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  Good teams in any sport always take advantage of their opponent’s mistakes.  That is exactly what the No. 9 ranked Hanover did Friday night to keep their postseason hopes alive.  The Hawks defeated host Lee-Davis 41-21 by jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the second quarter as their defense and special teams forced their Capital District opponents to numerous turnovers and mistakes. 

  Confederates’ quarterback Will Burton (17 of 25, 230 yards, 2 touchdowns) threw an interception late in the first quarter and the mistake setup the Hawks first touchdown.

  Hawks’ quarterback Josh Wells (11 of 17, 210 yards, 3 touchdowns) spotted wide-open Karlton Davis streaking down the middle of the field for a 45-yard touchdown.  In the ensuing possessions, both teams turned the ball over.  However, after forcing the Confederates to three-and-out, the Hawks blocked Walton’s punt setting up their next score when Wells again hooked up with an uncovered receiver. 

  This time Wells found junior Danny Trsic alone for a 24-yard touchdown.  The Confederates continued to make mistakes to set up their opponents. 

  On Lee-Davis’ next possession, Hawks defensive back Marzae Brooks recovered a fumble by Confederate running back Tucker Walton.  Six plays later, running back Dean Cheatham (four receptions 92 yards, nine carries for 46 yards, 2 touchdowns) went up the middle for a three-yard score.  With just 1:10 to go in the first half, Lee-Davis was down 21-0.

  “We executed poorly in the first half,” said a disappointed Lee-Davis head coach Jason Meade. “We turned the ball over and we blew coverage. Now we’re down 21 [points].”

  But the Confederates rebounded quickly. It only took Lee-Davis less than a minute to score their first touchdown.  Burton completed a 47-yard pass to senior T.J. Harvey bringing the ball down to the Hanover 25-yard line.  A few plays later Burton hooked up with Harvey again on a fade pattern for a 4-yard touchdown.  Even though the Confederates missed the extra point, they went into halftime on a positive note. 

  However, any momentum Lee-Davis had was short lived when the second half began.  After their opening possession, Lee-Davis punted the ball back to a confident Hanover offense and Deane Cheatham turned a backside bubble route into 57-yard touchdown. 

  “We opened the play with play action,” Cheatham said. “We had big stats on the offensive side tonight. A lot of people were saying we can’t score but we put up a lot of points tonight.”

  Even when Lee-Davis managed to score, the Hawks kept adding to their total.
  Burton, who also finished with 69-yards rushing, scored from two yards to make the score 34-13 with time still left in the third quarter.  However, the Hawks countered again.  Sophomore Trey Facison took a pitch from Wells and ran in from 21-yards out to push the lead to 41-13.

  Lee-Davis recorded the game’s final touchdown later when Harvey scored his second touchdown of the night on a 47-yard pass from Burton.

  “Lee-Davis always plays us hard,” said Hanover coach Joshua Just. “They have put points up against everybody. I thought they were taking it to our defense at first. They had a couple of turnovers and we capitalized.”

  The Hawks host Henrico next week while Lee-Davis travels to play atAtlee. 
  Hanover hopes to continue to use a total team effort to keep their playoff hopes alive.  “Everyone is apart of the team,” Wells said. “We just have to beat Henrico next week.

  “We beat Henrico and we know we are in,” Wells added. “We can’t play around with Henrico. They have a legendary coach and great talent.”

Hanover———0 21 13 7 – 41
Lee-Davis——0   6   7 8 – 21
H- Davis 45 pass form Wells (Moore kick)
H- Trsic 25 pass from Wells (Moore kick)
H- Cheatham 2 run (Moore kick)
L- Harvey 5 pass from Burton (kick failed)
H- Cheatham 57 pass from Wells (Moore kick)
H- Fryman 6 run (kick fail)
L- Burton 2 run (Angus kick)
H- Facison 21 run (Moore kick)
L- Harvey 67 pass from Burton (Fetter run)