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Hawks Show Little Mercy

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By SCOTT PURKS

Tribune correspondent

Published: October 25, 2008

TAMPA - A few minutes into the fourth quarter, Armwood's Angelo Hadley intercepted a pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown, which led to something that had never - ever - happened in the 16 years Earl Garcia has coached at Hillsborough.

The mercy rule - or the "Sissy Rule," as Garcia called it - kicked in.

Hillsborough trailed 46-7, which about 8 minutes later became the final score.

The clock started running because that's what state rules mandate once a team trails by 35 points or more in the second half - a rule Garcia, "absolutely, positively hates," and more than that Friday night, absolutely hated swallowing.

"I would never ask to have the clock run," he said. "I was forced into it."

Garcia said he knew Armwood (8-0, 2-0 in Class 4A, District 11) was awesome, but believed Hillsborough (5-3, 2-1) should have played the Hawks a little tougher.

"We needed some help from them as in turnovers," Garcia said. "And we didn't need to help them giving up turnovers."

The Terriers started the gift-giving on their first offensive play of the game; a pass intercepted by Hadley and returned 15 yards to the Terriers' 20-yard line. One play later, or just 32 seconds into the game, Eric Gonzalez caught a pass for a touchdown.

By halftime - after Armwood quarterback Mywan Jackson ran and passed almost at will - the score was 34-7.

Hillsborough's only score, in fact, was a 25-yard fumble return for a touchdown, meaning Armwood's defense has still given up only two touchdowns all season.

For a little more perspective, consider that Hillsborough came into Friday averaging more than 35 points a game. Armwood, meanwhile, is averaging more than 40 points a game, an average that probably would be higher if not for the running clock.

"Armwood doesn't have a weakness," Garcia said. "Not one."

Leading the way was Jackson, who on Friday ran for 156 yards and threw for 94. Running back Tavari Grant also rushed seven times for 95 yards and two touchdowns.

When Armwood coach Sean Callahan was asked - after all the beatings his nationally ranked Hawks have administered this season (seven running clock games) - if he thought his team needed a tough game to get sharp, Callahan didn't flinch.

"These guys are great because they like to keep pouring it on," Callahan said. "They like to beat people and they never get tired of winning big."

A- Jones 20 pass from Jackson (kick failed)

A-Grant 4 run (Williams kick)

H-Woodard 30 fumble return (Colborne kick)

A-Grant 70 run (Grant run)

A-Jackson 35 run (Williams kick)

A-Eastman 3 run (kick failed)

A-Hadley 25 int. return (kick failed)

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