Published: October 10, 2008 12:10 pm            

Tigers slip past Highlanders

PRINCETON — The Princeton Tigers (3-2) won their homecoming game and snapped a two-game losing streak by narrowly beating the Huntington Highlanders (0-6) 28-27 at Hunnicutt Stadium last Friday. The outcome of the game was in doubt until the final seconds. With time running out, Princeton clung to a 28-21 lead. Huntington had the ball on the Tigers’ 22-yard line with fourth down and goal to go. Huntington quarterback Tyler Hutchinson rolled to his right, and under considerable pressure by Tiger defenders, launched a pass to Joey Christian, who snagged the ball at the goal line and made the score Princeton—28, Huntington —27 with 30 seconds left in the game. Huntington opted to go for a two-point conversion and the win. The pass attempt was batted down in the end zone, and the Tigers escaped with the close win. The game was a story of two halves. Princeton dominated the first half, while Huntington controlled the second. Princeton took the opening kickoff and promptly rammed the ball 65 yards in 12 rushing plays. Tevin Allen, Jerrell Powell, and Justin Lester sparked the drive with their strong running. (For the game, the trio combined for over 200 yards on the ground.) Allen scored on a three-yard plunge with 7:29 remaining in the first quarter. Garrison Shay added the extra point making the score Princeton—7, Huntington—0. Early in the second quarter, the Tigers recovered a Highlander fumble near midfield. Austin Harris guided Princeton to the score, completing three passes on the drive, including a 12-yard toss to Brandon Lafferty for the touchdown. Shay converted the extra point. With 6:30 remaining the half, the Tigers held a 14-0 advantage. Huntington answered that score with a 69-yard drive. The key play was a 48-yard scramble by Hutchinson to the Tigers’ 21-yard line. It took the Highlanders eight more plays to score. Eventually, Hutchinson punched the ball over from the one-yard line. Joe St. Clair kicked the extra point, making the score Princeton—14, Huntington—7 with 2:36 remaining in the half. The Tigers quickly retaliated. Powell grabbed the ensuing kickoff at his 10-yard line and scampered along the sideline for a 90-yard score. Shay converted the extra point. Princeton moved out to a 21-7 lead with 2:20 left in the half. Just before the end of the half, Princeton threatened to score. The Tigers quickly marched from their 34-yard line down the field. The drive was highlighted by a 23-yard Allen run and a 17-yard pass play from Harris to Powell. The drive stalled at the Highlanders’ 17-yard line. A field goal attempt fell short. The Highlanders took the third-quarter kickoff and drove 65 yards in 12 plays to score. Hutchinson again led the charge. His 18-yard keeper on fourth down and two yards to go from his 43-yard line was a pivotal play. Several plays later, Hutchinson tallied the touchdown from the Tigers’ two-yard stripe. St. Clair added the extra point. The scoreboard read Princeton 21 Huntington 14 with 6:18 left in the third quarter. The Tigers were not able to move the ball and were forced to punt. Huntington partially blocked the punt, and Brandon Eubank returned the kick 34 yards for a touchdown. St. Clair added the extra point tying the score at 21. There was 3:30 left in the third quarter. Princeton responded with their longest possession of the game. They marched 67 yards in 13 plays primarily spearheaded by Allen’s determined running. Allen picked up 31 yards tough yards during the drive. Harris capped the march with a nine-yard pass to Lafferty. Shay added the extra point, as Princeton moved ahead 28-21 with 11:15 remaining in the game. On Huntington’s next offensive opportunity, the Highlanders proceeded to move down the field from their 34-yard line to the Princeton six-yard stripe, ignited by their passing attack. Hutchinson dashed into the end zone, but Huntington was penalized for holding, moving the ball back to the Tigers’ 17-yard line. A subsequent field goal attempt was unsuccessful. Princeton took over at its own 20-yard line. Allen slashed for a seven-yard gain, but was injured on the play. He was helped off the field. Lester pounded for seven more yards and a first down. Then, the Tigers’ drive fizzled, and they were forced to punt. Huntington started its next possession at its 41-yard line. The Highlanders’ steadily marched down the field mainly on the strength of passes from Hutchinson to C. J. Crawford. Huntington advanced to the Tigers’ 10-yard marker, but the Highlanders were guilty of holding. The ball was moved back 10 yards. Hutchinson was hit for a two-yard loss at the 22-yard line. Two passes failed to gain yardage. At this point, Hutchinson tossed the touchdown pass to Christian. After the unsuccessful two-point attempt, the Tigers held on for the 28-27 victory. Tonight Princeton travels to Charleston to battle a powerful George Washington team with a 5-1 record. The Patriots’ lone setback was by one point to an undefeated South Charleston squad. George Washington has yielded only a total of 39 points in their six games. At Hunnicutt Stadium 10/3/08 Huntington…….0 7 14 6 — 27 Princeton………7 14 0 7 — 28 First Quarter Princeton-Allen 3 run (Shay kick) 7:29 Second Quarter Princeton-Lafferty 12 pass from Harris (Shay kick) 6:30 Huntington-Hutchinson 1 run (St. Clair kick) 2:36 Princeton-Powell 90 kick off return (Shay kick) 2:20 Third Quarter Huntington-Hutchinson 2 run (St. Clair kick) 6:18 Huntington-Eubank 34 blocked punt return (St. Clair) 3:30 Fourth Quarter Princeton-Lafferty 9 pass from Lafferty (Shay kick) 11:15 Huntington-Christianson 22 pass from Hutchinson (pass failed) 0:30

        

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