HobbsDailyReport.com
HICKORY 36
McDOWELL 13
MARION – Quarterback Derrien Phillips hooked up with Jaekwon Staton three times on Friday night, leading visiting Hickory High’s 36-13 victory over McDowell and giving the Red Tornadoes three straight wins.
Phillips scored on an 18-yard run early and threw to Staton for a TD after the Titans (1-4, 0-1) had kicked a field goal for a 3-0 lead.
When Phillips threw a scoring pass to Staton later in the game, the Red Tornadoes (4-2, 1-0) were ahead 19-13.
The three scores give Phillips and Staton five connections for TDs in the last three games. They hooked up twice in Hickory’s first win of the year, 28-27 at Hunter Huss, on plays covering 12 and 15 yards.
Phillips, a senior, has five TD passes this season.
Hickory, playing its first season under head coach Russell Stone, now has as many wins this season as it did in the three previous years combined 4-29. The Red Tornadoes were 1-10 in back-to-back seasons before going 2-9 last season.
The Red Tornadoes have a big league game next Friday in Hickory, facing Freedom at 7:30 p.m.
McDowell’s next game is next Friday, also in Hickory, when it visits St. Stephens for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.