The victory kept third-ranked Hillgrove (7-0, 4-0 Region 4AAAAA) undefeated, while the Warriors (3-4, 2-2) lost their second straight and dropped to .500 in region play.
“Hillgrove’s a great football team, and they get after it on defense and send a lot of blitzes,” North Cobb coach Shane Queen said. “They had us in third-and-long situations when they knew we’d have to throw the football and got after our young quarterback.
“They were more physical than we were, and we had a hard time getting first downs. We played against a top-10 defense, and it showed (Friday).”
Jacarri Grisby led the defensive effort with four sacks and a fumble recovery on North Cobb’s second play of the second half. One play later, Hillgrove quarterback Elijah Ironside, who completed 15 of 24 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown, ran for a 22-yard score that pushed the Hawks’ lead to 24-6 with 10:53 left in the third quarter.
Hillgrove’s defense and special-teams play forced North Cobb to punt the ball 11 times, and the Hawks converted two turnovers — including Grisby’s recovery — into 10 points. A Warriors fumble on a punt return early in the second period, which was recovered by the Hawks’ Tolando Cleveland, led to a 33-yard field goal from Austin Trevors and a 10-0 advantage with 10:33 remaining until halftime.
Hillgrove scored the first touchdown of the contest off a 1-yard run from Drake with 3:32 left in the first quarter. North Cobb was forced to punt on its first four possessions, but it scored on the fifth — a 48-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Queen to Quinten James — to trim the deficit to 10-6 after Nakevion Leslie blocked the point-after attempt.
From that point on, it was all Hillgrove, which outscored North Cobb 21-0 the rest of the way.
The Hawks scored their second touchdown of the first half on their final drive of the second quarter. Drake ran for 40 yards out of the Wildcat formation on the first play from scrimmage to set up first-and-10 at the Warriors’ 21-yard line. Two plays later, Ironside found JoJo Marshall for a 21-yard score as the Hawks took a 17-6 halftime lead.
Drake capped the evening on Hillgrove’s second possession of the third quarter with a 52-yard touchdown run up the middle , giving the Hawks a 31-6 advantage with 5:22 remaining in the period.
Marshall had nine receptions for 78 yards and a score.
“I think it was hard for us, emotionally, to get going in the first half,” Hillgrove coach Phil Ironside said of his team’s slow start. “I told the guys, we have to create our own excitement. We can’t just wait for the big plays to happen.”
Tyler Queen completed 15 of 27 passes for 162 yards, a touchdown and an interception. James rushed eight times for 33 yards and had one reception for 48 yards and a score, while Xavier Borishade caught eight passes for 72 yards.
North Cobb converted eight first downs in the game, compared to 16 for Hillgrove.
“They’re a great football team,” Shane Queen said. “You can’t make mistakes against them and expect to win ballgames. We had too many mistakes (Friday).”
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First if our Coach doesn't want to comment he doesn't have to period. To all you Hillgrove Fans, if you have to wait to hear from our Coach or any Coach after your victory to somehow boost your egos, then you truly doubt your teams abilities. Noone should have to affirm that your team won or played a good game, it is very evident on the scoreboard afterwards. All of you chasing these posts every time we lose a game to ask why he didn't comment is pathetic and frankly it makes me laugh. WOW, need to feed your egos much?
Second, I don't have a clue as to what happened and why Ty Griffin came to McEachern, all I can say is that I looked at his combine stats and it was impressive and I am one fan that is looking forward to seeing him play. Additionally, to those who say he should have never quit and stayed on, I say to you only a fool would stay in an abusive relationship and who's to say that quitting wasn't warranted? To those who question why his parents moved him or making disparaging remarks about his parents, get over it it is absolutely 100% none of your business why he moved him. Last time I checked Herb Griffin was Ty's Father and has the legal right and authority to change schools a million times if he wants to. Soooooo let it go people, you will sleep better at night. Last but not least, thanks to Herb for moving both his children, I heard some great things about Ty's Freshmen brother, definitely a welcome addition to the class of 2015.
You must be on the staff using aliases and trying to cover your butt by pawning this off on one kid or one family...this is not about this season and whatever is going on, this is about this staff's body of work since Queen has been head coach. The Griffin family and their kids will be just fine. The question is when will the NC program be fine...this staff has done nothing with the talent that has come through there.
We must be watching 2 different teams, "Full of talent"? There are DB's that havent made a play in 2 years, the LB's are 5'2", they have 2 good DL and both are juniors, the OL has 3 starting lineman that dont break 200lbs on the scale or the bench press, WR's that drop more than they catch, RB's that are "hurt" EVERYDAY so they dont practice, and true freshman at QB that has no business being out there. You made a very good point though, "D1 players", these so called D1 players miss practice on a regular basis for hurt toes and head aches. They are in for a rude awakening when and IF they ever do make it to a D1 school and I'd love to see the parents face when they "request a parent meeting" with the head coach of one of these D1 schools because their son isnt getting playing time or playing the position he has "dreams of playing", my guess, they'll quit!
And "kuddos," it's always easier to comment on the opposition when they just opened a can on you...much tougher when you lose a close, hard-fought game. Not commenting might be the wiser move.
you guys have alot of talent on the team and i know you will do well. good luck warriors !!!"
Hard work, perserverence, drive, and determination continues!
McEachern has some of the best coaches in the southeast. If he has nothing to say, that is is right. At least he cares if our kids are 'good people. Something your coach cares nothing about.