What We Saw: Lewisville 31, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler 6

Thomas Grant November 29, 2024 @ 11:03 PM

NEESES | At 5-foot 8 and 160 pounds, Lewisville athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1165159' first='Jordan' last='Strong'] is an impactful player.   Whether it's reaching the endzone as an “explosive” running back or knocking ball carriers off their feet as a hard-hitting safety, the junior left a strong impression Friday night at Hunter-Kinard-Tyler.   Strong rushed for two touchdowns in the 31-6 victory. The victory sent the Lions (12-1) to the Class A Upper State final to face Abbeville.   “It starts upfront with the O-line,” Strong said. “They're blocking hard and I'm making the reads off them and scoring.”   With offensive linemen Ethan Shipman, [player_tooltip player_id='1639696' first='Malik' last='Harrison'], Ty Crane (pictured), Aiden Alexander, and Javarron Thompson imposing their physicality on the equally formidable Trojan defensive front, Strong and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1249747' first='Zach' last='Rogers'] broke open the game which was 3-0 at halftime following a 27-yard field goal by Jackson Stone.   Rogers rushed for one of Lewisville's four touchdowns all scored in the second half.   “Anytime we hand them the ball…we put the game on their back tonight,” Lewisville interim head coach Trent Usher said. “The offensive line did a great job.”   The Lions' defense was equally fierce against Hunter-Kinard-Tyler. Nearly every time the Trojans appeared to have an open lane for yardage, it was quickly shut down by Lewisville's quick pursuit.   Freshman defensive lineman Jay'sean Culp and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1639690' first='Eden' last='Gaston'] were among the first players at the point of tackle. The 6-foot 1, 185-pound Culp led the team in sacks and Gaston recovered a lateral pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown with 27.9 seconds left in the game.   Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1158047' first='Elisha' last='Baker'] and Tymon Hughes were also in on the action which resulted in three forced turnovers by Lewisville. This included a fumble recovery and an interception by defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1548259' first='Ri'Quarius' last='Harris'].     “We talked all week, we knew what kind of speed, what kind of athletes they had over there,” Usher said. “We talked and preached all week, just do your job. We slanted to the field most of the night and took that away. They were able to pop some, but we settled down and made some plays and made some stops.”   Usher had high praise for Hunter-Kinard-Tyler sophomore running back [player_tooltip player_id='1664511' first='Trenton' last='Summers']. He had the Trojans' lone touchdown on an eight-yard run in the third quarter.   On Lewisville's next series, Strong lost the football on a carry and it was recovered by Josiah Jenkins. It was the Hunter-Kinard-Tyler defensive back's second turnover of the game as he intercepted Rogers at the two-yard line on the game's first drive.   Hunter-Kinard-Tyler (10-2) was unable to capitalize on its opportunities. Any momentum to seize was shut down by the aggressive Lions who now seek their first state title appearance since 1999.

NEESES | At 5-foot 8 and 160 pounds, Lewisville athlete Jordan Strong Jordan Strong 5'8" | 150 lbs | ATH Lewisville | 2026 State SC is an impactful player.