What We Saw: Hammond 56, Christ Church 28

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COLUMBIA |&nbsp;</strong>Obviously, high school football is four quarters and 48 minutes. But Hammond dialed up maybe one of the most dominating 24 minutes and two quarters to carry them to an impressive 56-28 victory over two-time SCHSL Class A champion Christ Church in the season opener Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How good was it? After&nbsp;<strong>Jack Croft</strong>&nbsp;took the opening kickoff back 97 yards for a touchdown, the Skyhawks never trailed. By the time Hammond went into the halftime locker room, the Skyhawks had scored on all six offensive possessions and for good measure added a&nbsp;<strong>Brewer LaMotte</strong>&nbsp;80-yard interception return with 29 seconds remaining in the half to hold a 49-20 advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“That set the tone in a big way,” Croft said. “We wanted the ball and we worked on special teams all week and to come out with that energy and a lead is really big. I thank all my blockers because there was nobody really there. We're here and we wanted it to be known.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Croft (pictured) was the tone-setter, quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1261525' first='Andrew' last='Turner']</strong>, running backs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575317' first='Immanuel' last='Johnson']</strong> and <strong>Kinson Holland</strong> and a revamped offensive line were the hammers. Those three combined to rush for 296 rushing yards and five total touchdowns behind an offensive line that returned just one starter from last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson was the workhorse with 106 yards on 21 carries and touchdown runs of 1, 17 and 4 yards. Holland battled cramps but had five carries for 86 yards and a highlight reel 65-yard TD run. And Turner ran for 101 yards with a 19-yard touchdown. Turner also threw for 150 yards and completed 11-of-15. He connected with Croft on a 26-yard touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It was impressive tonight. We had trust in ourselves that we could run the ball,” Johnson said. “A lot of people doubted us because they saw our O-line was small. They doubted us from the beginning. I put my faith in them. We should never be doubted. We have a bunch of good players here.” &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's not forget the defensive effort. Christ Church featured the formidable trio of quarterback&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013068' first='Tucker' last='Hendrix']</strong>&nbsp;and receivers&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012637' first='Jackson' last='Repp']</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816751' first='Jude' last='Hall']</strong>. Hendrix finished with 337 yards passing and three touchdowns, but nobody will chalk this up as one of his better performances. He was 16-of-34 with two picks and was harassed much of the night by the Skyhawks defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Repp, the all-everything receiver that scored 32 total touchdowns last season, ended with eight catches for 60 yards. Hall added four receptions for 137 yards and touchdowns of 29 and 79 yards. Hayes Lyman added three catches for 99 yards and a 37-yard score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christ Church is going to move the ball and find ways to score but all-in-all, but coach Jon Wheeler was pleased with his defensive effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hammond was without maybe its top cover corner in&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360106' first='Zay' last='Mathis']</strong>&nbsp;but&nbsp;<strong>Adis Jamison</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360365' first='Jaiden' last='Haltiwanger']</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1014892' first='Jordan' last='Boston']</strong>&nbsp;played well. Jamison was tasked with keeping up with Repp and even though he had eight receptions, he was held in check and never broke a big play. Plus, Jamison set the tone with his physical play. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Add in LaMotte and his two interceptions including he back-breaker just before the half and it was all-in-all a decent night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We were trying to limit their big plays but that is easier said than done because they have big-play guys.” Wheeler said. “They hurt us a few times, but our kids never flinched. We just came back and battled and we won some and lost some but we won enough tonight.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OTHER HAMMOND STANDOUTS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Skyhawks have a budding star in sophomore offensive and defensive lineman&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763831' first='John' last='Stokes']</strong>. He is the younger brother of former standout CJ Stokes. The younger Stokes plays with a nasty streak and plays hard from whistle to whistle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hammond lost its starting middle linebackers, but a couple of sophomores were up to the task Friday.&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603691' first='Jackson' last='Ross']</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262172' first='Bubba' last='Alexander']</strong>&nbsp;applied consistent pressure and clogged up the Christ Church running game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OTHER CHRIST CHURCH STANDOUTS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ant Atkins</strong> looks to be a lockdown cornerback. He didn't give up a catch and played well all night long. <strong>Elijah Garrett</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403912' first='Reid' last='Hipp']</strong> are a couple of good-looking prospects at defensive end. Defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1199124' first='Judd' last='Windham'] </strong>looks like he has a chance to be special as well. Freshman running back <strong>Michael Martin</strong> finished with 11 carries for 48 yards and a 5-yard touchdown run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->