Hartford was unable to convert a fourth and three with 1:35 left in the game trailing Colony-Crest 44-42. Crest would score one more time to snap their 13 game losing streak with a 52-42 victory over the Jaguars. This win marks the first for Crest’s new head coach Nick McAnulty.
Colton Barrett, Head Coach for Hartford, turned to freshman Ali Smith to lead his spread attack on offense. Smith’s first game saw him go 11-21 through the air for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Smith’s favorite receiver was sophomore Shayden Sull, as Sull had four receptions for 100 yards with all three scores.
Smith’s first game was a success in the eyes of his coach, even if not a victory.
“He was great. He carried our offense through the air and the ground. He had excellent pocket presence. Ali was made good reads all night and helped us climb back into the game. It was one of the better performances we’ve seen at that time for some time.”
Sull would lead Hartford’s rushing attack scampering for 60 yards over 17 carries and one score. Smith would also add a rushing touchdown. Sophomore Aiden Goodman would contribute 16 yards on the ground with a scoring touchdown as well.
“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get our run game going as we would have liked. We let Crest get the victory by not being able to make the tackles we should have” stated Barrett on his team’s effort.
Hartford will host Southern Coffey County next week, who also started their season 0-1 with a loss to Burlingame 50-0.