Top-ranked Savage Heat get another win

The Savage Heat kept their winning steak alive on the road Saturday against Lima with a 87-6 victory.

“We came out fast and scored 50 points within the first quarter,” Head coach Jim Lawson said.

Lawson said stand-out  defensive performances were from Dave Cross and Nate Gray, who each had a few sacks, and Jimmy Holland, who marked two interceptions for the Savage Heat.

“Defensively, that’s the best we’ve ever played,” Coach Lawson said. “We kept them ten-deep, and I don’t think they had a first down until the third quarter.”

With all the early success of both sides of the team, Coach Lawson said he encourages his players to reamin focused on the game, and to play until the end of the fourth quarter. 

“When we get ahead like that, I always tell them to finish the game, we’ve got to play all four quarters,” Coach Lawson said. “And all of our younger kids get to play in games like that, and they played hard [against Lima]. They did really well.”

Mike Gray had five touchdowns, rushing for three while carrying five times for 98 yards. Hot Springs ran 12 offensive plays in the first half of the game, nine of which resulted in touchdowns.

“We were just able to run the ball really well and we didn’t have to pass it too many times,” Coach Lawson said. “We had lots of good performances.”

Quarterback Tanner Hoff threw for three scores, while Wyatt Nagy returned a kick 54 yards for another touchdown. The Savage Heat record is now set at 3-0, 4-0. Up next for the Savage Heat is a pick-up game on what was supposed to be their bye-week agaisnt Billings Christian.

“We played them last year and beat them, but this year, they’re undefeated - just like us - and they’ve put up some big numbers - just like us,” Coach Lawson said. “It’s going to be a tough game for sure.”

The game kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 at Hot Springs.