Don’t bet the Ponies

Hennessey played the Ponies on Thursday night… and won big yet again.

The Eagles racked up nearly 400 rushing yards, scored over 40 points for the third straight game and tallied their fifth straight victory by downing visiting Kellyville 48-16.

After starting the season 0-2 with a pair of lopsided losses, the Eagles are now 5-2 and remain unbeaten in four District 2A-II-1 games.

After Kellyville pulled within 14-10 with a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter, Hennessey rattled off 34 consecutive points and - to steal a phrase from Toby Rowland - put the ponies in the barn.

Alex Gonzalez got all three of his rushing touchdowns during that decisive stretch.

The first of those came before the end of the half as he busted free for a 54-yard score to give the Eagles a 20-10 advantage.

Gonzalez also had a 26yard touchdown run in the third quarter and then one from 6 yards out in the fourth.

He ended his night with 136 yards and the TDs on just nine carries, an average of 15.1 yards a pop.

Gonzalez was just one of two Eagles to break the century mark and score a trio of rushing touchdowns.

Joining him was quarterback Levi Ferrell.

The junior racked up 140 yards on 21 attempts.

His first two TDs covered 3 and 1 yards, respectively, in the first quarter as Hennessey staked a 14-0 lead.

The Ponies scored 10 straight before Hennessey took control.

Ferrell added a 4-yard touchdown run to get Hennessey started in the third quarter.

The Eagles also got 80 yards on 13 carries from Mario Lopez, who contributed a 1-yard TD in the fourth quarter.

All told, the Eagles rushed for 387 yards on 50 attempts, an average of 7.7 per attempt.

Ferrell also threw for 82 yards on 4 of 10 passing. He was picked off once.

Brytan Gardner was his main target as he caught three passes for 67 yards.

Kellyville tried to counter with the passing game.

The combo of QB Asher Thornbrue and receiver Jayvius Holmes proved potent.

Thornbrue was 15 of 25 for 201 yards. Holmes caught eight of those passes for 130 yards.

That total included a 54-yard touchdown connection in the first quarter to pull the visitors within 14-7.

Hennessey was able to limit Kellyville to 83 yards on 31 rushing attempts.

Beau Vinson and Brayan Soto led the Eagles with seven stops each.

Gardner had six stops and also picked off Thornbrue.

Jameson Ladwig also had six tackles.

Hennessey stays at home this week and hosts Luther on Friday. The Lions are 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the district after beating Alva 28-8 on Thursday.