TEXARKANA, Texas - Pleasant Grove made Senior Night extra special with a victory over foe Liberty-Eylau.
The Hawks rolled past the Leopards, 47-6, in a District 8-4A, cross-town rivalry football game Friday night at Hawk Stadium.
"I am really excited for our kids," Pleasant Grove head coach Josh Gibson said. "I feel like we practiced hard the last three weeks. We've been grinding, and I believe that we reap what we sow. Kids are working hard.
"Our defense pitched a shutout. We gave up six offensive points, but the defense shut them out. They haven't given up a point in district yet."
The Hawks honored their seniors before the game with an on-field ceremony.
"The seniors went out at home in a great way," Gibson said. "It's even better because it's a win over a cross-town rival. It doesn't get any better than that."
Nick Martin led all rushers with 100 yards on nine carries and a touchdown for the Hawks, while teammate Logan Johnson racked up 90 yards on just five totes and a rushing TD.
"The team fought hard," Liberty-Eylau head coach Dewaski Davis said. "Our quarterback and our running back are out. We had some kids come out, fight and work hard; that's all we can ask for."
Takylan Hampton led Liberty-Eylau with 85 yards on 16 carries.
"Takylan plays hard and he plays how he works," Davis said. "He is a hard worker. We have to keep growing."
Johnson caught a long pass from Jalen Woodside and rushed the field, broke a tackle and went into the end zone with 6:40 left in the third quarter. The score put the Hawks up, 34-0.
Darrion Crabtree put the Leopards on the board with a 6-yard pick-6 with 11:13 to go in the game.
Trenton Kelley rushed in an 8-yard touchdown, and Pleasant Grove went up 41-6 with 8:50 left in the fourth period.
Boardley responded for the Hawks on a blazing 58-yard score to make it 47-6 with 6:17 to go in the game.
Nick Martin picked up 36 yards to set up a Jaylen Boardley 5-yard touchdown run. The scored padded the Pleasant Grove lead, 27-0, with 39 seconds left in the second.
Martin broke free and rushed 34 yards for a touchdown to put Pleasant Grove up, 6-0, with 9:16 in the opening quarter.
Corbin Shine had a 56-yard pick-6 to pad the Hawk lead, 13-0, with 7:45 in the first period.
After Torey Phillips recovered a fumble, Johnson broke tackles and sped 35 yards to paydirt to give Pleasant Grove a 20-0 edge in the first quarter.
The Hawks totaled 366 yards of offense, while the Leopards had 96 yards.