Emory & Henry Posts Strong Performance In Home Finale

BY ALLEN GREGORY
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

EMORY, Va. – Entering the 2009 football season, the Emory & Henry Wasps hoped to use a win over Washington & Lee as a springboard to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference title or playoff bid.

While those postseason aspirations were dashed weeks ago, Saturday’s Senior Day performance over W&L did create lasting memories for E&H fans.
The scenes include senior Jonathan Hawkins scoring a touchdown on just his second play of the year, senior co-captain Evin O’Sullivan shaking off a broken ankle to return to the field for one final play, and junior dynamo Caleb Jennings slicing through another defense.

It added up to a 23-16 victory for E&H. The Wasps (6-3, 2-3) have won two straight games since enduring three ODAC consecutive losses to Hampden-Sydney, Randolph-Macon and Bridgewater.

“It would have been real easy for these kids to say the heck with the rest of the year after we lost to Randolph-Macon, but they’ve shown incredible spirit and handled the adversity. I’m proud of this team,” E&H coach Don Montgomery said.

Saturday’s challenge centered on slowing the W&L running game. Working behind a huge offensive line and two Salem High School graduates in the backfield, the Generals (3-7, 2-4) entered the game leading the ODAC with 210 yards rushing per game. The Wasps were ranked last in the ODAC in rushing defense and total defense.

W&L managed just 119 yards rushing Saturday against an E&H defense led by linebackers Ed Smith and C.J. Hodges. Meanwhile, Jennings rushed for 188 yards and compiled 315 total yards.

With the W&L defenders focusing on the relentless Jennings, E&H countered with creative formations and plays. The subterfuge plan worked thanks to the work of the offensive line and the crisp execution of quarterback Drew Piscopo.

“Play-action is always good with Caleb because defenses key on him,” said Piscopo, who rushed for 70 yards and two scores.

The Generals crowded the line of scrimmage and often blitzed Piscopo with their safety.

“We prepared for that week, but we had only seen them do that twice in a game,” Piscopo said. “That’s part of paying respect to [Jennings], and we tried to take advantage.”

The six-foot-two Hawkins, who starred at Rural Retreat High School, has been slowed due to a stress fracture in his shin and a recent case of pneumonia. The first two receptions of the season for Hawkins resulted in touchdowns.

“That was awesome, but I couldn’t have done it without out guys blocking and the quarterback,” Hawkins said. “It really opens a lot for your offense when you have a running back like Jennings.”

Jennings scored his first touchdown on a tough catch over the middle, then got behind the W&L secondary on a fade pattern.

“I’ve had my ups and downs in college, I couldn’t have asked for anything more than this. It was special,” Hawkins said.

Piscopo could only imagine what a healthy Hawkins would have meant to the Wasps.

“Jonathan is like a basketball player out there,” Piscopo said. “He’s got really good timing, a big body and he knows how to go up and get the ball. It was crazy what Jonathan accomplished today, and it would have been great to have him out there all year.”

O’Sullivan’s curtain call unfolded on the first offensive play for W&L. In a surprise to E&H fans, O’Sullivan started the game at his usual outside linebacker spot and actually applied pressure on the quarterback for his single play. O’Sullivan missed most of last season with a broken ankle, then broke his angle again in the Sept. 26 game at Methodist.

“I was able to practice this week, and I talked to Coach Montgomery after practice Thursday,” O’Sullivan said. “As we were going onto the field today, Coach told my parents to make sure they watched the first play. I pretty much knew right there what to expect.”

O’Sullivan admitted his ankle was not at full strength Saturday, but he relished the opportunity to rejoin his teammates at least for one play.

“It was one of those feelings you never forget,” O’Sullivan said. “There have been a few downs here the past couple years, but my career here at Emory & Henry has been great.”

Montgomery hopes Saturday’s emotional win can serve as a defining moment for his team.

“We have a really good team that has struggled a little bit with all the changes we’ve been through, but we’re starting to find our niche now,” Montgomery said.

The Wasps can reach the seven-win mark for the first time since 2000 season with a victory at Guilford next week.

“Our goal is to finish 7-3,” Montgomery said. “We beat a good team today, and it’s good to see all our hard work paying off. There’s always something to play for.”

agregory@bristolnews.com|(276) 645-2544