Winona Christian football coach Ashley Kuhn was worried about the North Delta offense heading into Friday night’s contest.
But the Stars used a bend but don’t break defense and scored 28 unanswered points in the first half and cruised to a 42-21 win over the Green Wave on Friday night.
The Stars improved to 6-1 on the season and will host Central Holmes for senior night.
Kuhn said the North Delta offense caused him plenty of concern.
“I was really worried about North Delta and their offense,” Kuhn said. “But we came out pretty hot and scored early. It was 7-7 and then we scored three straight times and got a defensive touchdown and was up 35-7 at the half. They moved the ball on us like I figured they would. We did a lot of bending but not breaking in the first half. They drove down once to the 1 and fumbled. We bent a lot but didn’t break. That was our plan because we knew they would move the ball. I thought our kids did a good job in slowing them down. It was a good win.”
The Stars got on the board first as Hill scored on a 5-yard run. Cannon Fisakrely kicked the PAT and the Stars led 7-0.
North Delta answered with a 34-yard run and hit the PAT as the Green Wave tied the score at 7-7.
Winona Christian then went to the air and hit a pair big plays as Brannon Hill hit Braxton Leach on touchdown passes of 23 and 62 yards. Both PATs were good and the Stars led 21-7 at the end of the first quarter.
The Stars continued to add to their total in the second quarter as Leach hit Johnny Greene on a 35-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was failed and the Stars led 27-7.
The Winona Christian defense then got in on the act as Greene recovered a North Delta fumble and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown. Hill ran in the two-point conversion and the Stars led 35-7 at the half.
“I thought we were really balanced on offense,” Kuhn said. “I think they loaded up to try and stop the run.But Brannon was very efficient and hit some big pass plays. We can throw the ball and if people load the box, you have to be able to throw. I just think that’s where you separate teams this time of year.”
North Delta got back on the board late in the third quarter with a 4-yard run to cut the score to 35-14.
The Stars then got their last points of the game as Irwin scored on a 10-yard run. The PAT was good and the Stars led 42-14.
North Delta added another score late in the fourth quarter for the final margin.
The Stars had a balanced night on offense with 179 yards passing and 189 rushing. Hill was 9-of-12 passing for 138 yards with two TDs. Irwin led the rushing attack with 108 yards on 16 carries while Hill had 72 yards on nine carries.
Leach had a big night receiving with eight catches for 121 yards and two TDs. Greene had three catches for 48 yards and a TD.
On defense, Holland Self had a big night as he led the Stars with 17 tackles, including three for a loss. Hill had 13 tackles and an interception while Luke Beckwith had 10 tackles. Austin Wiggins and Irwin each had eight tackles while Austin Horne and Jase Osborne each had six tackles. Leach, Kaleb King and Cole Fletcher each had five tackles while Greene and Hunter Land each had three tackles. Greene also had two fumble recoveries for the Stars.
This week’s game
The Stars will be at home this week as they host rival Central Holmes for senior night.
The Trojans are 3-4 on the season with wins over Oak Hill (21-19), West Memphis (44-12) and French Camp (24-12). They have losses to Kirk (36-8), Greenville Christian (40-0), Indianola (28-14) and Canton (61-10).
“We have played some common opponents but I haven’t seen them on film yet,” Kuhn said. “I just don’t know a lot about them. The one thing I do know is they beat us last year and it’s a game that we need town. It’s the end of a long home streak for us and it’s senior night. Central Holmes has been a good rivalry game here. We are coming off a big win and we put a lot into that game. I just hope we don’t have a let down.”
Last year, Central Holmes won 42-14.
