NELSONVILLE, Ohio–The Hocking College football team, under new Head Coach Ted Egger, made its 2021 spring season debut with a 10-0 shutout win over Sussex Community College (New Jersey).
It marked the first Hocking shutout of an NJCAA team in the program's five-year history. The Hawks booted a field goal with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter to take a 3-0 lead and clinched the win with a rushing touchdown with just three minutes left in the game.
Hocking's smothering defense held Sussex to an astonishing six net yards rushing and a total offense of 36 yards. Meanwhile, the Hawks generated 136 yards on the ground and 79 passing for 215 total yards of offense.
The Hawks' staunch defense had many contributors but was led by:
- Tahze Allen: 7 tackles (7 assisted), 1 interception
- Shaun Myers: 6 tackles (3 solo, 3 assisted), 1 tackle-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
- Sabastian Bachler: 6 tackles (3 solo, 3 assisted), 1 tackle-for-loss, .5 Sacks, 1 blocked punt
- Tony Pope: 6 tackles (4 solo, 2 assisted), 2 tackle-for-loss, 1 Sack, 1 pass break up
- Syncere Jones: 2.5 tackles (2.5 assisted), 1 fumble recovery, 1 pass break up, 2 interceptions
Offensively, the Hawks were led by freshman quarterback Kris Bowman, the team's leading rusher and passer. Bowman accounted for 143 yards: 72 passing with four completions on 14 attempts and 71 yards rushing on 23 carries.
Freshman running back Aaron Kennebrew carried the ball nine times for 34 yards and the game's only touchdown.
Sophomore receiver Dae'mon Chery caught the game's longest reception on a 49-yard bomb from Bowman.
Hocking's special teams accounted for the other three points with a 33-yard field goal from freshman placekicker Jeri Valesquez (1-of-2 field goal attempts).
Hocking had seven first downs and was 5-for-15 in third-down conversions. Sussex managed only four first downs and was 1-for-9 on third downs. Sussex was also 0-for-4 on fourth down conversions.
The Hawks will take their 1-0 record to Bristol, Tennessee, on Saturday, April 10, for a neutral site game against Gordon State Community College.
