PG, Raiders to face off in semifinal
FRISCO, Texas — Pleasant Grove can do something no other team has done against Sunnyvale — give them a loss.
The Hawks (11-1) face the Raiders (12-0) in a Region 2-4A, Division II semifinal playoff football game at 7:30 today at The Star.
“We are going to have to be sure not to give up the big play,” Pleasant Grove head coach Josh Gibson said. “We can’t let one guy beat us over the top. We have to keep things in front of us and make them earn their way down the field. The team is fired up and they are super focused. They want to keep it going.”
Running back Bruce Garrett leads the Hawks in rushing with 1,217 yards on 147 totes (8.3 yards per carry
average) and 14 touchdowns. Logan Johnson is second on the team with 691 yards on 72 carries and seven scores.
Senior quarterback and team leader Ben Harmon has hit on 63 of 116 passes for 1,349 yards with 21 TDs to just two interceptions for Pleasant Grove.
Senior wide receiver Sergio Rodriguez leads the Hawks with 28 grabs for 745 yards and 12 touchdowns. Rodriguez has a team-high four interceptions with 117 return yards and a score.
Placekicker Anthony Mejia has connected on 64 PATs and a pair of field goals for Pleasant Grove.
The Hawks are averaging 43.6 points and 475.7 yards of offense per game. Pleasant Grove gives up an average of 16.8 points and 251.5 yards on defense.
Dylan Hopkins has the most tackles for the Hawks with 92 stops, while Landon Jackson is second with 89. Jackson also has a teamhigh 15 sacks and three fumble recoveries. Nick Martin is third on the team with 87 stops.
The Hawks are coming off a 42-14 victory over Salado in the area round, while Sunnyvale defeated Mexia, 28-17.
The Raiders average 46.0 points per contest and have given up an average of 15.2 points on defense.
“Sunnyvale is ranked No. 2 in a poll and No. 4 in another poll,” Gibson said. “They won the 7 on 7 state championship. We played them in the championship and came up short. That is not real football, that is a passing league. Sunnyvale is good at what they do and are disciplined. They run a spread offense and are balanced.”
Senior quarterback Tripp McAda has thrown for 2,026 yards on 103of-167 passing and 27 touchdowns for the Raiders. Noah McDill has been McAda’s favorite target as he has racked up 899 yards receiving on 45 catches and 14 scores.
Sophomore receiver Max McAda is second on the team with 24 grabs for 596 yards and seven touchdowns.
Junior running back Emmanuel Arinze leads Sunnyvale with 1,046 rushing yards on 97 totes (10.8 yards per carry average) and nine TDs.
Senior Devin Sterling is the top Raider tackler with 114 stops, while teammate Jake Taylor is second with 106.
Sophomore Landry Laird has the most interceptions for Sunnyvale with three nabs for 95 return yards.
The winner will face either Gilmer or Connally in the Region 2-4A, Division II finals.
The game will be live blogged at www.texarkanagazette.com/pleasantgrove. Tune in to KTRG, 94.1 FM for the live radio broadcast.