Hendersonville traveled to their oldest rival to take on Gallatin in the Wave Yard and were able to claim their 2nd Region 5-6A win of the season by defeating GHS 41-7. A dominating 2nd quarter would help spark the COMMANDOS to victory.
HHS would get the ball first but after picking up 5 yards by penalty, the COMMANDOS would run 3 plays for 0 yards and they would call on #97 Quentin Hagan to punt. On Gallatin’s 2nd offensive snap, #88 Jack Busey would force a fumble that #66 Logan Whisnant recovered to give HHS the ball inside Green Wave territory. Two plays later, #10 Ellis Ellis would find the endzone with a 5 yard touchdown run and after the PAT by #36 Thomas Matchell, Hendersonville would have a 7-0 lead. Gallatin would look to respond as they got a drive going with 3 1st down runs before being forced to punt. #13 Jack Brown would have a 1st down run for HHS before a sack would lead to another Hendersonville punt. #26 Stevin Mack would get a tackle for loss for Hendersonville before they would give up a long pass play that would lead to the Green Wave’s lone score as they would end up scoring with a 1 yard run to tie the game at 7. Hendersonville would respond with 3 consecutive touchdown drives the first coming by #25 Torin Baker on a 56 yard run after a failed onside kick attempt by GHS. #1 Jameson Wharton would get a tackle for loss followed by a sack by #56 Kyle Duvall before Wharton stripped the ball from a Gallatin player and raced to the endzone. The TD would not count as it was ruled down and the Green Wave would punt. On the 1st play of this COMMANDO offensive series, Ellis would go 66 yards for another TD to put the COMMANDOS up 21-7. Ellis would then come up with an interception and Ellis, Baker, and #32 Noah Carmean would move the ball for HHS on the ground before Baker found the endzone with a 12 yard run. #48 Anthony Christian would have a big defensive play forcing another GHS punt, but Hendersonville would not be able score as time ran out on the first half.
Gallatin would get the ball to begin the 2nd half and on the 2nd snap, Ellis would have his 2nd interception of the game. HHS would not take advantage as they went 3 & out. A 3rd down sack by Christian and Carmean would force a 3 & out by the Green Wave. A first down run by Baker followed with a big catch by Busey would get Hendersonville in the red zone. Baker would again get in the endzone with an 8 yard run to make the score 35-7. Christian would end the next Gallatin series with a fumble recovery and #11 Luke Manning would lead the COMMANDOS down the field with a 1st down run as the 3rd quarter ended. Ellis would move the ball to the 1 yard line before #61 Donnell Brown scored on a 1 yard run. Brown’s TD would end the scoring as Hendersonville took a commanding 41-7 lead. Defensive plays by #2 Landon Barton, Carmean, and #65 Andrew Kolber would help force a punt, and then the teams would trade punts as the clock ran out.
Hendersonville will return to Memorial Stadium next Friday as the COMMANDOS (3-1) will have a non-region contest against the Ravenwood Raptors (4-1). Kickoff is set for 7:00.
