Rallying past KDB on the road, Hawks control 1-6A fate vs. BHS
KINGSPORT — Trailing 17-0 after one quarter on the road at Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett Friday night, Oct. 12, Hardin Valley Academy’s woes seemed to be an extension of a mistake-prone 17-3 home loss to Science Hill one week earlier.
But the Hawks took flight in the second quarter, eventually outscoring the Indians 35-0 to win 35-17 and, with a 3-1 Region 1-6A record (5-3 overall), maintain control of their region title destiny. Dobyns-Bennett fell to 2-6, 1-3.
Luke DeFur’s 4-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Grayson Vaughn made it 17-7 at halftime. A Cartez Campbell 35-yard TD reception cut the lead to 17-14. Kelton Gunn’s 2-yard scoring run put HVA up 21-17 in the third quarter.
The KDB back-breaker was Gunn’s 81-yard TD catch early in the fourth quarter. Campbell added a 15-yard scoring reception. Josiah Lambert was five-of-five on extra points.
Region showdown versus Bearden
Up next is a tough neighborhood challenge, as the red-hot Bearden Bulldogs (7-1, 3-1) — fresh off its 17-13 home win against nemesis and rival Farragut last Friday night — invade HVA this Friday, Oct. 19. Opening kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
A road win almost assures the Bulldogs of at least a share of the region title and a No. 1 playoff seed. If the Hawks win, the region crown will be decided at Farragut’s Bill Clabo Field Friday night, Oct. 26.
