The Town Crier: High School Sports: Hornets sting Lions 24-8 (10/08/12)

Sophomore Kyle Joyner is this week's Town Crier's Special Teams Player of the Week. Joyner averaged 35 yards per punt Friday night against Harrisburg. Joyner also scored on a two point conversion run. "Kyle had a good game Friday night against Harrisburg. He punted the ball well and played well at quarterback," said Castor.

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Harrisburg punched in three first half touchdowns on a wet, blustery Friday night en route to a 24-8 victory over Manila in 3A-3 conference football action at Harrisburg. The win was the first of the year for the Hornets, who recovered eight of the 13 Lion fumbles on the evening.

The opening kickoff was a sign of things to come for Manila, when the Hornets pounced on a Lion fumble at the Manila 39 yard line. The Lion defense stiffened, stopping Harrisburg on downs, but quickly went three and out on offense.

Harrisburg took over after a short punt and traveled 39 yards in just six plays, scoring on a three yard touchdown scamper by Hornet quarterback Dakota Jones with 4:14 left in the opening quarter. The two point conversion failed, leaving the Hornets up 6-0.

Senior linebacker Dylan Wicoff is this week's Town Crier Defensive Player of the Week. Wicoff recorded 10 unassisted tackles in leading the Lion defensive charge against Harrisburg Friday night at Hornet Field. "Dylan is really playing well right now. He is a big part of our defensive effort," said Lion Coach Jerry Castor.

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Harrisburg scored again with 10:05 left in the half on a one yard keeper by Jones. The touchdown was set up on a 34-yard run by Bryan Miller. The two point conversion attempt failed again, and Harrisburg led 12-0.

Wesley Creasey capped off the first half scoring for the Hornets, sprinting 49 yards into the end zone with 4:58 left in the half, giving Harrisburg an 18-0 lead.

Manila's offense could never get untracked, as the Lions simply had trouble hanging on to the ball in the wet conditions.

Harrisburg tacked on its fourth score of the night with 11:15 left in the game on Jones' six yard touchdown scamper, putting the Hornets up 24-0.

The Lions finally got on the board midway through the final period when Dustin Sirmon rambled 23 yards for a touchdown. Kyle Joyner tacked on the two point conversion run to set the final score at 24-8.

"We just couldn't hang on to the football tonight," said Lion Coach Jerry Castor. "The weather conditions were not good but Harrisburg had to play in the same weather we did. We are going to work on those mistakes and correct them. This team is going to be alright. We had a lot of kids that played hard and we will be ready to go next week."

Manila will return to action Friday night when they play host to Hoxie at Lion Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.