Published: November 06, 2009 11:27 am      

Red-hot Tigers capture 5th win

PRINCETON — The Princeton Tigers (5-4) extended their win streak to five games as they blanked the host Huntington Highlanders (0-9) 19-0 on Oct. 30. The victory marked the second consecutive game that Princeton shut out their opponent.

The Tigers combined a crushing ground attack that generated over 400 yards rushing and an opportunistic defense to record the victory. Tevin Allen sparked the offense with a career-high 241 yards rushing on 28 carries. He scored the only two touchdowns of the game. Princeton held the Highlanders to 200 yards of total offense, yielding the vast majority of the yardage in the second half.

Princeton got off to a quick start, scoring on their first two possessions. They took the opening kickoff and launched a 78-yard drive in nine plays. Allen capped the drive with a 46-yard touchdown scamper. Early in his run, Allen broke four tackles and then used his speed to outrun the defenders to the end zone. The conversion attempt failed.

On their first possession, the Highlanders advanced to the Tiger 42-yard stripe, their deepest penetration of the first half. Faced with fourth down and a yard to go, Huntington was denied a first down by Princeton’s stout front wall.

Princeton proceeded to drive 58 yards in five plays for a touchdown. Jerrell “Quicksilver” Powell picked up15 yards on the drive, while Allen gained the other 43 yards, including the two-yard touchdown run. Travis Tabor’s after touchdown boot was good with 3:50 remaining in the opening quarter.

In the second quarter, Allen zipped 57 yards to the Highlanders’ eight-yard line. After a Tiger penalty, the drive ultimately stalled at the five-yard stripe. Tabor kicked a 23-yard field goal. With 6:08 remaining in the half, the Tigers’ lead was 16-0.

On their next possession, Tiger quarterback Powell sustained an ankle injury and was replaced by John Barnett. Princeton eventually was confronted with a fourth down and four yards to go. Cameron Mallory extended the Tigers’ possession with a fake punt and a 27-yard ramble to their opponents’ 27-yard line. The Tigers advanced to the Highlander nine-yard line. Huntington intercepted a pass to kill the drive.

The second half was characterized by a series of long drives by both teams, as each squad was limited to four possessions in the half. Each Highlander possession ended in a turnover-three pass interceptions and a fumble recovery. Two of the turnovers occurred within Princeton’s 10-yard line and a third was inside the Tigers’ 20-yard line. The Tigers’ defense stepped up to meet these challenges.

On the first offensive play of the second half, Highlander halfback Rashaun Page sprinted 66 yards to the Tiger seven-yard marker. Dalton Christian made a touchdown saving tackle. On second down and goal to go, Barnett intercepted a pass to help Princeton avert a Huntington score.

Princeton proceeded to march 64 yards in 14 plays, but they ultimately turned the ball over on downs.

The Highlanders in 12 plays moved the ball down to the Princeton seven-yard line. Allen recovered a fumble to end that Huntington threat at the 10-yard line.

The Tigers drove from their 10-yard stripe to the Highlanders’ six-yard marker in 16 plays as Allen, Tre Hopkins, Christian, and Mallory alternated carrying the ball. The drive stalled, and Tabor booted a 22-yard field goal.

Near the end of the game, there were multiple turnovers. On the kickoff after the Tigers’ field goal, Huntington got the ball on their 35-yard line, but their possession ended when Christian intercepted a pass.

After four plays, Princeton coughed up the football with the Highlanders taking possession at the Tigers’ 45-yard stripe.

A roughing the passer penalty and a pass completion gave the Highlanders the ball at Princeton’s 14-yard line. On the next play, Mallory intercepted a Huntington pass..

In pursuit of their first winning season since 2006, Princeton will host the Woodrow Wilson Flying Eagles (2-6) on Nov. 6. Offensively, the Flying Eagles have been led by sophomore quarterback J. C. Pennington. He has thrown for 893 yards and eight touchdowns. His top receiving targets are Dominque Hairston (25 receptions, 294 yards, and three touchdowns) and Phil Grant (18 receptions, 232 yards, and two touchdowns).

At Huntington

October 30, 2009

Huntington 0 0 0 0—0

Princeton 13 3 0 3—19

First Quarter

Princeton-—Tevin Allen 46 run (kick failed)

Princeton—Allen 2 run (Travis Tabor kick)

Second Quarter

Princeton—Tabor 23 field goal

Fourth Quarter

Princeton-—Tabor 22 field goal