Hornets remain unbeaten, top Harrison Central 38-28

Malvern put all its points on the board in the first half Friday in a non-conference contest with the Harrison Central Huskies and held off the hosts for a 38-28 victory.

Hornet quarterback Jared Witherow and wide receiver Rodney Smith accounted for three of the team’s five touchdowns. 

The 6-5, 190 lb. senior Witherow connected with Smith, a 6-2, 170 lb. senior, for two first-quarter scores, a 36-yarder and the 30-yarder. 

Junior Clayton Abel added a touchdown to the board in the first quarter when he pounced on a fumble in the end zone. The visitors enjoyed a 22-0 first period lead.

Witherow also used his legs to score from 12-yards out in the second quarter and then he and Smith closed out Malvern’s scoring with a 43-yard touchdown.

The Hornets successfully completed four 2-point conversions. After an extra point kick was no good on the first touchdown, the Hornets opted for 2-point conversions attempts, which were all successful. The first was a pass from Witherow to Roy Simmons followed by a pass to Julius Gore, a Simmons run and another pass from Witherow of Simmons.

The Huskies put two touchdowns on the board in the second quarter to pull to within 38-14 at intermission. Both were scored by senior Mykel Quito on runs of 32 and 74 yards. Senior running back Blake Atkins scored  on a four-yard run in the third period and on a 21-yard run in the fourth period. Noah Thaxton was good on all four extra point kicks.

Harrison Central led in total yards 395-278 with 351 of those yards coming on the ground on 56 carries. Malvern’s success came through the air with Witherow completing 15 of 23 passes for 242 yards. 

Quito led the Huskies’ rushing attack with 262 yards on 28 carries while Smith led the Hornets in receiving with eight catches for 159 yards. Josh Untch pulled in three passes for yards. Quito caught one pass for 20 yards.

Harrison Central led in first downs 16-10 and committed two turnovers, both fumbles. 

Drake Hutchison anchored the Malvern defense with 11 tackles and two sacks. Owen Ball was credited with nine tackles, Braidon Miller eight tackles and on sack and Untch eight tackles and two tackles for loss. 

 “I was very happy with the way we played tonight,” said Hornet Coach Matt Chiurco. “We came out with a ton of focus, energy and enthusiasm and we really took it at them tonight. I thought our guys were flying around the field and making plays. We really harped on having more energy this week and not playing flat like we did against Conotton. Tonight was a very positive step forward for us. We have to keep things going and continue to get better.” 

Malvern improved to 3-0 on the season with the win and will host Tusky Valley in an Inter Valley Conference (IVC) contest Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.