Falcons grounded as Highlanders get third straight win

The Highlanders frustrated the Ben Lippen offense all night allowing the Falcons only 42 yards rushing and 188 yards passing. The Falcons were 0 for 4 on fourth down conversions and turned the ball over three times.

Ben Lippen 6 Heathwood Hall 30 Story and photos

by Mike Maddock

Mike@TheColumbiaStar.com

The good news for the Ben Lippen Falcons when they travelled to Heathwood Hall Friday, September 29, 2006, was the Highlanders started their first four drives of the first quarter with an interception, a punt, a fumble, and another punt. The bad news was the Falcons' own first quarter drives ended in a turnover on downs, an interception, and two punts.

The Falcons drove to the Heathwood Hall 26-yard line at the 8:56 mark of the second quarter and had two chances to convert on fourth down, but they could not do it. The Highlanders then rattled off 30 straight points.

Adam Walker rushed 20 times for 138 yards. He also had two receptions for 20 yards.

Garrett Rawl kicked a 25-yard field goal to open the scoring with five minutes remaining in the half. Four and a half minutes later, Tyler Whalen powered the ball in from the two-yard line for the game's first touchdown. The first half ended Heathwood Hall 10, Ben Lippen 0.

It took a little over two minutes for the Highlanders to score in the second half when quarterback Brett Whalen found Hampton Graham for an 11-yard touchdown pass. Six minutes later, Whalen threw a 12-yard strike to James Rogers in the end zone. Whalen hooked up again with Graham at the 10:20 mark of the fourth quarter for a 41-yard bomb putting the Highlanders up 30-0.

The Falcons put together a three-play scoring drive in the final two minutes of the game, but even that wasn't easy. Dunston connected with receivers Bill Koenig and Kyle Williamson to get the ball to the Heathwood 13-yard line. Then with 52.1 seconds remaining in the game, Dunston threw a pass to the right corner of the end zone which was batted around and finally landed in the arms of Mitchell Deter. The two-point conversion failed. That would end the scoring at Heathwood Hall 30, Ben Lippen 6.

Ben Lippen quarterback Greg Dunston had 188 yards passing with one touchdown.

Brett Whalen completed 22 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns for the Highlanders. He also rushed for 63 yards. Hampton Graham continued his torrid pace catching six passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns. He is averaging 18.6 yards per reception and 1.5 touchdowns per game this season.

Offensive lineman Hank Scurry graded out at 95%, the highest in Heathwood's first six games. Defensive back Davis Ray got two more interceptions to bring his season total to six. Defensive end Lindsay Crawford had three tackles, plus a sack and a quarterback pressure.

Ben Lippen's Greg Dunston completed 12 of 24 passes for 188 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions.

The Highlanders improve to 3-3 (1-0) and will travel to Hilton Head Prep Friday, October 6 for a 4 pm start. The Falcons fall to 3-3 (1-1) and will next face defending state champion Augusta Christian on the road.

Homecoming queen Bea Girndt is escorted by the Head of School, Stephen D. Hickman.