Hirschi seeks jolt against Lions

Claire Kowalick/Times Record News Devin Criss (5) of Hirschi tries to carry a Sanger tackler in the season opener. Criss had a team-high three receptions and finished with 43 yards of offense.

Hirschi may feel like it’s back at square one after a 1-19 record the past two seasons. But tonight’s opponent at Memorial Stadium really is starting from scratch.

The Huskies will kick off for the 518th time at 7:30 tonight. For the Ponder Lions it is game No. 2.

The school’s debut was a 34-13 loss to Muenster.

But Hirschi coach Neil Searcy doesn’t want his Huskies taking anything for granted. He wants to see a big-picture performance focused on consistency, execution and a lot fewer mistakes.

“I want to see us execute better when we put ourselves in positions to score,” said Searcy, who watched his Huskies give up 38 consecutive points to Sanger last week after getting on top 6-0.

“For the most part, I like the way our defense played in the first part of the game. A lot of those scores weren’t really against our defense, but our offense or special teams.”

The Huskies have starting quarterback Trey Thomas back under center after the senior was injured early in the opener. Searcy said he could have returned in the fourth quarter but the game was out of hand.

Hirschi (0-1) hopes it plays well enough that Thomas and the starters wouldn’t be needed in crunch time tonight.

“We showed some sparks and flashes, and we’re being able to move the ball, but have to be more consistent and show some of the things we did in scrimmages,” Searcy said.

As for Ponder, the Lions were directed by Dalton Brown and Reid Sanders a week ago. Brown passed for 79 yards, while Sanders ran for 50. Logan Marchmen had 56 yards rushing to lead the squad, while Jayson Alexander gained 54.

Spencer Deal led the Ponder defense with five tackles, including a sack. John Burke had an interception on defense and two catches for 52 yards as a wideout.

“They are a first-year program, but looking at the film there is no quit in these kids,” Searcy said of Ponder. “They played hard the whole game. I told my kids that and sometimes these teams are kind of scary.”

But while Searcy appreciates what the Lions are trying to accomplish, he needs for his Huskies to get on the winning track. Hirschi’s last win was 51 weeks ago.

“Our kids need to get some confidence,” Searcy said.:”We need to take care of business early, find some consistency and get rid of those mistakes like penalties.”

Obviously there has been no prior meeting on the football field, but Ponder did beat Hirschi in boys basketball a year ago. Those same Huskies who made the Region I-3A final fell 49-37 in an early nondistrict matchup with the Lions, which went 37-4 on the hardwood and won the Class 2A Championship game by 26 points.