No matter which team plays Hanover, the defensive strategy usually is the same: Stop Sam Rogers. Not only can he run like a freight train, but he can drop back in the pocket and launch the deep ball.

  “Most defenses do (focus on Rogers),” Hanover coach Josh Just said. “He’s that good.”

  So when Highland Springs made its first priority to contain Rogers, Hanover shifted gears and gave the ball to L.J. Jones.

  The junior running back carried the ball 21 times for 172 yards and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run as No. 2 Hanover edged No. 8 Highland Springs 10-7 on Friday night.

  The Hawks (3-0, 1-0 Capital) scored on two long drives. In the second quarter, they marched 80 yards on 15 plays in 6:31. Jones rumbled into the end zone from the 1 to put the Hawks up 7-0.

  Early in the fourth quarter, they added a 30-yard field goal from Matt Palmen. That drive took 6:05 and started on their 28.

  But the Springers (2-2, 0-1) roared back late in the fourth quarter, making things interesting.

  Sophomore quarterback D.J. Johnson orchestrated a 79-yard scoring drive in about two minutes.

  With 1:42 left in the game, Johnson rolled out of the pocket. Not finding an open receiver, he dashed 7 yards to score the Springers’ only touchdown. Johnson finished 9 of 15 for 98 yards with one interception.

  Highland Springs attempted an onside kick, but it was unsuccessful. With the ball and the lead in hand, Hanover picked up one more first down, which allowed the Hawks to run the clock out.

  “We had to get the little things done right,” Rogers said, such as getting one last first down to seal the win.

  Highland Springs was effective at stopping Rogers, who carried the ball 23 times for 52 yards. His season average before Friday was 124 yards. Rogers didn’t have a carry longer than 8 yards. Rogers was limited in the passing game, too. He completed 4 of 9 passes for 38 yards and an interception.

  In three trips to the red zone, Highland Springs came away with one touchdown. Early in the fourth quarter, the Springers got to the Hanover 10, but on fourth and 4, the Hawks blitzed, and Johnson scrambled backward. Trying to find an open hole, he kept retreating and eventually was sacked for an 18-yard loss.

  Highland Springs has lost two close games to ranked teams. The Springers fell 21-14 to Meadow-brook in their season-opener. In Division 6, two losses can sometimes eliminate a team from playoff contention.

  “We’ve played two tough teams and came up short,” Highland Springs coach Loren Johnson said. “We’ve got to execute and win the rest just to have a chance.”

  Eric Kolenich is a staff writer for the Richmond Times Dispatch.

Highland Springs….. 0 0 0 7—  7
Hanover….................. 0 7 0 3— 10

Han — Jones 1 run (Palmen kick)
Han — FG Palmen 30
HS — Johnson 7 run
RUSHING:  HS – Johnson 7-27, Roan 1-0, Adams 4-15, Taylor 6-63, Scott 2-2, Wright 1-1. Han – Rogers 23-52, Jones 21-172.
PASSING: HS – Johnson 9 completions- 15 attempts- 1 interception, 98 yards. Han
– Rogers 4-9-1, 38.
RECEIVING: HS – Stubblefield 4-45, Brown 4-48, Stovall 1-5. Han – Mahmood 1-6, Knizner 1-6, Holland 2-26.