After a competitive loss to Caldwell County in last week’s season opener, Hopkins County Central used a stifling run defense and a three-touchdown night from Sylas Gunn on Friday to dispatch hosts Todd County Central 36-6.
The Storm surged in front on Gunn’s punt return TD late in the first quarter, and added a safety when the Rebels misplayed the ensuing kickoff for an 8-0 lead with three minutes left in the opening frame.
With Hopkins Central threatening again on 1st and 10 from the Todd Central 24, Jayden Carrington picked off a Gunn pass at the 5-yard line to keep the deficit to one score with a quarter played.
Gunn extended the Storm advantage to 15-0 on a keeper around the left side, but the Rebels looked set to build some momentum before halftime when they drove to the Hopkins Central 17-yard line with less than a minute to play. However, after the Storm forced a turnover on downs, Gunn raced 52 yards to make it 22-0 in the final seconds of the half.
Hopkins Central used a four-yard TD run from Dallas Kinlaw to push the lead to 29-0 early in the third quarter, and triggered a running clock on Isac Earl’s strip and score with 5:03 left in the frame.
Zikavion Martin finally got the Rebels in the end zone in the final seconds of the game when he collected a fumbled snap and raced around the left side. Todd Central’s two-point attempt failed for the final margin.
After racking up 315 yards on the ground last week, the Rebels were held to 164 in Friday’s loss. Titus Rager appeared to be on his way to a big night with 45 yards on nine carries before a second-quarter injury forced him to the sideline.
Gunn rushed 10 times for 154 yards and two scores, and added 79 yards through the air. Kinlaw ran for 41 yards and a TD, Isaac McKnight caught two passes for 48 yards, and Jeremiah Groves had a catch for 17 yards.
Martin ran for 33 yards on nine carries for the Rebels, and DeVaughn Lister collected 46 yards on eight attempts.
Hopkins Central finished with 286 total yards to Todd Central’s 164, including 217 on 21 rushing attempts.
The Storm (1-1) will face another run-heavy team next week when Markezz Hightower and the Madisonville-North Hopkins Maroons visit. Hopkins Central will be trying to end a four-game losing streak in the series.
The Rebels will be on the road next week at Butler County before a homecoming matchup with Jo Byrns, TN, on September 12.
