Stewarts Creek High School Baseball Defeats La Vergne High School, 9-3

By Heath Pope

Motlow Buzz Reporter

SMYRNA, Tenn.-- Stewarts Creek High School Baseball defeated La Vergne High School on April 19 in La Vergne by a score of 9-3, propelling the Red Hawks to the number one spot in district play.

The Red Hawks played well on both sides of the plate, while on the road against the Wolverines. Pitcher Austin Steel earned the win against Anthony Norman, the pitcher for La Vergne, allowing eight hits and three runs but striking out nine on the night. The win improves the Red Hawks district record to 12-4, while being 18-7 overall on the season.

"I hope it takes some pressure off our hitters,” said Steel. “We feel like all we need is one run and take a lead and play solid defense.”

La Vergne couldn’t drive home runs against Steel, who has been phenomenal this season being 6-0 as a starter. Daniel Freeman’s two-run homerun opened up the flood gates for the Red Hawks’ scoring on the night.

This win for SCHS highlights the athletic success that the entire school has been seeing this year. Since the school opened in 2013, it seems like all of the athletic departments have improved significantly into a real threat in not only regional play, but competing for state honors as well.

“Our coaches never made excuses and have always strived for excellence,” said SCHS Principal Dr. Clark Harrell.

On March 8, SCHS women's basketball team made it all the way to state but fell just short to Dickson County in a game that took two overtimes. The Lady Red Hawks finished the season 23-7, second in the district and their best overall record as a program.

The SCHS football team made huge strides this past fall, making it into the Region

5-A playoffs for the first time in school history with a district record of 5-2. This is a huge deal for the team and Coach David Martin after struggling the first two seasons to earn a few wins. Last year, the Red Hawks barely missed the playoffs, and the team did not shy away this year, finally making it happen for the school.

SCHS has seen a steady incline of winning, experiencing success in every area of athletics. This has been a year they will never forget. With women's basketball making it to the state playoffs, men's basketball making it to regionals, football making the regional playoffs, and the success baseball and softball are having, SCHS is going to be a major threat for a while in district 5-A.

 "To be a part of this starting of a tradition is special for the parents, faculty and students involved,” said Harrell. “It’s just special.”

For more information about athletics at Stewarts Creek High School, visit http://www.dnj.com/search/stewarts%20creek/

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Hillsboro High School Wins Playoff Football Game

By Tyler Nations

HILLSBORO, Tenn.— Hillboro High School dominated Stewarts Creek High School on the night of Nov. 4 in a high-scoring playoff football game, 41-7.

            The Hillboro Burros scored on their first possession on a long run by running back Tyler Neal. He found a seam and jetted through Stewarts Creek’s defense. As the game went on, Hillboro started to pull away from the Red Hawks. Neal scored the majority of the team’s points, earning four touchdowns.
            Hillsboro’s defense was just as strong as its offense, holding Stewart’s Creek to just seven points. It put pressure on Creek’s quarterback, sacking him five times and flushing him out of the pocket even more.
            Since it was a home game for Hillsboro, the stadium was packed. The crowd was electric, and one could tell they loved their hometown team. Every third down, the crowd would erupt. Every positive turning point in the game, fans leaped to their feet.
            As for the Red Hawks, they played hard but just could not match Hillsboro talent-wise. Coming into this game, they were missing players to injury, which showed. The backup players stepped up, but a lack of experience played a pivotal role. They came out to start the game strong, scoring on their first possession as well. Running back Zach Long took the handoff to the left side and punched it in at the goal line.
            One thing Stewarts Creek showed was heart, because even when the team was down, it kept fighting. Red Hawks fans did not disappoint either. Every play they made themselves known. When their team was down, they did all they could to help motivate it as a faithful fan base should.

          “We played hard, and it was a good year,” said Peyton Gardner, the kicker for Stewarts Creek.  “Expectations were exceeded, and we left it all on the field.”
              Before the game, both student sections ran onto the field to welcome their players. They had noise makers, and some students even threw baby powder in the air. After the teams broke through their banners, the bands started playing their cadences, and the students raced back to their seats. This helped build up suspense and excitement.
            After the game, families and friends went onto the field to meet up with their loved ones. Like any sporting event, there were tears from the losing team and laughter from the winning one.
           “It’s not exactly the way you want to go out as a senior,” Gardner said. “I am thankful I was able to play these past couple of years.”
            The Hillsboro Burros went on to face Independence High School the following week, but lost 42-20. Hillsboro finished with a 7-5 record, and Stewarts Creek finished with a 6-5 record.
            For more information on the game and the two schools, visit www.maxpreps.com.

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