Burros Dominate Knights in First Round of the Playoffs
By McKinley Young Jr.
Nashville, TN- The start of the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA) Playoffs in Tennessee is here. Five Metro High Schools earned a shot to participate. The number one ranked team in Metro made a statement to other teams in Class 5A. The Hillsboro Burros dominated from start to finish as they beat Kenwood 55-12 at home in the WTNTribune Radio Sports Metro High School Game of the Week. The victory continued the momentum that they have displayed all season. The Burros offense put up 486 total yards and the defense held the Knight to 184 total yards as they scored in all three phases of the game.
The game started with a bang. Burros running back Deandre Alexander took the opening kickoff 90 yards to give the Burros a 6-0 lead. Burros quarterback Michael Hughes had an impressive night. The Tennessee State University commit accounted for four total touchdowns, going 8-8 183 yards with two touchdown passes. Hughes also had three carries for 24 yards and two more touchdowns on the ground.
“Being a starter since my sophomore year has helped me prepare for moments like this one,” said Hughes referring to his play in the game. “We came out and saw some looks that help make my pre snap reads a little easier to get us in the right play”.
Hillsboro QB Michael Hughes was huge in his team’s first round victory
Hughes got the scoring started for the offense on a two yard run that was set up by his 45 yard strike to wide receiver Malique Fleming. Hughes followed that up with a four yard score. He then hit wide receiver Jay King II on a 41 yard touch pass for another score.
Running back Vincent Perry had a great night as well. The University of Tennessee commit accounted for 168 yards of total offense and a rushing touchdown. Perry had a key 34 yard reception in the second quarter. With the Burros facing a 3rd and 33 yards to go, Perry caught a pass, took a huge hit, bounced off of the defender and pushed forward to convert a first down.
“I didn’t want this to be my last game,” said the senior Perry. “I made sure I did everything I could to help us get the win.”
Hillsboro’s Vincent Perry
Hillsboro’s defense kept Kenwood in check all night only giving up a 36 yard touchdown pass from Malcolm Perry to Chris Jackson and a late four yard touchdown run to Josh Lewis. Defensive end Kyle Phillips and fellow senior Jonathan Young lead the defense as they harassed Perry and the Kenwood offense all night.
“We knew we would have to stay in our rush lanes and be aggressive,” said Phillips said who ended his night with seven tackles and three sacks.
Hillsboro’s Kyle Phillips
“I have to be aggressive and help set the tone for our defense and get us in the right calls,” added Young.
Young led the Burros with 10 tackles and two forced fumbles, one of which was on a kickoff that was returned six yards for a touchdown by Roy Hunter.
Hughes, Perry, Phillips and Young were all named WTNTribune Radio Sports Players of the Game. Hillsboro moves on the second round as they will host Springfield High School.
Metro High School Football Playoff Match-ups
There are only three Metro teams left in the TSSAA Playoffs. Last week Overton lost to McGavock and East Nashville lost to Lipscomb Academy.
Class 5A
Springfield at Hillsboro
McGavock at Ravenwood
The McGavock Raiders look to pull off an upset at Ravenwood
Class 4A
Spring Hill at Pearl-Cohn
High School Basketball Underway
High School basketball got off to a fast start this past Tuesday. Look here every week for updates and interviews from players and coaches around Middle Tennessee. Just like football, we will rank both girls’ and boys’ basketball teams each week in what we will call the “Metro Sweet 16”. Also, catch our Basketball Game of the Week each week on www.wtntribuneradio.com
East Nashville’s Erica Haynes-Overton and MLK’s Brianna Smith
East’s Thomas Booker
Pearl-Cohn Head Coach Ray Pratcher giving instructions to Jordan Standifer
Wallace Media Group Watch Former Local Stars Shine at JUCOs
The Wallace Media Group was in the audience for six basketball games last week featuring former Metro players. Last week Monday, the Columbia State Community College (CSCC) Lady Charger players Alexis Lang (Whites Creek) and Porche Hannah (Pearl-Cohn) joined Preseason All Conference player Lamarra Gordon as the “Big Three” in their 80-73 victory over Faulkner (Al.) State Community College. Gordon led her team with 30 points; Lang added 20 and Hannah had 16 points and 12 rebounds. That same night CSCC’s Men’s Head Coach Brian Collins (Whites Creek) led his team to a 102-60 victory over Bethel University. Jamontae Davis (Hillsboro) started and scored four points and grabbed eight rebounds.
On Friday, the Lady Chargers suffered a loss in Gallatin, Tennessee to the Volunteer State Lady Pioneers 80-73. Hannah earned her second double-double of the season scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Lang added nine points. In the nightcap, the CSCC Men defeated Volunteer State 101-78. Former Maplewood star Jason Stone and Whites Creek alum Stevie Nicks played for Volunteer State.
The next day, Columbia State traveled to Lynchburg, Tennessee to face Motlow State. The Lady Chargers survived in a game of runs 77-63. Lang scored 20 points and 11 rebounds. Hannah was hampered by foul trouble but finished with two points and six rebounds. The CSCC Men suffered a tough loss to Terry Holt (East Nashville) and his Motlow State teammates. Holt finished with 14 points. Davis had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds for CSCC.