By Tristan James (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Hillcrest picked up the first win for first-year head coach Keenan Ganz in a 34-14 victory at Parkview on Friday night.
“I think it’s really big for our guys…They come to work every week with a great attitude and it’s really big for them to get rewarded for that,” said head coach Keenan Ganz when asked how it felt to walk away with a win tonight.
“We had a good week of practice this week. Hopefully we can do the same thing next week and prepare for the game,” said quarterback Ethan Weaver on what his plan is for staying focused and motivated for next week.
In the first quarter, Parkview received the opening kickoff. The Vikings wasted no time, marching down the field with ease. The Vikings scored the first touchdown of the game within the first three minutes of the contest. After a failed PAT, Parkview led 6-0 early.
Hillcrest had an answer on the next drive with Weaver finding Jude Cochran for a touchdown with just over five minutes left in the first quarter. The Hornets carried a 7-6 lead after one quarter.
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Both defenses were stout in the second quarter until Hillcrest broke through with 18 seconds left in the half. Weaver found Logan Dhanson for a touchdown and a 14-6 lead at the half.
Hillcrest got the ball out of the half and took full advantage. The Hornets drove down the field with Jordan Tindle scoring a touchdown to advance their lead to 21-6. After a stop, Hillcrest took the ball back and extended the lead via another Tindle touchdown. Hillcrest led 28-6 with under five minutes left in the third quarter.
Tindle got his third touchdown of the game late in the fourth quarter making Hillcrest’s lead 34-8. Parkview got back on the board via a Caimon James to Jamile Johnson touchdown pass to make it 34-14.
Hillcrest will look to ride the momentum from their season-ending win into next week’s district playoffs.
“I think that its huge that we won this game. Now we have a bunch of confidence and we’re ready to play whoever,” said Conchran.
“One game doesn’t define our season. We have another game next week. Enjoy the win tonight but tomorrow we start getting back to work,” Ganz said.
