Hendricks hounds HCA Hawks

Tyler Lowey
Times Reporter

 

The Holy Cross Collegiate Hawks picked up their first football win in school history as they grounded the Heritage Christian Academy Hawks 25-12 Friday at Holy Cross Collegiate Field.
“It feels great, I am very proud of these boys. We fought hard and it feels good to get a win for this school,” said HCC Hawks’ head coach Michael Annicchiarico.
It didn’t take long for the HCC Hawks (1-1) to get rolling. After forcing a two-and-out on defence, the Hawks touchdown machine – Jayden Hendricks – took over. Hendricks had the Midas touch; everything he touches turns into a 40-yard touchdown run.
Hendricks took the first play from scrimmage, a sweep to the right, 30 yards deep inside HCA Hawks’ territory. The next play: another sweep to Hendricks for a 10-yard touchdown run.
It was more of the same for the remainder of the first quarter. Sweeps and pitches to Hendricks as he tore down the sideline into the end zone. Just for good measure, he also recovered a fumble and returned that to the house as well.
In the second quarter, with the HCC Hawks up 19-6, Hendricks lit up the HCA Hawks for another 50-yard touchdown run, but this time, he didn’t stop running once he crossed the goal line.
Like Bo Jackson ran into the tunnel following a 91-yard touchdown run against the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 30, 1987, Hendricks kept running through the end zone and disappeared into the gymnasium.
Unlike Jackson, who reappeared moments later, fans were fixated on the gym door waiting for Hendricks to return.
“He had hockey practice,” chuckled Annicchiarico. “We tried to run him as much as we could knowing we only had him for a quarter and a half.”
The HCC Hawks headed into half time up 25-6, but needed a full team effort to pull this one out against ninth ranked HCA Hawks.
The HCC Hawks took to the skies in the second half and started completing some passes.
Josh McCaig led the HCC Hawks with a pair of receptions, and would have hauled in more if he didn’t hyperextend his knee getting tackled after a catch. He credits the work put in during practice for his on-field success.
“We worked a lot on formations and plays this week, along with passing plays,” said McCaig, who is a Grade 9 student at HCC.
“We were young and inexperienced out there today. I didn’t know what to expect with no Grade 12’s on the field,” said Annicchiarico. “It got a little sloppy once Jayden left, everyone on offence after that was brand new with only a week of practice under us. I was very happy with their performance.”
They might have been overshadowed by Hendricks’ four touchdowns; the HCC Hawks defensive unit was a force of their own. Once again, they stymied the opposition, only surrendering two touchdowns and no extra point conversions. In two games, they have only allowed five touchdowns and the coaching staff was thrilled with that number.
The Hawks will embark on their first road game when they travel to Hanna to take on the J.C. Charyk Hawks on Sept. 23. The JCC Hawks were ranked fourth in preseason polls.
The HCC Hawks next home game is slated for Friday, Oct. 21, against the Our Lady of Mount Pleasant Royals of Camrose.