Hoggard’s football team is now firmly in the driver’s seat to repeat as the Mideastern 3A/4A Conference champion.

The Vikings held off Ashley to win 35-27. Ashley entered the matchup with a 5-1 record just like Hoggard. With the win, Hoggard continued its perfect all-time streak against the Screaming Eagles. Per Tim Hower of CoastalPreps.com, Hoggard is now 25-0 all-time against Ashley.

This was, however, Ashley’s best ever effort against Hoggard. The eight-point loss is a new record for the Screaming Eagles. Their previous best loss against Hoggard was by 10 points in 2022. The game also ended a 10-game streak of Hoggard winning conference games by more than 20 points.

Ashley’s best chance came in the second quarter. Superstar Quinn Bentley rushed for a 24-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7 apiece. Ashley’s defense forced Hoggard into a three-and-out. Thee Eagles got the ball back with the hopes of taking control of the scoreboard, but the first down snap went awry and it resulted in a debilitating 18-yard loss to halt the momentum.

While Hoggard didn’t utilize much of a running game between the tackles, the Vikings has loads of success getting the ball to its receivers on pop passes that went for sweeps to the outside as well as on reverse hand-offs.

5-foot-8 senior receiver Blake Edwards reached the end zone on a 26-yard rush off a reverse in the first half and a 60-yard touch pass sweep from sophomore quarterback Matthew Boring in the second half.

Boring’s poise is unique for a sophomore. When Hoggard led by one score in the fourth quarter, Boring stepped up with a 4-yard touchdown rush off of a play action rollout to put the game out of reach with five minutes to go.

The sophomore opened the game up with a 70-yard touchdown pass up the left sideline to star senior receiver Nas Session. In total, Boring was credited with three touchdowns.

Hoggard (6-1 overall, 4-0 Mideastern 3A.4A) is set to host Topsail next week. Ashley (5-2 overall, 2-2 Mideastern 3A/4A) will try to rebound at South Brunswick on Oct. 18.

Scoring

First Quarter

• 1:23 – Matthew Boring 70-yard touchdown pass to Aniziyon Session. Vikings 7, Eagles 0

Second Quarter

• 10:01 – Quinn Bentley 24-yard touchdown rush. Vikings 7, Eagles 7
• 5:42 – Blake Edwards 26-yard touchdown rush. Vikings 14, Eagles 7

Third Quarter

• 11:43 – Matthew Boring 60-yard touchdown pass to Blake Edwards. Vikings 21, Eagles 7
• 11:28 – Jaelan Brewington 80-yard kickoff return touchdown. PAT missed. Vikings 21, Eagles 13
• 8:31 – David Hunter 3-yard touchdown rush. Vikings 28, Eagles 13
• 2:36 – Jackson Eller 33-yard touchdown pass to Landon Harrelson. Vikings 28, Eagles 20

Fourth Quarter

• 5:18 – Matthew Boring 4-yard touchdown rush. Vikings 35, Eagles 20
• 0:37 – Jackson Eller 26-yard touchdown pass to Caleb Allen. Vikings 35, Eagles 27

Source: highschoolot.com