HERNANDO TIGERS ROAR PAST LEWISBURG

Hernando High School quarterback Robert Wilcke accounted for six touchdowns in a 56-19 romp for the unbeaten Tigers (3-0) over cross-county rival Lewisburg at Tiger Stadium.

The Patriots, now 2-2, struggled to contain Wilcke and O.D. Wooten, both of whom racked up impressive yardage in the non-conference matchup for both squads.

The unbeaten Tigers were cheered on alumnus and U.S. Olympic athlete Ricky Robertson, who presided over the pre-game coin toss.

The Tigers roared past the Patriots after trading touchdowns early in the first quarter.

Wooten, who was a playmaker for the Tigers all night, got them in scoring position early on as backup quarterback Reese Vanlandingham scampered in for the touchdown, with Corey Dierolf's successful PAT capping the TD.

On their next possession, the Patriots got good field position after an onside kick by the Tigers.

On a second and goal situation from the two-yard line, Mark Smith put the Patriots on the scoreboard. A missed PAT gave the Tigers a one-point lead, with the score 7-6.

A spiraling squib kick by the Patriots led to good field position by Ladarius Boswell.

Wilcke and company soon got the Tigers back on the scoreboard as Wilcke rambled in for another Tiger touchdown.

The Tigers led 13-6 at the 3:37 mark, with Dierolf chipping in the point after.

But the Patriots stayed scrappy throughout the first quarter, with Smith fighting his way into the end zone. The Patriots went for the two-point conversion but the pass was broken up by Tiger Tucker Garrison.

A bootleg kick by the Patriots was recovered by Karleke Oliver, and the Tigers went to work from their own 30 yard-line.

Wooten again got the Tigers in scoring position as Wilcke soon struck pay dirt again, scrambling into the end zone, to make the score, after Dierolf's PAT, 21-12 at the 11:04 mark.

A 20-yard pass by Wilcke to Wooten put another six points on the scoreboard. With the PAT, the Tigers jumped out to a 28-12 lead.

A good defensive showing by James Krumm and Camion Nettles pinned the Patriots deep in their own territory.

On the ensuing possession by the Tigers, a Hernando fumble was recovered by Drake White, sparking the Patriots' hopes for a comeback, hopes which were short-lived.

Nettles again had a good defensive effort, stymieing the Patriots and allowing a 49-yard rushing touchdown run by Wilcke to make it 35-12, the score at halftime.

On the next Patriot possession, Chester King broke it wide open for the visiting Patriots, gaining good yardage but Lewisburg was corralled yet again by the Tigers.

The Patriots tried to regroup after halftime, with Patriots quarterback Bryce Brock scoring from five yards out to put Lewisburg momentarily within striking distance. The Tigers maintained a 35-19 lead.

Wilcke's pass to Wooten got the Tigers deep in Patriot territory. The Tigers would score yet another Wilcke TD and PAT to make it 42-19.

Wilcke would connect on a 20-yard touchdown pass to junior Dylan Alberson. With Dierolf's PAT, the Tigers roared out to a 48-19 lead.

Ladarrion Darden would add an exclamation point to the Tiger win late in the fourth quarter to put the Tigers up 55-19, with the PAT sailing through the uprights to seal the win.

The Tigers, next face Briarcrest at home. The Patriots will play Mitchell (Memphis) at home.