How 'bout them 'Hawks!
Story and Photos by Elizabeth Bailey Johnson

Hammond seniors celebrate their second consecutive Region I- 3A championship. Pictured L- R on the Front Row are Walker Inabinet, Steven Harvin, Josh Walters, and Alston James; Back Row are Ward Mungo, Stone Pinckney, Austin Hood,Coach Erik Kimrey,Blake Wells,Adam Gamble,and James Wade.

What should Hammond Skyhawk fans have expected from a team that graduated its all- time leaders in passing (Punky DaSilva), receiving (Rashad Ismael), and tackling (Carter Scott) plus an over 1500 yard, 20 touchdown running back (Jarry Kuilian) in 2006?

How about another championship?

The Hammond Skyhawks marched across state lines October 26 to defeat the Augusta Christian Lions 28- 21 and win their second consecutive SCISA Region I- 3A championship.

The Skyhawks started off strong putting two touch downs on the board and a two- point conversion. This put the Skyhawks up 14- 0 on the backs of Taylor Smith who had both the first touchdown and two- point conversion, and Brad Meredith who scored the second touchdown.

However, a bit of wind got knocked out of the Skyhawk momentum at the beginning of the second quarter as it appeared the Lions were not ready to fold. The quarter started with a drive by the Lions and ended with a 25- yard pass from quarterback Mike Robinson to Tyler Bourdo.

Taylor Smith racked up 67 yards, two touchdowns, and one two- point conversion on seven carries.

The Skyhawks had a quick counterattack and scored once again thanks to a 46- yard catch off the arm of quarterback Cliff Ayers to Brad Meredith.

Yet again the Lions refused to be silenced. Just as quickly as Hammond had regained its 14 point margin, William Banks of Augusta Christian ran back the kickoff 85 yards dodging every tackle that came his way. At half time the score was 21- 14.

The third quarter was a duel back and forth, but ultimately a stalemate with the score untouched by either team.

In the fourth quarter Hammond got on the board first after a 22- yard run by Taylor Smith to get not only his second touchdown of the game but also what would be the game winning touchdown.

The Lions got the ball back and were able to score once more to bring the final score to 28- 21; but in the last few minutes of the game Hammond controlled possession and even though scoring was an option, the ever- present sportsmanship of the Skyhawks and their head coach Eric Kimrey prevailed, as they knelt down to take the game.

Meredith finished with 27 carries for 124 yards. He also had two receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown. Smith racked up 67 yards, two touchdowns, and one two- point conversion on seven carries. Quarterback Cliff Ayers completed 17 of 23 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown. Aaron Walters had 85 yards on six receptions and Alston James netted 56 yards on five receptions.

Walker Inabinet had 13 tackles two of which were for loss. Will Patterson and Bradford MacGillivray each had seven tacklesand Steven Harvin and Hunter McMaster each had six.

The Hammond offense racked up 425 total yards on 210 yards passing and 215 rushing, while the defense only gave up 262 total yards.

The Skyhawks will host Porter- Gaud in the opening round of the SCISA 3A playoffs Nov. 2 and look forward to having Stone Pinckney back off the injured list to continue to contribute to their strong defense and another run at their second striaght state championship.

Alston James eyes the first down marker as Coach Erik Kimrey (r) looks on. James netted 56 yards on five receptions.