(September 27, 2019) MINERAL SPRINGS – Hunter Davis recorded Mount Ida’s first 100+ yard performance of the season Friday night, but Mineral Springs was able to amass over 400 yards of offense in a 58-38 victory over the Lions.
Hunter Davis rushed for 144 yards on 29 carries for the Lions, scoring all five touchdowns for Mount Ida. AJ Perez had 12 carries for 77 yards, Baylor Bates had 11 for 66 and John Hoeksema had six totes for 18 yards.
Cameren Lee led the rushing attack for Mineral Springs with 12 carries for 120 yards and a score. Ladarrius Hicks had 19 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns, followed by Keijuan Hicks with eight touches for 68 yards and two scores. Devon Swopes had two carries for nine yards and Jadyn Williams had a three yard run.
Scoring was fast in furious in the first half with both teams scoring four times.
The Hornets were the first to reach the scoreboard with a 28 yard reception to Jadyn Williams with just two minutes gone from the clock. The catch capped a four play 52 yard drive by Mineral Springs. Ladarrius Hicks hit the PAT to give the Hornets a 7-0 lead.
Mount Ida responded with a eight play drive that marched 62 yards downfield and culminated in a four yard run by Hunter Davis. John Hoeksema lumbered in for the two point conversion to give Mount Ida their only lead of the night at the 6:31 mark of the first quarter.
Mineral Springs only needed one play to recapture the lead thanks to a 55 yard run by Hicks. Jevonta Gray caught a pass in the end zone for the two point conversion and the Hornets took a 15-8 lead with 6:17 left in the quarter.
Mount Ida fired back with the longest drive of the evening up to that point with an 11 play 61 yard drive that ended in a 30 yard run by Davis. the two point conversion failed and Mineral Springs clung to a one point lead.
Mineral took to the air for their next score, completing a pass to Gray for an eight yard touchdown. Hicks hit the PAT to move the Hornets lead to 22-14 with 1:15 left in the first quarter.
Undaunted, Mount Ida launched another 11 play drive, this one traversing 71 yards on the field to end in a three yard jaunt by Davis. AJ Perez took the two point conversion in to tie the game at 22 with 6:50 left in the first half.
Mineral Springs reclaimed the lead in less than two minutes with a 46 yard run by Lee. The PAT was wide right and they held a 30-22 lead with 5:33 left in the half.
Mount Ida tied things up once again with 2:21 left in the half on a 17 yard run by Davis.
Mineral Springs tried to end the half with another scoring drive, but was stopped short on a sack by Merlin Vander Weyer.
Mount Ida opened the second half with the ball, but an interception by Devon Swopes ended their bid for the lead. One play later Terrell Fricks took the ball into the endzone from eight yards out to give the Hornets a 36-30 lead with 10:03 left in the third quarter.
Mineral Springs would score again on a four yard run by Hicks with 5:44 to go in the quarter to bump their lead to 44-30.
Mount Ida scored their final touchdown of the night at the 3:02 mark in the third quarter. Davis carried the ball into the endzone from two yards out. Hoeksema took the ball in for the two point conversion to cut the Hornet lead to 44-38.
Mount Ida lost a key player in the next play from scrimmage for the Hornets. AJ Perez was ejected after slinging a Hornet player into a water truck during a tackle that ended up out of bounds.
Mineral Springs would go on to score in the drive on a two yard run by Fricks. He carried the ball in for the two point conversion to give the Hornets a 52-38 lead.
Mineral Springs’ final score came on a seven yard pass to Jadyn Williams with 9:22 left in the game.
The Hornets held on for the 38-28 victory.
Mount Ida will host Murfreesboro Friday night. Homecoming festivities will be held prior to the game with kick off set for 7 p.m.
Mineral Springs travels to Gurdon Friday night with kick off set for 7 p.m.
All statistics are unofficial.
Article Written by Dewayne Holloway