Sam Rogers may be out, but Hanover still has plenty of weapons in its offensive backfield.

  The Hawks used those weapons – especially quarterback Andrew Knizner – to great effect Friday night as they defeated visiting Lee-Davis 38-20 in a Capital District contest.

  Knizner completed 10-of-18 passes for 166 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Running back L.J. Jones ran the ball 28 times for 142 yards and three touchdowns.

  The victory sets up a pivotal Capital District battle next week between the Hawks, ranked No. 6 in the Times-Dispatch poll, and third-ranked Varina, which defeated Glen Allen 54-7 Friday night.

  “We’re excited. A lot of fun stuff is on the line,” Hanover coach Josh Just. “We’re looking forward to our rematch with Varina, and I know they’re looking forward to their rematch with us. It’s going to be fun.”

  The Capital District has been especially tough this season. After a frustrating 24-14 loss to Atlee earlier this month, Hanover (7-1, 4-1 Capital) has been regrouping. That process seemed endangered when Sam Rogers dislocated an elbow against Henrico two weeks ago. But Knizner has stepped up nicely.

  “We have to really, really good quarterbacks here,” Just said. “They’re both talented. It’s a blessing to have to guys like that – and leaders, and gamers, both of them.

  “Andrew has done a nice job. … He did a great job as a receiver and punter at the beginning of the year. He moved into our slot position and did well at that. And at quarterback – I’m not surprised.”

  Another player who had a good night for Hanover was Justin Peebles. Peebles has been out for most of the season as he recovered from a broken collarbone. But he established himself as Knizner’s favorite target, usually a step ahead of Lee-Davis defensive backs, good enough to catch seven passes for 148 yards and a touchdown.

  “They did a good job of using him,” Lee-Davis coach Zac Hayden said of Peebles. “He had a great game.”

  The loss may have doomed the Confederates’ hope for a Division 5 playoff berth.

  “We made some mistakes,” Hayden said. “We didn’t execute, we need to do some things better. We’ll get back to the drawing board Monday and try to finish out the season on a high note.”

  Lee Davis (4-4, 2-3) was led by quarterback Israel Vaughan, who carried the ball 18 times for 167 yards and two touchdowns. He also completed 7-of-19 passes for 63 yards and another score.

  Hanover wasted no time trying to show who was boss on its home field. The Hawks’ first score came on the first play of the game when Xavier Crocker returned the opening kickoff 64 yards for a touchdown.

  While the Confederate defense twice stopped the Hanover juggernaut in the first half, most of the time Knizner’s ability to connect with receivers, such as Peebles, or Jones ability to break through the line eventually produced a score for the Hawks.

  After briefly spotting Lee-Davis to an 8-7 lead following a 43-yard run by Vaughan midway through the first quarter, Hanover went ahead for good with a 37-yard pass from Knizner to Peebles.

  The Hawks scored on their next two drives, on 14- and 8-yard runs by Jones, to take a 28-8 lead. Knizner’s passing played a key role in setting up the latter score. First, Knizner connected on a 46-yard pass to Peebles that gave the Hawks a first-and-10 at the Lee-Davis 25.

  Lee-Davis’s offense showed some grit in the second half. On the opening drive of the third quarter, the Confederates drove 66 yards, capping the drive with a 25-yard run by Vaughan. Taking advantage of a fumbled Hanover punt return in the fourth quarter, the Confederates scored on a 30-yard pass from Vaughan to Tyrell Eaton. In both cases, conversion attempts failed.

  Hanover scored twice more in the second half. After a holding call stalled a long drive in the middle of the third, the Hawks settled for a 30-yard field goal by Matt Palmen to take a 31-14 lead.

  After a fumble caused by a bad snap nearly ended the Hawks’ next-to-last drive, giving them a third-and-13 at the 50-yard line, backup running back Lamont Stubbs broke loose for a 14-yard run to keep the drive alive. Stubbs carried the ball five times to get the ball to the 18, then Jones did the rest, scoring on a 16-yard run.
 
Lee-Davis…............... 8   0 6 6—20
Hanover…............... 14 14 3 7—38

H – Crocker 64 kick return (Palmen kick)
L-D – Vaughan 43 run (Eaton run)
H – Peebles 37 pass from Knizner (Palmen kick)
H – Jones 14 run (Palmen kick)
H – Jones 8 run (Palmen kick)
L-D – Vaughan 25 run (pass failed)
H – FG Palmen 30
L-D – Eaton 30 pass from Vaughan (kick failed)
H – Jones 16 run (Palmen kick)

RUSHING
Lee-Davis – Vaughan 18 carries 167 yards, Eaton 3-15, Roger 3-4, Simpson 7-25. Hanover – Jones 28-142, Mahmood 2-6, Knizner 4-(minus 10), Stubbs 9-71.

PASSING
Lee-Davis – Vaughan 7 completions 19 attempts 63 yards, 0 interceptions. Hanover – Knizner 10-18-166-1.

RECEIVING
Lee-Davis – Smith 2 reception 18 yards, Eaton 2-41, Reynolds 2-1, Simpson 1-3. Hanover – Peebles 7-148, Mahmood 2-17, Sorah 1-1.
Records: Lee-Davis (4-4, 2-3 Capital), Hanover (7-1, 4-1).