ST. MARYS, W.Va. — South Harrison’s already impressive slate of wins got even better on Friday night as the Hawks dominated defending state champion St. Marys on its own field, 43-15.
“It goes back to our offensive line,” said South Harrison coach Brad Jett. “We live and die by our front seven offensively and defensively. We’re being able to run both ways, right and left, and it’s great.”
Senior standout Freddy Canary added to his Kennedy Award and MetroNews Player of the Year candidate resume as well, totaling 318 rushing yards, four touchdowns (including an 80-yard score) and an interception defensively in the win.
Friday’s win served as some vengeance for the Hawks who lost at home to St. Marys a year ago, 47-6.
“This felt a lot better than last year’s game,” Canary said. “That game left something on us and I have been watching film everyday preparing for this game. The game went to our linemen – they worked their butts off tonight and opened up big holes for us, that’s how us backs can do what we can do. We just have to hit the holes.”
Quarterback Landon McFadden and Cam Barnette also added rushing touchdowns for the Hawks, who improved to 8-0. McFadden’s score came from 71 yards out.
McFadden finished with 134 rushing yards on 13 carries, while Barnette added 74 yards on 13 carries as well.
“It’s a whole team effort,” Jett said. “They love each other and they’re playing hard for one another.”
The Hawks led 28-0 before St. Marys made its biggest push of the night, scoring in the final minute of the first half and again in the opening possession of the second half to close its deficit to 28-15.
South Harrison, though, answered with a touchdown on its ensuing possession to squash the St. Marys’ momentum.
“We gave them that seven before the half and we were a little upset,” Jett said. “But that just shows you we are a veteran ball club that we were able to answer – we didn’t fold our tents.”
Up next for South Harrison is yet another pivotal Class A showdown – a road contest next week at undefeated East Hardy.
“We’ll be confident all weekend until we watch film of (East Hardy) on Monday,” Jett said. “Then we’ll be back down to earth.”
St. Marys drops to 6-1 with the loss. Standout running back and linebacker Jaiden Smith dressed, but didn’t play, still battling an injury.
Quarterback Eric Illar did return to the lineup for the Blue Devils after missing the last couple of weeks – he threw for 151 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Dylan Gray had seven catches for 111 yards in the loss as well for St. Marys.
Highlights are posted at the top of the page.