After their 52-23 comeback win last Friday, top seeded Hoggard will try to come out with a better first half of football as they host Durham Hillside, the fourth seed, tonight at home.
Hoggard was led last week by Shawn Sidbury’s four second-half touchdowns as they exploded to route Fayettevill Pine Forest, despite trailing 20-10 at the intermission.
Hillside defeated Ashley in the first round of the playoffs and disposed of Greenville Rose last week. The Hornets have not lost since September 21 when they fell 14-0 to Southern Durham, who is the number two seed in the playoffs. This will be Hoggard’s toughest test of the season, but it is the playoffs, and that’s how it will be from here on out.
Certainly, Sidbury must have a good game behind the Viking offensive line, and Mark Crecco must be able to hook up with Luke Caldwell to stretch the Hillside defense; nine of Crecco’s fifteen passing touchdowns have been to Caldwell this season. But ultimately, the defense and kicking game have set the offense up this year with good field position, and they could tell the story tonight.
So come on out to the game and support local sports! No better way to cap off Thanksgiving than with what should be an exciting and well played high school football game. If you can’t make it, you can listen to all the action on ESPN Radio 630 AM courtesy DK Media Sports, with the pre-game show beginning at 7:00.