After winning at Gallatin in the regular season 41-7, the COMMANDOS and Green Wave squared off again in the 2nd Round of the TSSAA class 6A playoffs. This time the game was at Memorial Stadium and HHS was able to move on to the quarterfinal round with a 28-0 victory over rival Gallatin.
Hendersonville would fumble the opening kickoff, turning the ball over to start the game with Gallatin getting the ball at the HHS 34 yard line. The Green Wave would run 4 offensive plays, but be unable to gain a 1st down as HHS got the ball and would drive the ball down the field. A 1st down catch by #10 Ellis Ellis would be followed with 1st down runs by #25 Torin Baker and #11 Luke Manning as Hendersonville would move the ball to inside the 10 yard line. The drive would come up empty for the COMMANDOS as they would end up missing a field goal. The Black & Gold defense would force a 3 & out, and Manning would connect with Baker for a 68 yard touchdown pass. After #36 Thomas Mattchell’s point after, Hendersonville would lead 7-0. Gallatin would get their first 1st down of the game with a run before having to punt. HHS would extend their lead as Baker would have a 19 yard run to endzone after Ellis got the drive started with a run. Good defensive plays by #53 Jaden Thorton and #4 Cooper Dean would help force another 3 & out. Manning would again lead the COMMANDO offense down the field with runs by Baker, #32 Noah Carmean, and Ellis before he would hit #88 Jack Busey for a 1 yard TD, making the score 21-0. After giving up a couple of 1st downs, #13 Jack Brown would get a tackle for loss ending the next Green Wave drive. #5 Will Riley would tackle the punter setting HHS up with great field position. The COMMANDOS would turn the ball over with an interception, but then force another punt after 3 plays. The 1st half would run out on the next COMMANDO possession with the teams breaking with the score 21-0.
Gallatin would gain a 1st down through the air before again being forced to punt on the opening 2nd half possession. Hendersonville would again move the ball with runs by Carmean, Baker, and #26 Stevin Mack before a fumble ended the drive. Busey, Thorton, and Mack would converge on the quarterback getting a sack before Carmean would intercept a GHS pass and return it to the 1 yard line. Mack would gain the 1 yard needed to put up 6 more for the COMMANDOS making the score 28-0. The teams would then trade possessions before Gallatin got a drive going, picking up five 1st downs, but HHS would keep the Green Wave out of the endzone with a stop at the 1 yard line on the final play of the game.
Hendersonville improves to 9-3 on the season and will host a quarterfinal round class 6A game next Friday night. The opponent will be another rematch from the regular season as they will take on another rival in the Beech Buccaneers. The Buccaneers also come into the game with a 9-3 record as the defeated Clarksville 45-7. The COMMANDOS beat BHS 28-10 in week 3 of the regular season on September 3. The game will be at Memorial Stadium and kickoff is set for 7:00.