Sykes throws 5 TDs as Haysi whips Hurley
Hurley (8) vs. Haysi (49)
Written: Oct 25, 2014
By LLOYD COMBS
for the Daily Telegraph
BIRCHLEAF, Va. — A year ago at this time Haysi never missed a beat on its way to a perfect regular season and the state semifinals.
After a rash of injuries and its first regular season loss in two years this year's Tigers seem have found that rhythm once again.
Jalen Sykes threw five touchdown passes and Haysi rolled to a 49-8 win over Hurley in Black Diamond District action Friday night at Sandlick Elementary School.
All the scoring came in the first half as the Tigers (7-1) won their fifth game in a row since a game three loss at Tug Valley (W.Va.).
Haysi has scored 44 or more points in each of its last five games.
"It's a different team this year. We're doing a few things differently, but I thought we were in good rhythm tonight and looked like we were in late season form," said Haysi coach James Colley.
Sykes threw three TD passes to Hunter Sutherland and one each to Guage Hill and Tyler Mullins.
Ryan Turner opened the scoring with a 53-yard run and finished with 146 rushing yards on 11 carries. Tristan Yates added a 74-yard touchdown run and gained 137 yards on just nine attempts.
"I think our line came off the ball well and gave our quarterback plenty of time to throw the ball," Colley added. "We had some really good runs tonight. Tristan and Ryan really ran the ball hard.
"Both of them had really good vision, plus with the line blocking like that, the receivers catching the football, Jalen putting it on the money. We came out and played hard and played well both offensively
and defensively."
Sutherland and Hill each made a spectacular catch for a score. Hill went first, making a full-extension diving grab on a 32-yard throw by Sykes to the end zone.
"That was awesome, I just told him I was going to throw it up and let him get it. That was all him," Sykes said.
Hill had six catches for 55 yards, while Sutherland finished with four receptions for 108 yards.
A first-year varsity football player Sutherland, is known more for his exploits on the basketball court. The junior has assumed a more vital role as a receiver since starter Tanner Artrip went down recently with a broken leg and he had his best game to date.
"I knew I had to step up, because Tanner is a great receiver and I knew I had to block because Tanner is a really good blocker, too," said Sutherland, who made a leaping grab in traffic on a 9-yard throw for his first TD.
"I felt like I could get open. Jalen has had to adjust his timing with me after Tanner got hurt and every time I got open tonight Jalen knew exactly where I needed to be."
Sutherland was wide open on a 65-yard TD toss and a 24-yarder in the second quarter. Sykes teamed up with Mullins on a 35-yard scoring strike in Haysi's 28-point second quarter.
Hurley (5-3) got its only touchdown on a 71-yard kickoff return by Tray Oliver in the second period.
'We just didn't show up," Hurley coach Greg Tester said. "Offensively, defensively they just outplayed us, they executed and we didn't. They out-coached us and beat us in every phase of the game."
A muffed a punt and an interception set up two of Haysi's touchdowns. Hurley had just 24 rushing yards before halftime and finished with 129 yards of total offense.
Robbie Yates had six tackles to lead the Haysi defense. Tristan Yates had two of his four tackles for loss.
"I just stayed behind our big guys so they wouldn't see me coming, my big guys can't get down that low," Tristan Yates said. "We came out more focused, ready to play after a good week of practice. We wanted to come out early and show everybody we were the better team."
Each team has two games remaining as they vie for playoff position in Region 1A West.
Haysi, in its final year before closing due to consolidation next year entered play in the number two spot and has Harlan (Ky.) Independent at home next week and finishes up at Honaker. That contest with be the last-ever regular season encounter between the two rivals that own the last 21 BDD titles.
Hurley has a game left at Phelps (Ky.) and finishes at home against Buchanan County rival Twin Valley.
At Sandlick Elementary School
Hurley.................0 8 0 0 — 8
Haysi................21 28 0 0 — 49
Hay-Turner 53 run (Ratliff kick)
Hay-Hill 32 pass from Sykes (Ratliff kick)
Hay-Sutherland 9 pass from Sykes (Ratliff kick)
Hay-T. Yates 74 run (Ratliff kick)
Hay-Sutherland 65 pass from Sykes (Ratliff kick)
Hur-Oliver 71 kick ret. (Justice run)
Hay-Mullins 35 pass from Sykes (Ratliff kick)
Hay-Sutherland 24 pass from Sykes (Ratliff kick)
———
TEAM STATISTICS
First Downs: Hurley 7, Haysi ;19 Rushes-Yards: Hurley 28-72, Haysi 28-297; Passing Yards: Hurley 57, Haysi 202; Comp-Att-Int: Hurley 4-16-1, Haysi 13-22-0; Fumbles-Lost: Hurley 3-1, Haysi 1-1; Penalties: Hurley 6-50, Haysi 7-75; Punts-Average: Hurley 4-29.5, Haysi 3-32.3.
|