Helmets flew into the air as time ticked off the clock at Adams Stadium on Friday night as the Cross Keys Indians ended a 30-game losing streak with a convincing 28-7 win over the Notre Dame Academy Irish Wolfhounds from Duluth.
The Indians last win came almost exactly four years ago in a 21-16 victory over Pataula Charter on September 30, 2016.
“This group of players has worked so hard and played a great game,” said Head Coach John Bowen. “They’ve really kept it together through the ups and downs of practice this summer and then having to restart.”
It started out on a bad note for the Indians as they fumbled at their own 35 to give Notre Dame good field position. The Indians ended the threat on a Jahir Molina interception. Molina would also have a fumble recovery in the game to go with several big tackles throughout the game.
Cross Keys (1-0) engineered a drive at that point with Roy Huff scoring the first of his three on the night with 10:53 left the second quarter eating up almost nine minutes of the clock. The two-point conversion was good to make 8-0.
Isidro Santillano scored with three seconds left in the first half to send the Indians into the breakup 14-0.
Huff, who had 23 carries for 161 yards on the night, picked up his second touchdown of the night with 4:17 left to play in the third quarter. His final score came with 6:55 remaining to make it 28-0 in favor of the Indians.
Notre Dame killed the shutout hopes scoring a touchdown with 4:41 to play in the game. The Indians let another score get away with a fumble at the goal line.
Santillano finished the night with 12 carries for 127 yards and his touchdown while the team had 50 attempts for 377 yards. Cross Keys dropped to pass just once but was sacked on the play.