Hayfield Run Defense Not up to the Task

Hayfield lacked sophomore Wesley Scott and junior Steve Lynch against Washington and Lee on Thursday. However, a lack of focus, as well as Generals senior running back Anthony Taylor, truly did them in.

Taylor had 157 yards on 31 carries to lead the Generals to a 23-7 win over the Hawks.

Hayfield's lack of focus became apparent early in the game after forcing the Generals into a punt. Junior Rigo Salguerro stepped back to punt the ball, but pulled it down and instead threw a 29-yard strike for a huge first down. Taylor scored a few plays later to put the Generals up 7-0.

That drive set the tone for the rest of the game, as Hayfield struggled to generate any sort of offense and couldn't stop Washington Lee from moving the ball up and down the field.

Hawks' junior Jason Stewart had an erratic game under center, repeatedly overthrowing wide-open receivers.

Hayfield Head Coach Roy Hill gave all the credit for the win to Washington and Lee

"[The Generals] played solid, fundamental football," Hill said. "They didn't make any mistakes. They let us do all that. They took it to us."

After an interception by Hawks' junior Hayden Knudson at the Hayfield 29-yard line, the Hawks looked poised to rally back; unfortunately, the offense couldn't do anything and put their defense back on the field to get run over by the Generals' Taylor.

Taylor had a huge game for Washington and Lee, carrying the ball 31 times for 157 yards and scoring three touchdowns.

"We just plain got beat," Hill said.

Hayfield will play its next game, at home, Friday Sept. 24 against Yorktown at 7:30 p.m.