Hammond’s B.J. Bennett runs by Heathwood Hall’s Alex Bueno for a touchdown. The visiting Heathwood Hall Highlanders held the Hammond Skyhawks to a field goal and 51 yards in the second half of their game Friday, October 21. Unfortunately for the Highlanders, that was due to the fact Hammond head coach Erik Kimrey had already pulled his starters because they had racked up 482 yards and 48 points in the first half en route to a 51-0 victory.

Hammond’s B.J. Bennett was a man among boys rushing 13 times for 250 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 103 yards and a touchdown all in the first half. He watched the second half from the sidelines breaking a school record for a half with his five rushing touchdowns. He tied the record for a game. His six total touchdowns was a school record for a half and a game. Bennett’s 353 yards of total offense also set a record for a half .

Hammond’s 2006 state championship team is honored at halftime. Pictured above are Blake Wells, Carter Scott, Erik Kimery, Austin Hood, and Sam Simmons. Bennett was not the only record setter. Braden Shockley tied a school record for a game and a half with three interceptions. He now has six on the season.

Sophomore offensive lineman Patrick Kneece graded out at 97%. Along with Peter McWilliams who graded out at 91% with a knockdown, and William Love, who graded out at 91% with two pancakes and one knockdown, Kneece helped lead the Skyhawks to a school record 482 total offensive yards in a half. Defensive tackle Cole Brown recorded eight tackles to lead the Hammond defense.

Bennett started the scoring just over a minute into the game when he took a screen pass from Jake Nidiffer and raced 49 yards virtually untouched into the end zone. Four minutes later, after forcing a Heathwood punt, Bennett completed a seven-play, 73-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run.

Hammond’s Braden Shockley leaps for one of his three interceptions. After another Heathwood punt, Bennett ran twice. He got seven yards on the first run, then took a hand-off up the middle 73 yards for a touchdown. McIver Prickett’s extra-point made it 20-0 with 2:13 to play in the first quarter.

After the Highlanders drove from the 20 yard line to their own 38 yard line, Shockley got the first of his interceptions picking off Will Detwiler’s downfield heave. On the next play, Nidiffer threw a 53-yard touchdown strike to Cannon Smith. Prickett’s extra-point increased the Hammond lead to 27-0.

Shockley followed that up with his second interception grabbing another Detwiler pass lofted into the Hammond secondary. The Skyhawks marched 56 yards and scored on Bennett’s fiveyard run with 8:02 remaining in the half.

Hammond’s Ronald Brown (l) hangs on to Heathwood Hal l’s Joe Thompson as Cole Brown (#55) closes in. The Highlanders responded with their best drive of the night so far advancing from the 25 yard line to their own 48 yard line, but two runs by Jance Shine netted negative three yards, and the Highlanders were forced to punt again. A quick 57-yard pass to Bennett set the Skyhawks up at the Heathwood 21 yard line. Two plays later, Bennett found the end zone again this time from two yards out.

Three plays later, Shockley got his record third interception setting the Skyhawks up at the Heathwood 24 yard line. Bennett then took a hand-off and raced down the right sideline untouched for his record fifth rushing and sixth overall touchdown.

The Highlanders started the second half with a fumble. The Skyhawks, led by backup quarterback Logan Smith and running back Charlie Black, then drove 10 yards to the Highlander six yard line and settled for a Prickett field goal.

Hammond quarterback Jake Nidiffer throws a pass against Heathwood Hall. Heathwood Hall finally crossed the 50 yard line on the ensuing drive marching 66 yards to the Hammond 11 yard line, but a fumble and a personal foul pushed the Highlanders back to the Hammond 29 yard line. John Fowble’s field goal attempt fell short preserving the Hammond shut-out.

The Highlanders finished with 161 yards of offense. Joe Thompson led Heathwood with 59 yards rushing.

Emily Bakhaus was crowned Hammond’s Homecoming Queen, while Gilmore Oliphant was named Homecoming King.

Gilmore Oliphant and Emily Bakhaus were chosen as Hammond’s Homecoming King and Queen.