Hagan Edge did a little bit of everything Friday night, and his five touchdowns helped Owensboro Catholic take down Daviess County 36-18 in the first game played at the newly renovated Reid Stadium.
Both teams played a bit sloppy, but a stellar night by Edge helped the Aces (2-0) find enough rhythm to eventually pull away. Head coach Jason Morris was happy his team battled through to earn a victory.
“Overall I was pleased because this environment was electric tonight,” he said. “We didn’t play our A-game but we came out with a three-touchdown victory. That shows when we don’t play our best game we can still win in other ways. The bottom line is tonight we had Hagan Edge. He was very special tonight.”
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For a full photo gallery from the game, click here.
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Edge got his first score early, punching in a 1-yard run on 4th-and-goal for a quick 7-0 lead.
Daviess County’s first real threat came with time winding down in the first quarter, as they had a first and goal from the 1-yard line. The second quarter started with back-to-back quarterback keepers by Joe Humphreys on third and fourth downs from the 1, but both were ruled short.
Catholic then methodically worked down the field, and Edge caught a short pass that he took 18 yards for his second touchdown.
The Panthers cut into the deficit late in the half. A snap sailed high on Catholic’s punt attempt and gave DC possession on the 1-yard line yet again. This time, Humphrey got across with one push, though the failed 2-point conversion left them trailing 14-6.
DC got within 14-12 late in the third quarter on a 57-yard scamper by Shane Riley, but the 2-point conversion was unsuccessful again.
Another steady drive down the field for the Aces ended with Edge in the end zone again — this time after he caught a pass at the line, broke a tackle and wound his way through the defense for a 27-yard score.
“Everyone was making plays on offense,” Edge said, giving credit to the whole team on his ability to succeed all night. “We were all getting 5-yard gains, 10-yard gains and that’s what it was all about. Our quick game was key. It just ended up that I kept getting the big plays.”
After a 35-yard field goal by Michael Sullivan put Catholic up by 12, Edge intercepted a pass and streaked down the field 71 yards for his fourth score and a 30-12 lead.
The Panthers threatened once more after Riley ran for a 6-yard touchdown, but Edge sealed the game with 29-yard rushing score of his own.
Daviess County head coach Matt Brannon said his team showed improvement in areas after a tough loss in week one. He was especially proud of the defensive effort for keeping them in the game so long.
“I thought defensively we played outstanding,” he said. “We’re close. We’ve got to find somebody to make that tough play when it happens. We’re leaving plays out there that can change the game. I think that comes with game experience, knowing one or two or three plays can really make a difference in a game.”
Catholic quarterback Drew Hartz felt the presence of the defensive line from DC, and the Aces had to adjust from their normal aerial assault.
“We went more with the screen and quick passes,” he said. “There were some plays where I tried to throw deep but I didn’t really have the time to. We really tried to get the short game because when they blitzed it left some gaps open.”
Hartz finished 24-for-42 with 212 yards and three touchdowns. Edge had caught nine passes and rushed six times for a combined 158 yards and four offensive touchdowns.
Riley led the Panther offense with 19 carries for 153 yards and two touchdowns.
Both teams will be on the road next week. Catholic will travel across town to play Owensboro in a city-county rivalry, while Daviess County will go to Madisonville-North Hopkins (2-0).
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2019 football coverage is presented in part by Owensboro Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.
