By AL STOVER
Staff Reporter 

Blackhawks come from behind to defeat North Central

 

Last updated 9/15/2016 at 11:44am



After losing their home opener against 4A Sunnyside, the Cheney Blackhawks football team bounced back to capture a 22-21 win over 3A Greater Spokane League’s North Central at Joe Albi Stadium, Sept. 8.

“It was a great win for us in that we came from behind,” head coach Bobby Byrd said. “Not everything went perfect, but we found a way to get the job done. And to play at Joe Albi was great too. It’s a great high school football atmosphere.”

Trailing 21-16 with seven minutes to play, the Blackhawks recovered a fumble on North Central’s 18-yard line. Cheney took the lead on Cole Hinrichs’ 18-yard scoring pass to Logan Kendall. Byrd commended Kendall for making “essentially a one-handed catch.”

“That was the kind of play we needed from him (Kendall) and that’s the play we got,” Byrd added.

The Blackhawks took an early lead in the first quarter on Charles Johnson’s 53-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a successful PAT. Johnson led the game with 18 carries for 144 yards. As a team, Cheney had 38 carries for 179 yards.

North Central tied the score on quarterback’s Matt Mickey’s 2-yard pass to Khanian Charlton, followed by a successful PAT.

Kicker Alfredo Camarena made a 28-yard field goal to put the Blackhawks up 10-7 at the end of the first half.

Kiernan McHenry’s 3-yard rushing touchdown would put the Indians ahead, 14-10 heading into the fourth quarter. McHenry increased North Central’s lead after a 5-yard rushing TD.

Cheney regained their momentum after Hinrichs’ scoring pass to Luke Martin for 35-yards. Hinrichs was 11 of 18 with 146 yards. Martin had five receptions for 72 yards.

Byrd noted the progression Hinrichs and the offensive line have made in the last week.

“Martin is a sophomore who is stepping up and our tight ends are doing well, as is our defense,” Byrd said. “I’ve said it before that our defense is our strength and with the way we’ve improved across the board, I’m excited for this upcoming week.”

The Blackhawks (1-1) return to Tom Oswald Field, Sept. 16, to face 5A Inland Empire League’s Post Falls. The Trojans (2-1) come into the game after a 49-7 win over University.

Byrd noted that Post Falls has a high-powered offense and a “very athletic team.”

“For us, it’s about keeping it one play at a time,” Byrd said. “Post Falls is a good test for us. Week to week the kids are getting better and I’m proud of them as a group. I’m also proud of my coaches for helping put the kids in a position to be successful.”

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.

 

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