Eagles grind out 14-6 victory against Newkirk

It wasn’t pretty, but Mark Cox isn’t giving it back.

The Hennessey Eagles won their second straight game Thursday night and started their district slate on a successful note with a 14-6 victory against Newkirk.

Levi Ferrell threw for a touchdown and ran for another as Hennessey improved to 2-2 in a game played at Ponca City High School.

“It was pretty much a grinder,” said Cox, whose team is 1-0 in District 2AII1.

The teams combined for just 385 yards of offense.

Newkirk had the majority with 201 yards, including 180 through the air.

The Tigers struck first when Trenton Morton hauled in a 22-yard toucdown from Garner Wood in the first quarter.

Wood completed just 10 of 22 pass attempts, but they covered 180 yards.

“Our defense played really well most of the game, other than giving up some big plays,” Cox said.

Newkirk didn’t score again and the Eagles’ defense limited the Tigers to 41 rushing yards on 31 attempts.

Hennessey churned out 140 yards on 36 carries.

Mario Lopez got the bulk as he picked up 79 yards on 20 attempts.

Ferrell had 61 yards on 16 attempts, including a 3-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

Luis Macias-Montoya’s extra-point made it 7-6 Eagles at halftime.

Ferrell went to the air in the third quarter as he found Brytan Gardner for an 18yard touchdown.

Ferrell was 6 of 18 for 44 yards.

Gardner caught four of those passes for 24 yards.

Hagen Copeland hauled in two more catches for 20 yards.

“We struggled offensively, especially in the passing game, but had just enough success to win the game,” Cox said. “I was glad to see several of our kids step up and fight down the stretch to secure the win.”

The defense was again led by Jamison Ladwig, who had 10 tackles.

Beau Vinson was in on nine stops.

Ryker Painter added eight, incuding a sack, and Alex Gonzalez picked off a pass.

Hennessey hosts Alva this Friday.