Hermitage holds off PH, Patriots finish 5-5

A Hermitage kickoff return from Tristen Wright with :22 left in the first half stole the momentum away from the Patrick Henry Patriots Friday night in their Colonial District finale, giving the Panthers a 21-7 halftime lead on their way to a 41-28 victory.

The Panthers took the ball to start the second half and promptly marched 65 yards for another touchdown, and, with 2:43 to go in the third, Hermitage was firmly in command, 41-7. Playing against many second-stringers, the Patriots staged a comeback that climaxed with Brian Houchens intercepting a Dylan Jackson pass and returning it 85 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 41-28.

Brendon Riddick then returned to the field to lead the Panthers on a drive which ate up the remaining 4:02 of the clock, taking a knee inside the Patriot red zone to end the game.

Patrick Henry finishes 5-5 overall, but 4-3 in Colonial District, good for third place behind Hermitage and Deep Run. Both records are improvements over the disappointing 2009 season, where the Pats went 3-4 in the Colonial, 3-7 overall.

Certainly the highlight of the 2010 season will always be Coach Sam Hart's first victory at the helm, when the Patriots came back from a 24-0 deficit to win the Tomato Bowl at Lee-Davis, 25-24. Who knew as Jay Waller gleefully ran off the Mechanicsville field with the Tomato Bowl trophy that the loss would eventually cost PH's archrivals, the Confederates, a shot at the playoffs.

Now on to basketball and other winter sports at Patrick Henry! Good luck all teams and Go Patriots!

Week One: Hanover 49, Patrick Henry 21

The defending Division 5 Regional Champions are back for more.

Deane Cheatham rushed for over 100 yards in the first half alone, and the Hanover Hawks took advantage of an inexperienced, overmatched Patrick Henry defense to cruise to an opening night 49-21 win over the Patriots, ruining the head coaching debut of Sam Hart.

Hanover scored touchdowns on their first five possessions, all coming on the ground. The lone PH score of the first half was also on the ground, thanks to a 45-yard TD run by fullback Josh Thomas, cutting the deficit at the time to 14-7. It was 35-7 by halftime.

Jay Waller opened his second season at quarterback with no interceptions, a touchdown pass in the second half, but also overthrew several open receivers. Hanover QB Sam Rogers, starting his second season and only a sophomore, didn't need to rely on the passing game, completing 3 of 6 passes for 52 yards.

There are many people who believe Hanover, winners of two of the past three Division 5 Regional Titles, may finally win the Capital District title, something they've never done, thanks to Varina and Highland Springs. After seeing them tonight, I share in that sentiment. If the offensive line and linebacking play of Hanover continues to improve on their impressive opening night performances, the Hawks will be a tough match for anyone in the Central Region.

Hanover now leads the overall series with Patrick Henry 5-4, winning their last five straight against the Patriots. PH has not won on opening night since a win over Hanover in 2006.

Patrick Henry must now regroup, especially on both the offensive and defensive lines, and get ready for a rough road test against another county team with Division 5 playoff hopes, the Atlee Raiders.

Listen for all the action next Friday, 9/17, at 6:30pm, on WHAN, 1430!