Hardin handles Anahuac 33-13

HARDIN – The Hardin Hornets put it all together on Friday night at Hornet Stadium in a district contest against Anahuac with a swarming defense and a ball-controlling offense that was enough to send the Panthers home with the loss 33-13. 

The win was the first over Anahuac in seven years.  

Hardin is now 6-2 on the season and 2-2 in district play and will have another massive contest on Friday night as they travel to Coldspring.  

"These kids worked hard and played well tonight," said Hornets Head Coach Chad Taylor. "This was a big win for us against Anahuac."  

The Hardin defense forced a three-and-out on Anahuac's opening series and then the Hornets offense went to work.  

Hunter Whitehead hooked up with Trevor Jones on a 30-yard pass play down to the Panthers 40-yard line. Two plays later, Jones, in the wildcat, took the snap and went around the left side for a 35-yard touchdown run and a 7-0 lead with 6:27 left in the first quarter.  

Anahuac then responded with a Brady Barrier to Logan Trotter 23-yard score to make it a 7-7 game with 5:34 remaining in the quarter.  

Less than two minutes later, it was Javeon Watley scoring on a 31-yard run and the Hornets led 13-7.  

Hardin built on their lead early in the second quarter as Watley scored from 7 yards out to make it 19-7. The drive's big play was a Whitehead to Landon Leyton 65-yard pass down to the Panthers 8-yard line.  

Anahuac (6-3, 3-2) pulled within 19-13 at the 4:03 mark of the second quarter, with Thomas Delao scoring on a 7-yard run. The big play of the drive was a Barrier to Trotter 42-yard pass play.  

Just before the end of the first half, the Hornets made it a two-touchdown lead again. 

Whitehead connected with Leyton on a 32-yard touchdown with :23 seconds left in the half. Watley hit Jones on the two-point conversion and a 27-13 lead at the break.  

A Parker Buffington interception set up the only score of the second half. 

Jones followed with a 20-yard touchdown run with 2:41 left in the third quarter to make the score 33-13.  

The Hornets will travel to Coldspring Friday night, and a win will secure Hardin a playoff spot. The kickoff is set for an earlier start time than usual and will get underway at 7 p.m. The Vindicator will broadcast live from the game. Check out all of our pregame, halftime and post-game coverage.