INDIANS REV IT UP: ST. STEPHENS IMPROVES TO 2-0 WITH EMOTIONAL VICTORY
WRITTEN BY GERRIT VAN GENDEREN FOR THE HICKORY DAILY RECORD ON AUG. 29, 2015
HICKORY — With their current and fallen teammates in their thoughts and prayers, St. Stephens High’s Indians hit the ground running against Bunker Hill on Friday, rushing for 291 yards in a convincing 42-16 win at Indians Stadium.
St. Stephens senior quarterback Spencer Brown was a force to be reckoned with when the ball was in his hands, finishing with 21 carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns as well as completing 5 of 8 passes for 114 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
St. Stephens head coach Wayne Hicks said the game started and ended at the line of scrimmage, where the Indians were dominant the entire night. Running lanes that were open for Brown and company thanks to the offensive line were closed for Bears runners because of the stifling Indians defensive line.
“I’ve been with three of my five offensive linemen for three years now and it’s just a very tight-knit line,” Brown said. “I go up to the line and know exactly where they’ll be — I trust them to the fullest.”
Although Bunker Hill scored quickly on a 6-yard run from senior running back Dijoun Huitt (12 carries, 58 yards, one TD), the Indians never looked back.
Prior to the game, St. Stephens held a memorial ceremony on the field for former Indians player David Saine, who was killed in a car crash on June 8. The St. Stephens senior class walked out on the field and brought Saine’s No. 79 jersey with them for the coin toss at midfield.
Senior lineman Wayna Rankins ’ mother died earlier in the week as well, making it all the more important for the Indians to come out with a Week 2 win.
Hicks said for Rankins to even be on the field playing showed the mental strength he carries with him at all times.
“We came out here with one goal — to win it for David and Wanya, who lost his mother earlier this week,” Brown said. “ Wanya was David’s best friend so this was an important win for them.”
Brown wasn’t the only Indians player to find success rushing. Senior running back Devan Robinson had 78 yards on 16 carries and scored in the first and fourth quarters on runs of 4 and 8 yards. Senior running back Amos Bruen -Brown added seven carries for 50 yards and a 21-yard TD.
Bunker Hill head coach Travis Conner said the biggest concern for the Bears was losing their composure throughout the game. The defeat at the line of scrimmage left the Bears exposed to the quick and consistent rushing attack by the Indians.
“We came back and had the momentum after kicking a field goal to end the first half, but (St. Stephens) just lined up and physically hit us in the mouth in response,” Conner said.
Bears sophomore Bernie Briley rushed for 134 yards on 22 carries to lead Bunker Hill offensively. But as the game progressed, running lanes were diminshed and forced him to throw. He completed four of seven passes for 27 yards, while senior running back Dijoun Huitt had 58 rushing yards on 12 carries for the Bears.
