The Hargrave Military Academy football team defeated the University of Kentucky junior varsity, 27-10, Friday afternoon at Commonwealth Stadium.
Hargrave, a prep school located in Chatham, Va., improved to 4-1 on the season. This was the only game of the season for the UKJV, comprised primarily of walk-ons and a few varsity reserves.
Hargrave took command early as the Tigers drove 69 yards on their first possession, capped by a three-yard scoring run by running back Mike Ford. On Kentucky?s first possession, Hargrave defensive end Justin Mincey sacked quarterback David Hamilton, forcing a fumble that Tiger linebacker Darrius Dewberry returned 35 yards for a touchdown. Midway through the first quarter, Hargrave led 14-0.
The visitors stretched the lead to 20-0 in the second quarter. Defensive back Corey Goodson intercepted a pass and returned it 49 yards to put the Tigers in scoring position. Quarterback Jarrett Dunston took advantage by hitting wide receiver Joseph Nelm with a 28-yard scoring strike just seven seconds before halftime.
The Wildcats got on the board in the third quarter when J. J. Housley connected on a 27-yard field goal, completing a 16-play, 60-yard drive. Another strong march on UK?s next possession came up empty when Tommy Brummett missed a 33-yard field goal attempt on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Hargrave stretched the advantage to 27-3 with 8:50 remaining when Ford scored his second touchdown of the day on a 14-yard run.
Kentucky replied with its only touchdown of the day. With the Wildcats on their own 41-yard line, tailback Dominic Lewis took a pitchout around left end, found no running room, cut back across the middle, and found a seam for a 57-yard run before finally being dragged down. Tailback Terrell Bankhead finished the drive with a one-yard TD scamper.
?I missed my 210-pound days on that long run,? said Lewis, who has bulked up to 245 pounds while playing defensive end for the UK varsity. ?I thought I had the angle to make it to the end zone before the guy cut me down. Fortunately for us, we were able to get the ball in the end zone with Terrell Bankhead.?
Bankhead finished the drive by scoring on a one-yard run, bringing the final score to 27-10.
Kentucky actually won the battle of total offense, 273 yards to 238, and had 21 first downs to Hargrave?s 14. However, the interception, fumble, missed field goal, and 125 penalty yards combined to scuttle several scoring opportunities.
Lewis led the ground attack with 157 yards on 21 carries. Bankhead added 80 rushing yards on 22 tries.
?I felt really comfortable carrying the ball and I loved doing it,? Lewis said. ?Hopefully I?m able to run on the big stage in the future.?
Running back Keiland Williams paced the Hargrave ground game with 72 yards on 11 carries. Ford rushed 10 times for 68 yards and two TDs. Dunston completed five of seven passes for 98 yards and one score.
Defensively, Hargrave safety Zaine Kitchen led all tacklers with 12 stops and he added a pass breakup. Goodson followed with seven tackles, plus the interception. Mincey had a pair of quarterback sacks, including the one that turned into a fumble return for a touchdown.
The Wildcat defensive effort was led by defensive tackle Richard Gray, who amassed 10 stops, including one for loss. Linebacker Ben McGrath had six tackles, plus a fumble recovery. Linebacker Terry Clayton also had six tackles, including a quarterback sack on a fourth-down play that ended a Hargrave possession.
The Kentucky varsity has an open date on Sat. Oct. 1. The Wildcats return to action Oct. 8 at South Carolina.
