By Jim Flick

sports@vindy.com

Girard

The Hubbard High football team dominated the first three quarters of Friday night’s contest against Niles, then survived a fourth-quarter rally to emerge with a 41-21 victory.

The Eagles (7-3, 3-0 All-American Conference White Tier) scored after receiving the game’s opening kickoff, and led 34-0 after three quarters.

But the Red Dragons (5-5, 2-2 All-American Conference Red Tier) scored three touchdowns in the game’s final stanza

Leading Hubbard on the ground was 14-year-old freshman Larry Scott, who gained 104 yards on eighteen carries. Scott also scored two touchdowns, one a 30-yard pass from quarterback Ashton Owens, and the second on a 15-yard scamper into the end zone.

Owens’ passing accounted for 173 yards of offense, running for 58 yards in 15 carries.

Most of Niles’ offense came from senior quarterback Zack Bailey, who completed 23 of 29 passes for 257 yards. His most frequent target was senior Darius Harris, who caught eight passes, gaining 153 yards.

Hubbard coach Brian Hoffman said his players were disappointed that the team was eliminated from playoff consideration before Friday’s game.

“But they’re resilient,” said Hoffman, whose team wrapped up the All-American Conference White Tier title last week. “They really did come to work this week in practice. They were focused, and I think this is one of the best games we’ve played all year.

“I’m glad that the seniors get to go out with not only a win, but a conference title. We’ll build on this for next year.”

Niles coach Brad Yeager said his players didn’t give up, even when Hubbard led 34-0.

“Our kids believe in a never-quit attitude, and we showed that tonight,” he said. “Our kids had some fun with their last game.”

Niles fumbled the ball away three times, and Bailey threw one interception.

Hubbard struck first, driving 77 yards in nine plays. The drive ended when sophomore running back Darnell Tate dashed 20 yards to score.

The Eagles scored again in the first quarter when Scott caught a short pass from Owens and wove 30 yards to score.

After Niles fumbled the ball in the second quarter, Tate scored his second touchdown of the night for Hubbard, this time on a 34-yard pass from Owens. Hubbard led 20-0 at halftime.

Hubbard scored two more TDs on passes from Owens in the third quarter, the first on a 19-yard strike to Bo Campbell and the second on a 26-yard pass to Zack Merrell.

Dillon Palmer scored Niles’ first touchdown early in the fourth quarter, on a 22-yard pass from Bailey. After the Red Dragons recovered an onside kick, Harris snagged a 74-pass TD pass from Bailey.

After Scott scored his second TD on a 15-yard run, Niles sophomore Kyle Paden scored the Red Dragons’ third TD on a 42-yard fumble return.