Gretna rolls over Generals, clinches No. 1 seed

NARUNA — For years, the William Campbell-Gretna game has been a high-stakes affair.

Though that was not the case this year for the Generals, the Hawks still had plenty on the line in their regular-season finale, including a share of the Dogwood District title and a No.1-seed in the Region B, Division 2, playoffs.

Playing on Saturday instead of Friday because of the weather, which wreaked havoc on area football fields, the Hawks, led by senior running back Andre Dickerson’s 169 rushing yards, steamrolled the Generals 69-30.

Improbably, the Generals did strike first, on the opening kickoff. Jelmer Pijpers’ squib kick found its way into the hands of Derrick Garrett who ran 60 yards for the touchdown. However, the Hawks would answer with seven straight touchdowns to take a commanding 55-14 halftime lead.

Gretna’s quick-strike offense was in full gear, accounting for touchdown plays of 64, 60, 38 and 35 yards in the first half. Hawks coach Kevin Saunders was glad to have all of his playmakers healthy.

“We’re finally healthy, which is the main thing for us. I think Nick (Miller) is at 100 percent and that’s evident by the way he’s playing,” Saunders said.

The defense made its presence known as well, constantly hurrying Generals quarterback Brandon Adams, making it hard for him to find his favorite target, wideout Terrence Younger. Like the offense, Saunders’ defensive unit, specifically a standout linebacker corps led by senior inside backer Delante Hubbard, is healthy after being plagued by injury.

“The two inside linebackers, I think, are finally at 100 percent and that’s a big plus for us on defense because we can do a lot with them on defense,” Saunders said.

Dickerson, who rushed for a pair of touchdowns as well as a 70-yard kickoff return touchdown to open the second half, saw the game as a chance to atone for the Hawks’ two losses this season by grabbing a share of the district title.

“It’s for a district title. (We wanted) to come out here and make up for a couple losses … especially Appomattox,” Dickerson said. “We had our minds set to do it. We might have had a tough time regrouping from not having the team we had last year, but we got it done.”

Though they do not yet know who they will face in the opening round, the Hawks could likely see Appomattox in either the first or second round. If they do, it will be on their home field and Saunders believes that his team is ready for a rematch.

“I think we’re playing pretty good right now. Truthfully, if we don’t have four interceptions up at Appomattox it might be a different story there, too, so I think we’re playing pretty good offensively right now,” Saunders said. “We’re a really young football team up front … and they’re starting to get the hang of it and do a good job blocking and our offensive coaches are doing a great job calling plays.”