Cougars pounce on Hawks in mercy-rule win
By Alastair Lee Bitsoi
Navajo Times
TOHATCHI, N.M.< Oct. 17, 2011
(Times photo - Paul Natonabah)
Tohatchi quarterback Justin Smith (7) looks to throw downfield during homecoming against the Thoreau
Under the Friday night lights at Cougar Stadium and in 40-degree weather, the Cougars pounced on archrival Thoreau mercy-rule style with an improved offense and physical play, posting a 56-6 victory.
The game looked promising for the Thoreau Hawks, as they scored the first touchdown of the game on their first drive down the field.
It took the Hawks about 15 plays before wide receiver Benjamin Lewis scored on a 20-yard pass from quarterback Isaiah King for a brief 6-0 lead.
Immediately after the Hawks scored, Tohatchi head coach Richard Hudson called a timeout expressing his frustration at his team's poor defense with 6:06 left in the first quarter.
In response to their coach's energy, the Cougars clamped down on defense and forced Thoreau into turnovers late in the first quarter and into the second quarter, with three of those turnovers being fumbles.
The fumbles, which were costly to the Hawks, shifted the momentum in favor of the Cougars.
Every time the Cougars defense made defensive plays and tackles, they let out aggressive yells of "Arrrggh!" or "Woohhhs!" and looked at their coach for affirmation.
The Cougars defense was so physical that some of Thoreau's key players sustained injuries including running back Ryan Delgarito, who was crucial to Thoreau's drives early in the game.
The coach's timeout, however, did serve as a rude awakening for the Hawks, as the Cougars reeled off 56 unanswered points for the mercy-rule win.
At halftime, the Cougars led the game at 42-6.
The Cougars won the game, 56-6, with 8:17 left in the fourth quarter, after wide receiver Marcus Burbank caught the ball at the 33-yard line and dashed into the end zone.
Central to the Cougar's defensive efforts was lineman Kyrin Harrison who forced those crucial fumbles"Our coach taught us to protect our brother," Harrison said about how coach Hudson stresses the importance of brotherhood among his teammates.
"That's what we do.
"With Harrison and other linemen including Lucas Chandler, Trevor Claw, Marcus King and Maurice Manuelito maintaining a strong blocking for the Cougars, quarterback Justin Smith and Burbank connected on various passing plays for some easy touchdowns.
"I just read the defense and used my speed and vision," said Burbank, who scored five touchdowns and converted on multiple two-point conversions.
"We've been playing together since the eighth grade," Smith said about his connection with Burbank.
"We just work together.
"Smith also credited his offensive line, saying if was not for his linemen's strong hold at the line Tohatchi probably would not have executed the key plays that opened up the game for the Cougars.
"My line is the main thing - they're the most important," Smith said.
"I understand my receivers.
I work on my passes and that's what got us here.
"Thoreau head coach Roger Willie said his team, comprised mostly of freshmen, is experiencing growing pains this season.
"We're at a point where we are becoming more solid," Willie said, adding that his team is acquiring players who recently became eligible for the rest of the season.
Willie, who is in his fifth year as the head coach, said the injuries his team sustained in the second quarter also affected his team.
"As a coach, you got to make the decision to prevent injuries and make changes," Willie said.
Despite the lopsided the loss, Willie gave Tohatchi credit for coming out to play.
"They got some good speed and did excellent," he said.
With the loss, the Hawks are now 2-4 on the season.
They face the Shiprock Chieftains this Friday in a district contest.
Since implementing a spread offense, Hudson said, his team has improved, winning three of their last five games.
"Right now we're 500 and I think we can win and finish the season with a 6-3 record," Hudson said, adding that his team is mostly sophomores.
"The future for Tohatchi is looking bright right now.
"Before becoming the head coach this year, Hudson was assistant coach under Scott Dean, who guided the Cougars to a 2-7 record during the 2010-11 season.
As for teaching his young Cougars, Hudson said, "I just try to teach them about life.
You gotta keep plugging away.
"The Cougars will certainly keep plugging away in the competitive District 1-2A and face the Crownpoint Eagles (6-1) in a non-district contest.