Lancers get first win in bold fashion

COLONY — After the weather threatened to end the football game in Colony early Friday night, the Crest High Lancers decided to end it early anyway.
The Lancers (1-1) got their first win of the season in bold fashion Friday night as they beat the Altoona-Midway Jets 60-12, reaching the mercy rule before the first half came to a conclusion.
“We decided to get physical. We made some adjustments throughout the week and our kids (have benefited) from the standpoint of game experience. The kids got physical the way the game needs to be played,” said Crest Head Football Coach Brent Smith.
After the Jets went three and out on their first possession, Crest pounced early. Running back Kyle Hammond took a handoff from quarterback Jordan Morton 40 yards for the first touchdown of the night. Before it was all said and done, Hammond added five more rushing touchdowns, bringing his total yards on the ground to 292 on 16 carries.
“There was good blocking by our linemen. We were running some power and Kyle got the seem and made a great run,” Smith said. “The kids that went out and put the blocks on for him gave him an opportunity to get down the field.”
Four of Hammond’s six rushing scores came in the first quarter, which ended with the Lancers up 30-0.
After a 45 minute lightning delay, the Lancers picked up right where they left off, putting up another 30 points in the second quarter.
Cole Brown had a 50 yard run for a touchdown to start the period, followed by an unsuccessful point after attempt.
Minutes later, Cole Bowen returned a punt for a score, giving the Lancers a 46-12 lead. Along with Bowens’ 117 yards off punt returns, he also had an interception on defensive.
The Jets two second quarter scores – a run by Coltone Brown and a 40-yard pass from Jon Clairbourn to Andy Denoon – weren’t enough to fend of the Lancers.
“We took some steps forward and we saw a lot of positives things tonight,” he said. “We have to continue to grow.”
On defense, Jesse Boone led the way with six tackles. Adding to his six rushing touchdowns, Hammond contributed seven tackles on the defensive side of the ball.
As a team, the Lancers ran for 397 yards on 27 attempts and managed 17 passing yards on two attempts, bring their total yardage to 414.
Next week, the Lancers will host Lawrence Veritas, which is sure to be a challenge, Smith said.
“We’re going to have to step it up and play the game with the physical nature the game needs to be played in,” he said. “They’re a pretty experienced team. They were state champions in their league last year. It’ll be a good challenge and show us where we’re getting to.”