Sports
UPCOMING EVENTS
03
26 2021
Prep football: Hanover at Patrick Henry 6:00 p.m.
03
26 2021
Prep football: Mechanicsville at Atlee 7:00 p.m.
| Youth, High School, College, Recreational & Professional
Allen’s charge helps PH forestall Raiders strike to Nick Sikkar late in the first half to build a 12-0 halftime lead. Camden Byrd scored on a 5-yard run on the Patriots’ first drive to open the scoring. The Patriots held Atlee to 158 total yards. Eric Rankin carried nine times for 42 yards for the Raiders. Patrick Henry continues to be in a group of four schools – with Monacan, King George and Louisa – that are unbeaten atop Region 4B. Lurking behind them are one-loss teams Eastern View, Powhatan, and the Patriots’ next opponent: Hanover. “We know we need a great week. We know that it’s the one,” Allen explained when asked about their second meeting with the Hawks, who took the Patriots to the limit before falling 22-14 on March 5. Head Coach Ken Wakefield knows Friday’s contest could be an elimination game when it comes to the postseason. “One thing we tell our kids, you’re going to hit adversity,” Wakefield said. “You just don’t know when it’s going to come, and it’s how you respond to it.” Hanover hopes to bring plenty of adversity to Patrick Henry beginning at 6 p.m. Friday. Rob Witham can be reached at sports@mechlocal.com.
By Rob Witham For the Mechanicsville Local ASHLAND – A final score can be quite deceptive. Patrick Henry’s 28-6 win over Atlee Friday night to sweep the Raiders in two meetings and move to 4-0 came in a game very much in doubt early in the fourth quarter. A forced fumble by Atlee (1-3), recovered by Tyler Garr and returned 28 yards for a touchdown with 9:28 remaining cut a precarious Patriot lead to 12-6. Enter Jordan Allen. The junior quarterback, who broke off a 56-yard run on the Patriots’ first play from scrimmage, found a hole up the middle, turned right, and raced 38 yards to the Atlee 35. “I got all those yards and thought, it’s my time. Let’s go get it,” Allen said. On the next play, Allen went left, gaining 18 yards. His next carry traveled 9 yards. On the fourth play of the drive, he patiently waited for two blocks to his left, then bolted for the pylon, breaking the plane of the goal line just ahead of an Atlee defender. For good measure, Allen converted a 2-point conversion that made it 20-6 Patriots with 7:05 remaining. In the blink of an eye he did it again. James Valentine’s recovery of a Raider fumble on the first play of the ensuing possession set up Patrick Henry at the Atlee 9-yard line. Allen, who wears No. 9, looked left, cut up the
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Joel Klein for The Local
No. 8 Patrick Henry 28, Atlee 6 Top performers: Patrick Henry — Jordan Allen 14 carries, 152 yards, middle, and scored his second Patrick Henry’s lead was secure. “Two sophomores, three win or go home at this point – 2 TDs rushing, 7 of 8, 93 yards, TD passing; Nick Sikkar 4 rec., 78 yards, 9-yard touchdown run in 15 Allen is quick to praise his juniors. They’re growing,” Allen that’s great for me.” seconds. He used the superior young offensive line and to noted. “Three of them didn’t Allen had 14 carries for 152 TD receiving Atlee — Mike Joyce 8 31 yard rushing; 5 for 15, 33 blocking of his offensive line point out their journey this sea- play much last year, so to see yards with the two 9-yard scores carries, yards; Tyler Garr fumble return TD
Patrick Henry quarterback Jordan Allen disposes of Atlee defender Luke Jasinski in the Patriots’ 28-6 win over the Raiders Friday.
to convert another 2-point try. son.
The Mechanicsville Local
March 24, 2021
that drive in a big game – it’s and threw a 31-yard touchdown
