HOLLY POND – The Holly Pond Broncos hosted the Susan Moore Bulldogs on Thomas Michelfelder Field Friday night for a week four matchup that was big for both teams. In the end, it was the Broncos that came out on top with a 36-20 win over the visiting Bulldogs.
The running game was critical for both offenses and made for an old-school style game of football. Holly Pond entered the locker room at halftime with an 8-6 lead over Susan Moore after a physical first half with strong defensive showings on both sides. At the half, the two teams combined for less than 200 yards of offense, but that all changed when they came out for the second half.
Holly Pond set the tone of the second half early with a long touchdown drive built on big runs from senior running back Rip McBee. McBee finished the game with 119 yards and a touchdown on just six carries, nearly all of which came in the second half.
Holly Pond’s defense stayed firm and the Broncos’ offensive line began to take over the game. Sophomore quarterback Kyler Chaney took advantage of how his line was playing and carried the ball for a game-high 147 yards and three touchdowns.
Junior running back Jeremiah Holmes was the other man in the backfield that found a lot of running room in the second half as he finished with 127 yards and a touchdown of his own including a 74-yard sprint down the sideline that iced the game late for the Broncos. Combined, the Broncos’ backfield ran for more than 300 yards in the second half alone to take over the game.
Head Coach Mike Bates was happy to see his offense perform well, his offensive line in particular.
“I think every time I talk about us rushing the football everybody sees running backs; I see offensive linemen,” Bates said. “Coach Cornelius has these guys really coming off the ball and believing. Our backs were hitting the hole hard, but the offensive line has been key for us and I’m really proud of them.”
Bates is excited about how his team is built and the way they play despite being young at a lot of key positions.
“We’ve got one senior on offense and he didn’t play last year; we’ve got one senior on defense and he didn’t play last year,” he said. “So we’re young but this bunch is not afraid. If you’re still wiggling they’ll try to hit you and that’s what I like about them.”
This win moves the Broncos to 3-1 on the season, including an undefeated record at home. They’ll try to stay on the winning path at home after they enjoy a week off to rest up for Asbury, who will travel to Holly Pond on the 29th.
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