Last Friday night the HT Patriots Football team battled it out with the Ipswich Tigers. The Patriots lost 8 to 42, but there were two big plays that were huge turning points in the momentum of the Patriots. The fourth play of the game, Payton Chasing Hawk attacked a long range pass by the tigers intercepting it and running it back for a pick-six. During the play one of our players made a mental mistake causing a blindside block penalty and the touchdown was taken away. We ended up fumbling during that series stopping our drive. In the second quarter, the Patriots had just scored. It was 8 to 14 Tigers and we kicked off. The Tigers ran it all the way back for a touchdown. This turned the lights off on the Patriots literally and figuratively. Our field lights went out a few times during the game, but were able to be reset. At the half the score was 8 to 28 Tigers. We just couldn't get it going in the second half.
Payton Chasing Hawk had nine tackles. Whenever your defensive safety is making more tackles then anyone else on the field there is a problem. Our line is our foundation and right now our line is struggling. We are going to continue to learn, grow, and battle it out on the field. We are not satisfied with how we have played to this point in the season and are working to improve as we go. The season is not over and there is a State Championship up for grabs. We don't have to go 12-0 to win a State Championship. We need to continue to work hard on and off the field, building our strength and confidence, and work to trust each other to do the jobs we have been tasked to do.
We appreciate all of the support by our parents, school, and communities. Please come out and support the HT Patriots Football team this Friday night at 7PM in Tulare. We have a team goal to beat Faulkton and plan on putting forth our best HT Patriots Football team effort to get the job done. Go Patriots!!!