HUNTINGDON TAKES CONTROL EARLY AND LETS SUBS GAIN EXPERIENCE AGAINST AVE MARIA

NAPLES, Fla. – Huntingdon rolled up more than 200 yards of offense and scored three times in the first quarter to set the tone in Saturday's 42-7 win over Ave Maria.

The Hawks took control quickly and began substituting freely in the win over the first-year NAIA football program.

"The positive thing is we were able to play well and play a lot of people," Huntingdon head coach Mike Turk said. "There are some things we still need to work on, but we did well on both sides of the ball. Being able to play everyone is a blessing you don't get very often."

Sophomore H-back Tyler Hall said the Hawks' execution was solid, from the starters and the backups.

"I'm glad we came out and ran the offense like we were supposed to," Hall said. "We executed very well on our first couple of series and we were able to get up 21-0. That allowed us to get some playing time for a lot of guys."

Hall put the Hawks on the board first with a 25-yard touchdown reception from Neal Posey in the first five minutes of the game. It was his second touchdown reception of the season.

"I think our team is starting to gain confidence in the H-Back position and what we can do," said Hall, who had three receptions for 68 yards and the touchdown. "As a result, we've been getting the ball more. When we get the ball, we're just trying to make plays. The last couple of weeks, we've been able to make some good plays for the team."

Hall has eight receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns in the past two weeks.

On Saturday, Huntingdon (4-1) generated 357 yards in the first half and finished with 511 yards on 84 plays. Ave Maria (0-4) finished with 184 yards on 64 plays.

Huntingdon junior Trevor Manuel turned in his fourth 100-yard rushing performance in five games. Manuel rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries in the first quarter. He finished with 117 yards on 14 carries.

This season he has rushed for 511 yards and six touchdowns. Manuel needs 180 yards and three more touchdowns to become the Hawks' all-time leading rusher and the career rushing touchdown leader.

Parker Roberts added 61 yards rushing, Paul Mielke gained 50 yards and a touchdown and freshman Morgan Faulkner picked up 33 yards.

Posey, who played the first quarter and the opening drive of the third quarter was 10-of-18 for 131 yards and two touchdowns. In addition to Hall, Posey hit Del Green for an 11-yard scoring strike on the opening drive of the third quarter.

Ryne Taylor, was 8-of-13 for 120 yards, a touchdown and an interception in two-plus quarters of action. Taylor connected with Austin Worley for a 7-yard score.

John David Swiger led the Hawks with seven tackles and Xavier Singleton added six. Jimmy Rich and Blake Lawley each had a sack. Keith Anthony had one interception.

Huntingdon returns to action on Oct. 8 at Samford Stadium. The Hawks host Wittenberg at 1 p.m. Wittenberg is ranked No. 15 in the American Football Coaches Association's Division III poll and No. 16 in the D3football.com poll.

"These are the games that you really get excited to play," Hall said. "They're ranked 15th and we're going to have to put in a lot of hard work to get ready for them. We know our coaches will come up with a good plan but it will be up to us to come out and execute the plan."