HCC Hawks soar into win column

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

Three-hour-long bus rides are much more enjoyable following a win.
Especially if it’s your first win of the season.
Playing their final road game of the season, the Hawks, whose football program is wrapping up their second year of existence in the Alberta 6 Man League, thumped the winless Provost Public School Panthers 58-24 Oct. 27 in Provost.
“We finally got the monkey off our back. The boys were able to enjoy themselves on the way home. They deserved this win,” said Hawks Head Coach Michael Annicchiarico.
In their inaugural season, the Hawks finished 3-5. They certainly won more than this year, but when they lost, they lost big. They allowed 261 points against last season.
This year, the Hawks (1-6) have been in every game. Despite their poor record, they have allowed 51 fewer points with one game remaining.
“It’s come down to the wire for us this year a number of times, but we couldn’t win one until now, but I’m happy we pulled it off,” said Annicchiarico.
The Hawks pulled off the big victory with a balanced attack, which featured four different players scoring the first four touchdowns.
Again, without the touchdown machine Jayden Hendricks, the Hawks developed ways to spread the ball around their offence.
Filling in for Hendricks was Ryan Orford, who has played exceptionally well in his first year of football: he notched three touchdowns. Behind him, quarterback Tanner Hollingsworth ran for a pair of scores, fellow newcomer Tuner Dirk hauled in a pair of receiving touchdowns, with Christian Chase running in one touchdown of his own.
It shows the growth of the program that heavily relied on Hendricks’ ability to rack up games with three or more touchdowns. Last year, the Hawks scored 171 points. This year, the Hawks offence has put up 179 points with one game remaining.
That one game remaining is going to be tough, as the Hawks will host the Rimbey High School Spartans Nov. 3 (4 p.m.) in what should be a snowy Holy Cross Collegiate Field.
The Spartans (6-0) are one of three undefeated teams this season.
The Hawks participated in the B side playoffs last year. This year, there will be no return trip to the postseason. The win-loss record might not be great this season, but it doesn’t mean that the relatively new program hadn’t showed signs of growth this season.