The COMMANDOS defeated Mt. Juliet at Memorial Stadium 41-14 on Friday night to claim the 2019 Region 4-6A Championship. HHS lead 41-0 as the 4th quarter began behind touchdowns by #7 Logan Spurrier, #8 Brent Rowe, #10 Ellis Ellis, #3 Keion Stafford, and #14 Issiah Chandler. Hendersonville would kickoff to begin the contest. After the Black & Gold defense forced a punt in three plays, #44 Helton Porter would block it setting up Spurrier for a 5 yard TD run. On the next series for Mt. Juliet, Hohenbrink and Rowe would combine on a tackle for loss as HHS forced a second straight 3 & out. Hohenbrink would lead the team down the field following the punt as he picked up 1st downs on the ground before converting a 4th down as Rowe would plunge into the endzone with a 1 yard TD run to make the score 14-0. On the ensuing drive, Ellis would force a fumble that #9 Cody Booker scooped up and returned into MJ territory. A couple of penalties on HHS would force them into a 3 & out, but MJ would rough the punter as the COMMANDO drive continued. Ellis would end this drive with a 34 yard touchdown run. On the next possession, Rowe would force a Golden Bear fumble and Booker would be there again for the recovery. Hendersonville could not take advantage of this turnover as they punted after three plays. The Golden Bears would pick up a 1st down with a pass before #59 Evan Zecco had a tackle for loss on 3rd down to force a punt. On this drive Stafford would gain a first down before Hohenbrink hit Spurrier with a pass for a big play that moved the ball inside the 20 yard line. On the next snap Stafford would run into the endzone from 18 yards out, and after #27 Andrew Martin hit the PAT, HHS would be up 28-0. Following another MJHS punt, HHS would ball inside the 10 yard line before attempting a 39 yard field goal on the last play of the half, a mishandled snap would end the half with HHS up 28-0.
The COMMANDOS would begin the 2nd half with the ball and go on a 10 play scoring drive that ended with a 28 yard TD run by Spurrier. Mt. Juliet would convert a 4th down on their first 2nd half possession, but #51 JD Jordan would get an interception and run it back to the 23 yard line to set up HHS with great field position. Hohenbrink would connect with Chandler on a 23 yard TD pass to make the score 41-0. The Golden Bears would move the ball and score with a 24 yard pass. After a Hendersonville punt, Mt. Juliet would again move the ball and score with a 2 yard TD run. HHS would then take a knee to take the 2019 Region Title.
With the win, Hendersonville gets to host a 1st Round TSSAA class 6A playoff game next Friday night. The COMMANDOS will take on the Cookeville Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium at 7:00.