Hendersonville Standard
HENDERSONVILLE WEATHER

Commandos blow past McGavock to open playoff run




Hendersonville’s Ellis Ellis celebrates with teammates on the sideline after a long touchdown reception against McGavock.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Ellis Ellis celebrates with teammates on the sideline after a long touchdown reception against McGavock.Brett Berwager

HENDERSONVILLE – The Hendersonville Commandos jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as they cruised to a 56-0 win over the McGavock Raiders in their first-round Class 6A playoff matchup on Friday Night.

The Commandos used a smothering defense and a quick strike offense to put the game out of reach by halftime.

Hendersonville Head Coach James Beasley was proud of the way his players executed on the night.

“Give all the credit to our kids tonight,” Beasley said. “They were focused all week, and they wanted to come out and play our brand of football tonight.”

The Commando defense got things going with an early interception by Anthony Christian, setting up the Commandos deep in Raider territory. From there, Torin Baker ran in a 3-yard touchdown run; the first of three for the senior running back.

“Anthony got that interception to set up the short field, which was huge for us,” Beasley said. “It helped set the tone defensively tonight.”

The Hendersonville High School Band of Gold performs the National Anthem before Friday night’s playoff game.Brett Berwager

The Hendersonville High School Band of Gold performs the National Anthem before Friday night’s playoff game.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville extended to a two-touchdown lead on Baker’s second touchdown, this time from 10 yards out.

McGavock Head Coach Frederick Burnette had high praise for the Commando team on the night.

“The coaches do a great job over there getting the team ready to play,” Burnette said. “The players are intense and the do what they do very well.”

The Raiders struggled with penalties all night, routinely playing with long yardage down and distances.

“We tried to establish the mindset that we were down 14 early so we would be focused and intense,” Burnette said. “Unfortunately, we started the game off going in the wrong direction with penalties and it set us back.”

“The coaches do a great job over there getting the team ready to play,” Burnette said. “The players are intense and the do what they do very well.”

The Commandos extended their lead when Luke Manning found Ellis Ellis on an 83-yard touchdown strike.

From left, Hendersonville seniors Noah Carmean, Donnell Brown, Jameson Wharton and Luke Manning walk towards mid-field for the coin toss.Brett Berwager

From left, Hendersonville seniors Noah Carmean, Donnell Brown, Jameson Wharton and Luke Manning walk towards mid-field for the coin toss.Brett Berwager

Noah Carmean got in on the act with a 3-yard touchdown, before Manning called his own number with a 24-yard touchdown.

Baker got the hat trick right before halftime with a 28-yard touchdown run, giving the Commandos a 42-0 lead at the half.

“The way we prepared for this game, you just kind of knew we would be ready to execute offensively and defensively the way we needed to give ourselves a chance for success,” Beasley said.

Manning connected with Ellis once again to open the second half with a 46-yard touchdown pass, making it 49-0.

Stevin Mack capped the scoring on the night with a 27-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter.

The Commandos will host cross-county rival Gallatin next week in a rematch of their contest from week 4, which was won by Hendersonville. The second round Class 6A matchup is slated for a 7:00 p.m. kick-off.

McGavock's Christopher Lacy attempts to stiff arm a defender against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

McGavock’s Christopher Lacy attempts to stiff arm a defender against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville defenders bring down McGavock’s Christopher Lacy in the first quarter Friday night.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville defenders bring down McGavock’s Christopher Lacy in the first quarter Friday night.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Anthony Christian intercepts a pass intended for McGavock’s D’mitri Taylor in the first quarter.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Anthony Christian intercepts a pass intended for McGavock’s D’mitri Taylor in the first quarter.Brett Berwager

McGavock quarterback Josh Martin prepares to through a pass downfield against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

McGavock quarterback Josh Martin prepares to through a pass downfield against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Jack Busey runs with the football after making a catch against McGavock. See more photos on B3.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Jack Busey runs with the football after making a catch against McGavock. See more photos on B3.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Torin Baker breaks free through the McGavock defense for a touchdown.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Torin Baker breaks free through the McGavock defense for a touchdown.Brett Berwager

The Hendersonville High School Cheerleaders celebrate a Commando touchdown.Brett Berwager

