The Hinesville Hurricanes’ defense made a clutch play in overtime for a 26-20 win Saturday at home against Savannah’s Legion of Zoom.
The ‘Canes defense rushed the opponent’s quarterback and tipped the ball as it left his fingers. The ‘Canes intercepted the tipped pass and rumbled 72 yards for the winning touchdown.
The Raiders had tied the game, 20-20, on a fourth-down play with a minute left in regulation.
“Tonight we were still missing players, so we had to just make do the best we could. We played hard for 60-plus minutes and were able to come up with a win,” Hurricane lineman Jamie Sharp said.
He said the Hurricanes kept changing personnel, especially in the secondary, because of injuries in the second half.
The game was dedicated to the memory of Sharp’s mother, Mary Jo Sharp. She was also the wife of Hurricane coach James Sharp.
True to its name, Legion of Zoom used speed for its first score off a Hurricane-fumble at midfield. They tacked on the two point conversion.
Hinesville roared back with a strong ground game. Kendrick Badger scampered for a 10-yard touchdown, cutting the score to 8-6.
Then Charles Crossley grabbed an onside kick on the other side of the 50-yard line, giving the Hurricanes great field position and setting up Hinesville’s second touchdown and its first lead, 14-8. Savannah tied the game going into the half and kept close in the second half.
The Hurricanes moved to 2-1 on the season and host the Tri-County Panthers at Long Bell Stadium at 7 p.m. Saturday.