

Chaney completed a pass apiece to Tyler Boatright, Holmes and Caleb Lambert. The latter pair’s receptions came in clutch situations on the Broncos’ first touchdown drive early in the second quarter. They went on to score four more in the second half, quickly transforming a tight 8-6 lead at intermission to much more comfortable margins as the game wore on.

Though it showed signs of tiring late, Holly Pond’s defense did more than enough to keep the Bulldogs leashed most of the evening. Isaac Ludwig picked off an early pass, and Brandon Holmes iced the outcome with a late interception of his own.

Ring was the ringleader of the unit, racking up a deflection and tons of tackles, including a sack and at least one other for loss. Brody Rowell and Tyler Suryono pitched in pass breakups, McBee touted a tackle for loss, and Sean Shaddrix had his name called time and time again for his stops of Susan Moore speedsters Andrew McEvoy and Anthony Cervantes.

Several others also contributed to the victorious effort.

“We wouldn’t have won this game without them,” Chaney said of the D. “They fought as much as they could.”

The Bulldogs’ scores came on an 11-yard run by Ramone Watson, a 3-yard carry by Cervantes and a 26-yard pass from McEvoy to Tanner Sisson.

Holly Pond’s second straight win over Susan Moore came with far less seniors than the season before. Bates said he has only has one starting senior on either side of the ball — and neither actually played football a year ago.

It’s yet to slow the Broncos’ roll from 2016. They’ll hope to use a bye to heal up a few wounds before looking to pick back up where they left off Sept. 29 at home against 2A Asbury.

“This bunch is young, but they’re not afraid,” Bates said. “If you’re still wiggling, they’ll try to hit you. That’s what I like about them. They’re getting better.”