The Hendersonville High School Cheerleaders celebrate a Commando touchdown.Brett Berwager

McGavock's Kamauri Allen reaches to catch a kick-off by Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

McGavock’s Kamauri Allen reaches to catch a kick-off by Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Ayden Powell and Noah Carmean bring down McGavock’s Kamauri Allen.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Ayden Powell and Noah Carmean bring down McGavock’s Kamauri Allen.Brett Berwager

McGavock’s Josh Martin attempts to avoid the defensive pressure of Hendersonville’s Donnell Brown and Jack Busey.Brett Berwager

McGavock’s Josh Martin attempts to avoid the defensive pressure of Hendersonville’s Donnell Brown and Jack Busey.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Donnell Brown, left, and Mason Lilly celebrate a defensive play beside McGavock quarterback Josh Martin. Continued from B2.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Donnell Brown, left, and Mason Lilly celebrate a defensive play beside McGavock quarterback Josh Martin. Continued from B2.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville defenders team up for a tackle on McGavock’s Christopher Lacy.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville defenders team up for a tackle on McGavock’s Christopher Lacy.Brett Berwager

McGavock quarterback Josh Martin runs for a first down against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

McGavock quarterback Josh Martin runs for a first down against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Anthony Christian reaches to bring down McGavock’s Christopher Lacy.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Anthony Christian reaches to bring down McGavock’s Christopher Lacy.Brett Berwager

McGavock quarterback Josh Martin attempts to throw a pass as he's pressured by Hendersonville's Jaden Thorton.Brett Berwager

McGavock quarterback Josh Martin attempts to throw a pass as he’s pressured by Hendersonville’s Jaden Thorton.Brett Berwager

McGavock's Demitrius Bell reacts after attempting to make a diving catch.Brett Berwager

McGavock’s Demitrius Bell reacts after attempting to make a diving catch.Brett Berwager

McGavock's Isaiah Burns punts the football from their own endzone against Hendersonville Friday night.Brett Berwager

McGavock’s Isaiah Burns punts the football from their own endzone against Hendersonville Friday night.Brett Berwager

McGavock's Isaiah Burns looks for running room against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

McGavock’s Isaiah Burns looks for running room against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

McGavock's Josh Martin scrambles from the pocket as he's pressured by Hendersonville's Jaden Thorton, left, and Cooper Dean.Brett Berwager

McGavock’s Josh Martin scrambles from the pocket as he’s pressured by Hendersonville’s Jaden Thorton, left, and Cooper Dean.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville quarterback Luke Manning scrambles from the pocket for a touchdown against McGavock.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville quarterback Luke Manning scrambles from the pocket for a touchdown against McGavock.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Ellis Ellis looks for running room through the McGavock defense during the Commandos victory Friday night.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Ellis Ellis looks for running room through the McGavock defense during the Commandos victory Friday night.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Torin Baker celebrates his touchdown run with Jack Brown.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Torin Baker celebrates his touchdown run with Jack Brown.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville teammates celebrate on the sideline during Friday night's playoff victory over McGavock.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville teammates celebrate on the sideline during Friday night’s playoff victory over McGavock.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Noah Carmean helps up McGavock's Christopher Lacy during Friday night's playoff game.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Noah Carmean helps up McGavock’s Christopher Lacy during Friday night’s playoff game.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Mason Lilly blocks McGavock's Chaz Blunt during a running play.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Mason Lilly blocks McGavock’s Chaz Blunt during a running play.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Jack Brown takes a handoff from quarterback Mason Baker.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Jack Brown takes a handoff from quarterback Mason Baker.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Stevin Mack attempts to stiff arm McGavock's Manuel Romero.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Stevin Mack attempts to stiff arm McGavock’s Manuel Romero.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Dannen Kondus breaks free for a first down against McGavock.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Dannen Kondus breaks free for a first down against McGavock.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Will Riley attempts to break the tackle of McGavock's Dylan Bumbalough.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Will Riley attempts to break the tackle of McGavock’s Dylan Bumbalough.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville players celebrate together after singing their alma mater Friday night. Hendersonville defeated McGavock 56-0.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville players celebrate together after singing their alma mater Friday night. Hendersonville defeated McGavock 56-0.Brett Berwager

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