Cardinal Newman's James Williams closes in as Hammond's Cliff Ayers launches a pass downfield. At the Highlander Jamboree on Friday, August 22, the Hammond Skyhawks squeaked by the Cardinal Newman Cardinals 7- 6 in two quarters of play, and the Heathwood Hall Highlanders blasted the SCISA 2A Calhoun Cavaliers 20- 0 in the final two quarters. Even though Hammond and Heathwood Hall had more points at the end, the real winner was Mother Nature.

A steady rain fell all afternoon, leaving the schools wondering if the scrimmages would be played at all. Once the go- ahead was given, all teams arrived at Heathwood and warmed up, only to be met by more rain as the kickoff approached.

The teams then agreed to play the game with a running clock, which allowed for fewer possessions but a less - damaged field.

In the first game, the skies opened even more, and Cardinal Newman and Hammond started the season in a downpour. Both teams scored once, but the Skyhawks made their extra point while the Cardinals missed theirs.

Neither team could find an offensive rhythm due to the wet conditions. Both teams had numerous dropped passes that normally would have been caught. Hammond quarterback Cliff Ayers ended the scrimmage 2- for- 10 with a touchdown, while the Cardinal passers wound up 2- for- 8.

Photos by Mike Maddock Heathwood Hall's Walker Sojouner splits the Calhoun defense and follows his blockers downfield. Both teams scored after turnovers. On Cardinal Newman's second possession, sophomore Timmy Cunningham threw an ill- advised pass on third- and- 12. It was intercepted by the Skyhawks' Beach Corontzes, who returned it 15 yards to the Cardinal 42. After keeping the drive alive with an 11- yard pass on fourthand- 5, Ayers hit senior wipe out Taylor Smith for a 26- yard touchdown. Joseph Zemp's extra point made it 7- 0.

After a three- and- out by Cardinal Newman, Hammond took over on their own 14. On the first play, Cardinal lineman Greg Regan forced a fumble by Ayers that was recovered by Philip Thompson.

The Cardinals wasted no time capitalizing on the gift as Michael Bolchoz took the hand off and rumbled 10 yards for the touchdown. A missed extra point left the Cardinals a point short, and time ran out on them before they could mount a serious drive.

Cardinal Newman's Michael Bolchoz scores on a ten- yard run. No serious injuries were reported; however, Hammond head coach Eric Kimrey did not appear happy with his team's performance. The Skyhawks spent the first quarter of the next game running sprints on the field next door.

The teams now head into this Friday (8/29) looking for wins in their season openers. Hammond hosts Pinewood Prep, and Cardinal Newman travels to Arden, N.C., to play Christ School.

Mother Nature let up a bit in the second game of the night, but Heathwood Hall did not. The Highlanders took their opening drive 70 yards with a mix of runs from quarterback Mac Whalen and Melton Bristow. Bristow's 37- yard scamper to the Calhoun eight yard line, followed by a six- yard run, then a two- yard scramble by Whalen gave Heathwood Hall a 6- 0 lead.

The Cavaliers could do nothing against the Highlander defense or the elements netting - 10 yards on three possessions.

Heathwood Hall's Davis Ray flattens a Calhoun runner. Meanwhile, the only thing that stopped the Highlanders was the clock.

On their second possession, Whalen and Melton combined again for the bulk of the yardage. Whalen also found Davis Ray for a 14- yard pass on thirdand- ten from the Calhoun 25- yard line. Whalen's 11- yard run up the middle followed by a Cole Fowble extra point gave Heathwood Hall a 13- 0 advantage.

The Highlanders' third possession of the game ended in a Whalen 10- yard pass to Jack Moorman in the back of the end zone. Fowble's extra point made it 20- 0.

The Highlanders open their regular season on the road at Porter- Gaud August 29.