Senior night belonged to Hawks in cross-town game

TEXARKANA, Texas - Pleasant Grove shone brightly in its 47-6 victory over Liberty-Eylau in a District 8-4A, D-II cross-town rivalry football game on Friday at Hawk Stadium on Senior Night.

Landon Jackson, the Hawks' standout senior defensive end and linebacker, had to watch the game from afar after having surgery on his ankle. Pleasant Grove honored Jackson just the same as the other seniors when two coaches carried his jersey out onto the field. The entire football team stood behind them at midfield in a show of support.

Jackson (6-foot-7, 245 pounds) is committed to Louisiana State University and wears number 40. Nick Martin, a standout running back and linebacker, wore Jackson's 40 to honor him. Jackson is a 4-year starter.

"Landon is a special kid, and our hearts are broken for him," Hawks head coach Josh Gibson said. "He will get back with us, and he will be at all of the practices to support the team. Landon is still going to be a big part of our program. Nick plays awesome all of the time, so I let him wear number 40 to honor Landon.

"Without a doubt, it was the best game that we've played all year. And we want to be playing our best football at this time. Our kids have worked their tails off. I am pleased with where we're at."

Martin led all rushers with 100 yards on nine carries that included a 34-yard touchdown run, while Landon Johnson rushed for 90 yards on just five totes and a 35-yard score. Johnson also caught a 69-yard TD pass from Jalen Woodside for Pleasant Grove.

Jaylen Boardley had two touchdowns runs (5 and 58 yards) and finished with 66 yards rushing on 11 carries for the Hawks. Teammate Corbin Shine had a 56-yard pick-6, and Trenton Kelley added an 8-yard TD.

Liberty-Eylau played without two of its standouts in quarterback JJ Hampton and running back Damian Henderson.

"We just have to keep growing," Leopards head coach Dewaski Davis said. "We had a lot of younger guys playing tonight, and we have to keep fighting. We are continually learning how to win. The team fought hard."

Darrion Crabtree intercepted a tipped pass and took it 6 yards in for the Leopards' only score of the game. Teammate Takylan Hampton paced Liberty-Eylau in rushing with 85 yards on 16 totes.

Semaj Rose was another bright spot for the Leopards. Rose has mutiple kickoff returns of 30+ yards in the loss.

Pleasant Grove (7-2, 4-0) plays at Gilmer (8-1, 4-0) with the District 8-4A, D-II title on the line at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Liberty Eylau (5-4, 2-2) hosts Pittsburg (1-7, 1-3) in its last regular season game on Friday.

The Hawks are ranked No. 3 in the Class 4A, Division II state poll by Texas Football magazine, while Gilmer is rated No. 5. Carthage (7-0) and West Orange-Stark (6-0) are Nos. 1-2.

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