The Harmony Longhorns used big plays on defense and a 28-point second quarter to turn a close game into a 44-14 blowout against the Liberty Chargers Friday at Gary Preisser Field.
Running back Tyler Emans, who had another big night (18 carries, 138 yards, 5 TDs), had three scores in that quarter alone. Harmony (4-2) dominated another game with its running attack despite seeing eight and nine defenders in the box from Liberty (2-3), who had its two-game win streak snapped. The Longhorns defense also forced five turnovers.
"This is who we are, our identity, running the veer and playing tough defense," HHS Coach Don Simon said. "The kids were flying around, making a lot of good plays, and I'm really happy with how we played in all three phases (offense, defense, special teams)."
The win was a response to a tough 36-31 district loss to Viera last week -- and creates momentum going into another big District 7A-7 tilt next week at Melbourne.
"We had a really good week of practice," Simon said. "I'm happy how the kids responded to that."
The Longhorns scored 17 points in a three-minute stretch of game clock in the first and second quarter. Kevin Levigne kicked a 20-yard field goal, then after ferreting out Liberty's fake punt attempt, Emans scored his first TD from 2 yards out. A minute later, Justin Isaraphanich recovered a fumble at the Liberty 12, and Emans turned it into points from 3 yards out for a 17-0 Harmony lead with 9:19 left in the second quarter.
Liberty looked to make it a game by answering with an eight-play, 52-yard drive keyed by Karvelis Scott, who scored from the 2 to make it 17-6 with just 1:39 left in the half -- enough for Harmony to have an answer. Ayden Parks hit Isaiah Oquendo on a 62-yard pitch-and-catch touchdown on the next play, and on Liberty's next play Rawdon Batey sacked Jeremiah Pierre-Louis and forced a fumble Joshua Moss recovered at the Chargers 2. Emans made it points on the next play and a 31-6 halftime lead.
Emans scored on runs of 28 and 29 yards in the second half to send the game to a running clock. Hunter Carlson had an interception, and Logan Davis and Braydan Adams also recorded sacks. Quarterback Ayden Parks completed all three of his passes for 98 yards.
Scott scored again on a 9-yard run in the second half and had 100 yards on 20 carries. Pierre-Louis added 125 through the air on 6-of-15 passing for the Chargers, who host Immokalee next week.
