Learning on the job

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Execution key for young Hawks

WATERTOWN — The Hawks reached into their bag of tricks early last Friday night in Watertown. Woodland sought to catch the Indians off guard with an onside kick to start the game.

“We came out aggressive trying to make something happen,” Woodland head coach Chris Moffo said.

The Indians pounced on the onside kick and drove straight down the field for their first score of the night.

That set the stage for the evening as Watertown ran away with a 44-6 victory over the Hawks.

Senior captain Issac Negron led the charge on offense for Woodland (0-2). Negron ran for 117 yards on 28 carries as he continues to be the Hawks’ workhorse.

The Hawks didn’t do themselves any favors on offense committing five turnovers, two of which the Indians (1-1) returned for touchdowns.

“We can’t have five turnovers and have two of them go for touchdowns,” Moffo said.

Negron lost the ball three times and Watertown covered up two of them, while fellow captain Quincy Koch threw two interceptions.

The score doesn’t tell the whole story, as is so often true of any game.

“We moved the ball very well between the 30s. At times our defense showed glimpses of what we want it to be. When we executed we played well, when we didn’t we played poorly,” Moffo said.

When the Hawks defense did flash, the player making his presence felt usually was senior captain Scott Lawrence. No. 47 was on a mission and had a team-high 15 tackles on the night, eight of which were solo, and one that came behind the line. Lawrence had a remarkable 11 tackles in the first half alone.

The offense had over 150 yards of production behind a very young offensive line. The line currently has no seniors on it and is starting three sophomores.

“Derek Cha, Joe Shea, and Josh Hassan are all stepping up. They are making some rookie mistakes but are getting better every day. It’s really all the little intricacies and tricks of the trade that they are seeing at a varsity speed, where last year they are on a freshman or JV level, that is tough,” Moffo said.

The Hawks have Sacred Heart coming to Beacon Falls Friday at 6:30 p.m.

“They have a very talented sophomore quarterback in Trey Dawson, who has a great arm and is big. Then they have Tyler Rudolph at wide receiver and Joel Guzman at running back, who are both tremendous athletes,” Moffo said.