HSU wins opener

[R. A.™]

REDDIES ROLL IN SEASON OPENER
Aug. 25, 2007
by Troy Mitchell

It took about a quarter for Henderson State to get things started, but once they did, the Reddies rolled to a 44-7 win over Texas College at the inaugural Round Rock Classic in Round Rock, Texas.

The defense was the story of the game, especially the first half as the Reddies forced four turnovers and limited the Steers to just over 1-yard per play in the opening 30 minutes.

It was a sloppy first quarter as both teams turned the ball over three time, but neither team was able to take advantage of their opponents miscue.

The Reddie defense came up big as a Tim Kranawetter tipped a X'Zavier Bloodsaw pass and Darrell Burnett intercepted the pass and returned it 20 yards to midfield to set a golden opportunity for the Reddies.

Manning then connected with Alex Sironda on a pair of crossing routes as the Reddies moved the ball down to the Steers' 4-yardline.

However, after a penalty, Manning was intercepted in the endzone to end the Reddie scoring threat.

After the Reddies forced Texas College to punt, the offense began to move the ball again and advanced it to the 1-yardline. The Reddies, however failed to score on three straight runs up the middle, forcing them to turn the ball over on downs.

It was the defense that put the Reddies on the board first as D.J. Papillion  with the help of Sam Carter sacked quarterback Bloodsaw in the end zone to give the Reddies a 2-0 lead with 9:54 to play in the opening half.

The offense then kicked it in to gear as Roch Charpentier  moved the Reddies down field and then hit Steven Scott for a 2-yard score to make the score 9-0.

On Texas College's next possession Darnei Bates intercepted Bloodsaw and returned it for a 25-yard touchdown.

The Steers again had problems with the hard-hitting Reddie defense as Mark Van-Paris forced a fumble that was recovered by Papillion at the Reddie 48.

Manning the engineered a 6-play 52-yard drive capped off by a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jazz Scott to make the score 23-0.

The defense held the Steers again as Nick Finley sacked Bloodsaw which forced the quarterback to lose the ball and again it was Papillion who recovered the loose ball at the Texas College 24.

The Reddies ended the half as Charpentier hit Greg Godfrey for a 22-yard scoring strike to make the score 30-0 at the break.

The onslaught was on in the second half as the Reddies held Texas College to three-plays and out, then on Henderson State's first offensive play of the second half,
Manning hit Greg Godfrey for a 41-yard touchdown strike to make the score 37-0.

Texas College finally got on the board late in the third quarter as the Steers orchestrated a 9-play drive with Lawrence Smith scoring on a 5-yard run to make the score 37-7.

The Reddies last scoring drive was conducted by Charpentier who ended the drive with a 11 yard scoring connection to Shapore Khalief.

Charpentier ended the night connecting on 16 of 22 passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns.

The Reddie defense limited Texas College to just 127 yards of total offense as the Steer ran 63 plays for an average of 2.0 yards per play.

Offensively for Henderson State, the Reddies totaled 415 yards averaging 5.5 yards per play.

Manning ended the night completing 9 of 18 pass for 169 yards and two touchdown tosses, while Godfrey had five catches for 107 yards and Sironda had four receptions for 82 yards.

Another bright spot was freshman kicker Justin Putnam who returned home and was successful on all six point after touchdowns.

Darnei Bates was named the most valuable defensive player, while Greg Godfrey was the offensive MVP of the classic.

The opponent get much tough next week as the Reddies travel to Natchitoches, La, to face Division 1-AA opponent Northwestern State at Turpin Stadium beginning at 6 p.m.