Ayden-Grifton getting big production from modern-day play
Jet sweeps can be an effective way to showcase the speed of an offense’s skill-position players. Ayden-Grifton’s football team runs it as an offensive staple instead of merely a change of pace.
The speed of the Chargers’ top two running backs, Brandon Hardy and Modica Whitehurst, was on display in Ayden-Grifton’s 41-13 win over Farmville Central on Friday night.
And jet sweeps were the key, piling up yardage. The Chargers finished with 337 yards rushing, including four plays of at least 45 yards.
“That has been a big play for us,” Ayden-Grifton coach Paul Cornwell said. “Brandon does a great job of running that, and we do a pretty good job of blocking it. (Farmville Central) was all over it and he made some great cuts to get open.
He continued: “When you have a couple of playmakers in the backfield, it certainly makes life a little easier calling plays if we block well. He and Modica are just really good running backs, two seniors who are taking the torch and really doing a great job.”
Hardy has piled up 647 yards and seven touchdowns rushing over the last three games. He had 223 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries against Farmville Central.
Mention the words “jet sweep” and a smile creases Hardy’s face.
“Coach knows how to switch it up,” Hardy said. “I’m just glad our coach trusts us with the ball to get into the end zone.”
Hardy, 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds, touched the ball only six times in the first half, but was efficient with 177 yards and two touchdowns. Among the highlights were a 62-yard scamper after recovering a teammate’s fumble, a 66-yard scoring run on a jet sweep and another jet sweep for 46 yards.
Additionally, the 5-9, 171-pound Whitehurst used speed and elusiveness to run 51 yards for a touchdown up the middle of Farmville Central’s defense. He finished with 77 yards on just four carries in the first half.
“Our offense just blocks and executes good plays and scoring,” Hardy said in understatement.
While the win improved Ayden-Grifton to .500 at 2-2, Cornwell usually puts together a difficult non-conference schedule which helps them better prepare for league play later in the season. Additionally, the game against the Jaguars was the home opener for the Chargers, who started the season with losses at 3A West Craven and 4A D.H. Conley before beating North Pitt 28-13 last Monday. Ayden-Grifton’s next two games, against Pamlico County and Southern Nash, respectively, are at home.
Hardy outlined the Chargers’ goals for the rest of the season.
“To be consistent and win,” he said. “Keep on winning. Play as a team.”
This story was originally published September 10, 2016 at 2:49 PM with the headline "Ayden-Grifton getting big production from modern-day play."