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Hawks open firing on all cylinders

By ADAM ADKINS

aadkins@tampatrib.com

Published: September 5, 2009

Which football team has been the most surprising this year?

LITHIA - It may have been the first game of the season, but Armwood's offense looked in midseason form Friday night against Newsome.

The Hawks unit was perfect in the first half, scoring touchdowns on all six possessions, and Armwood rolled to a 48-6 win over the Wolves.

Just about every offensive weapon the Hawks have got involved.

Quarterback Josh Grady threw two touchdowns to receiver Richard Jules and ran for another score, and Armwood's rushing attack was very well balanced, with Matt Jones (11 carries, 77 yards), Rayshied Melvin and Sherman Jessie each reaching the end zone at least once.

"We've got a lot of mouths to feed, and we feel good about feeding them all, too," Hawks coach Sean Callahan said. "It's a good problem to have."

Armwood showed it was capable of sustaining good drives to get scores.

The Hawks' first three drives covered seven, six and nine plays. But, the unit also showed its quick-strike ability, as three other scoring drives were on the first play from scrimmage, including both of Jessie's touchdown runs.

"I think we have the tools to become one of the best offenses to come through (Armwood)," said Grady, who accounted for 178 total yards of offense.

Meanwhile, Newsome's offense struggled from the outset.

The Wolves didn't manage their initial first down until 5:15 left in the second quarter and didn't cross midfield until the second half.

Newsome was able to put together one scoring drive on its first possession of the second half after taking advantage of an Armwood defensive penalty that negated a turnover.

Fullback Conner Powers, the lone bright spot for the Wolves, plunged in from 1-yard out with nine seconds left in the third quarter. Powers finished with 83 yards on 18 carries.