Batchelor, Flyers pile up big yardage in win over Hurricane; STGNews video postgame

ST. GEORGE – Dixie wide receiver Drew Batchelor jump-started the Flyers offense and his team never looked back.

The senior scored the first two touchdowns and set up a third by intercepting Hurricane quarterback Adlai Elison as the Flyers romped to a 41-20 win Friday night at Walt Brooks Stadium

dixie-smhurricane-smAfter Batchelor’s interception, Dixie quarterback Ammon Takau connected with his brother, running back/defensive tackle Joseph Takau, with a 27-yard touchdown on a halfback screen. The three-touchdown lead would proved to be the final margin as Dixie moved to 2-0 in region play.

“Ammon Takau spread the ball around hitting several receivers,” said Dixie coach Blaine Monkres. “He has grown into the role quickly and the offense is clicking.”

As good as the offense played, Dixie’s defense was not to be outdone. The starters kept the Hurricane offense out of their territory most of the night. The only exception was a 70-yard pass that the Hurricane receiver fumbled at the Dixie 6-yard line.

Hurricane’s three scores came after two Dixie offense turnovers deep in Flyers territory and a third against the Dixie second-team defense once the game was out of reach.

“We changed up some schemes,” said Monkres. “We have had problems against this team the last few years.”

Drew Batchelor scores Friday night, Hurricane at Dixie, St. George, Utah, Sept. 27, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Drew Batchelor scores Friday night, Hurricane at Dixie, St. George, Utah, Sept. 27, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News

The Dixie defensive front seven continually won the battle on the line, getting penetration and stuffing Hurricane rushers before they could gather any momentum.

After Dixie’s early lead, Hurricane capitalized on a Takau sack and fumble at the Dixie 21-yard line. Three plays later, Hurricane running back Jeremiah Ieremia scored on a 3-yard run with 6:12 left in the half, making it 21-7.

On the final drive of the half, Dixie would add a Miles Barker field goal as time ran out.

On Dixie’s first possession of the second half, Joseph Takau lost the ball on the fumble. Hurricane took over at the Dixie 10-yard line and scored on an Ieremiah 7-yard run to close to within 24-14 at the 5:58 mark of the third quarter. However, Dixie would score the next 17 points to put the game away.

Joseph Takau matched his receiving touchdown with a rushing touchdown at the 10:16 mark of the fourth quarter with a 3-yard run. Ammon Takau hooked up with wide receiver Andy Appel for a 23-yard touchdown pass at the 5:20 mark to make it 38-14.

Hurricane fumbled the ensuing kickoff, but the Flyers second-string offense could not capitalize and Dixie put another Miles Barker field goal on the board from 34-yards out to round out their scoring.

Hurricane was able to drive the length of the field on their final possession, culminating in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Adlai Elison to Noah Elison with 34 seconds to play.

Andy Appel, Hurricane at Dixie, St. George, Utah, Sept. 27, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Andy Appel, Hurricane at Dixie, St. George, Utah, Sept. 27, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News

Ammon Takau went 25 for 30 through the air for 347 yards with three touchdowns. Batchelor rushed three times for 73 yards and a score and hauled in six catches for 93 yards and a TD. Andy Appel had six catches for 114 yards and a TD for the Flyers.

The win propelled Dixie to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in 3AA South Region play. Hurricane, which fell to 1-5 and 1-2, got 156 passing yards from Adlai Elison. But the Tigers struggled rushing the ball, gaining just 104 yards on 35 attempts, 2.97 yards per rush.

Stats: hurdix92713

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Twitter: @oldschoolag

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.

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