Garbutt’s four TDs propels Hawks to first win
The Hawks’ turmoil finally ended Friday night as running back Angelo Garbutt led the team to a 37-27 win over Flower Mound.
Garbutt had 200 yards rushing on the night, bringing back a spark to the offense that had been missing the last few games. The offense struggled in the first half against a poor Flower Mound defense, but Garbutt’s three second-half touchdowns put the game out of reach for the Jaguars.
The defense, although giving up over 300 passing yards, made big plays when it mattered. Middle linebacker Jameson Cooper’s interception in the third quarter was a huge momentum shift in the game, as it stopped a promising Jaguar drive. Garbutt scored on the ensuing Hawk drive to extend the lead to 31-21; the two possession lead ended the back-and-forth nature of the game for good.
Another plus for the Hawks was their discipline. For the first time this season, they went the entire game without committing a penalty. It surprising to see the offense string drives together that lacked negative plays. The defense refrained from holding the shifty Jaguar receivers, a sign of improvement in the thin secondary.
The kickers made a huge difference in this game. Kyler Terry made a 45-yard field goal in the second quarter, his second of the season. Punters Jake Genard and Koyne Harris averaged a combined 40 yards a punt. This was essential to the Hawks win, as the Jaguars were continually pinned deep in their own territory.
The Hawks were ecstatic after their win, as they should be. They have been robbed numerous times this year of games that seemed in hand. But they know that a win over Flower Mound would mean nothing compared to a win over Plano West.
The Wolves come into The Woodshed next Friday. Soso Jamabo has been nearly unstoppable this year, and the Hawks’ defense will be tested. Though the playoffs are nearly impossible to make, a win over West would create chaos atop the district standings. A season that ends with a four game winning streak doesn’t seem so bad after all, so that’s what should motivate the Hawks the rest of the year.
Senior Matthew Rutherford is the sports editor, and this is his third year on staff. He enjoys playing almost any sport and is also very sarcastic, which...