Thomas Heyward didn’t waste any time setting the tone Friday night, controlling the line of scrimmage and showing off its offensive arsenal in a 34-0 win over visiting Hilton Head Prep.
Bruzza Pusha scored two long touchdowns, JR Patterson added two rushing TDs, and Peyton Bennett threw a TD pass and rushed for another for the Rebels, who have won three straight. The defense was just as impressive, limiting the Dolphins to 118 total yards.
THA marched down the field on the first series with Patterson breaking tackles for a 28-yard TD run, and Branden Davis added the two-point conversion. Bennett capped another first-quarter drive with a 2-yard sneak and a quick 14-0 lead.
After having a punt return touchdown called back by a penalty, Pusha found the end zone with a 68-yard burst to end a brief scoring drought for the Rebels and make it 20-0 with 2:32 left in the half. THA got the ball back with 28 seconds left and needed only one play to cash in, as Bennett dropped a dime to Pusha on a deep pass up the Rebels’ sideline, and he went untouched into the end zone. Davis’ second conversion run of the night made it 28-0 at halftime.
Patterson added another touchdown run in the third quarter as the Rebels eased off the gas.
Tommy Stauffer and Christian Epko-Bueso each had 25 rushing yards for the Dolphins, and Stauffer added 33 yards on two receptions. The Rebels were able to do something few teams have done and shut down HHP star Carson King, limiting him to six yards on two carries and two receptions for 16 yards. Will Gray made six tackles, and Loncelle Daley and King each added five for the Dolphins.
THA (3-1) travels to Beaufort Academy at 7:30 p.m. Friday for a matchup of teams riding three-game win streaks. HHP (1-1-1) hosts Bethesda Academy for a non-region game at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
