MHHS Tigers clobber Skyview Hawks with 62-20 victory

The Mountain Home Tigers scored on their first seven possession of the first half to build up a 48-0 lead on their way to a 62-20 football win over the Skyview Hawks Friday night at Skyview.

The Tigers received the opening kickoff and started their first series on their own 28 yard-line. On the first play, Tallon Pauley rambled his way 72 yards for a touchdown, and just 14 seconds into the game, the Tigers led, 6-0.

"That's exactly what we wanted to do," said Tiger football coach Brian Floyd. "We wanted to take the Homecoming aspect and the revenge factor away, and we took it out on the first play!"

Mountain Home's defense then came alive, and after Skyview's first three downs, the Hawks had a minus 15 yards, and were forced to punt the ball back to the Tigers.

Mountain Home started from the Hawks' 48, and after Chris Knudson picked up 29 yards and two first downs on two carries, Matt Ward rambled 19 yards for a score. Ward ran in the two-point conversion to make it 14-0, with 9:06 left in the first half.

Another three-and-out and a 15-yard punt by Skyview put the Tigers at the Skyview 35. Four plays later, Jake Posey passed to Matt Ward, who ran 32 yards for a score, and the Tigers led, 20-0, with 5:16 left in the first quarter.

The Hawks went three-and-out again, and with a runback, the Tigers started from the Hawks' 42, where a seven-play drive ended with Jake Posey taking it in from the one. Posey then passed to Billy Derome for the two-point conversion to make it 28-0 as the first quarter ended.

Skyview's next drive was stalled when Kyle Kerfoot intercepted a pass and returned it to the Hawks' 27.

Tallon Pauley reeled off a 20-yard run down to the Skyview seven, and Matt Ward capped off the five-play drive from the one to make it 34-0, with 9:39 still left in the first half.

The Tigers recovered the fumble on the kickoff and started on the Skyview 31. Three plays later, Tallon Pauley scored from 19 yards out. Chris Maholick's PAT made it 41-0, with 8:43 left in the half.

The Hawks picked up their first first down of the game on their next series, but were forced to punt the ball back to Mountain Home. Jesse Donez hauled in the punt at the Tiger 29, and rambled 71 yards down the field, changing directions several times, and took it in for the touchdown. Chris Maholick's PAT made it 48-0, with 3:41 left in the half.

With Coach Floyd starting to sub, the Hawks were able to get an offensive drive going, and moved the ball down and scored with 33 seconds left in the half, Josh Sukeena taking it in from a yard out. It was 48-7 at halftime.

After forcing Skyview to punt on their first series of the second half, the Tigers started from their 49, and three plays later, Tallon Pauley took it 43 yards for a score. Chris Maholick booted the PAT to make it 55-7, with 8:58 left in the third quarter.

Skyview picked up a couple first downs on their next possession, but were forced to punt, the Tigers taking over on their own 28.

Jake Posey spread the offense out and passed down the sideline to an all-alone Nick Barrie for 78 yards and a score. Chris Maholick's PAT made it 62-7, with 4:57 left in the third quarter.

Skyview got their second score of the game late in the third quarter on a 30-yard pass from Josh Sukeena to Christian Gines.

They would get another score in the fourth quarter on a 23-yard run by Spencer Kindall. The final score was 62-20, Mountain Home.

"This was good to see," said Coach Floyd. "The kids did a great job, good blocking, scoring 28 first quarter points and up, 41-0, with over eight minutes still left in the first half, there's nothing wrong with that."

The Tigers rushed for 314 yards, led by Tallon Pauley with 156 yards and three scores on just six carries. Chris Knudson rushed eight times for 68 yards, Matt Ward carried six times for 40 yards and two scores, Ty Kleffner rushed six times for 23 yards, Matt San Nicolas rushed three times for 10 yards, John Deal carried three times for eight yards, Nick Barrie had one five-yard run, and Jake Posey rushed five times for four yards and a score. Posey only attempted two passes, and completed them both for touchdowns, racking up 104 yards through the air. Nick Barrie had a 72-yard touchdown reception, Matt Ward had one for 32 yards.

The Tigers improved to 4-2 overall, and 4-1 in conference play.

Nampa knocked off Bishop Kelly Friday night, 14-0, so Mountain Home, Bishop Kelly and Nampa are all 4-1 in conference play, with two conference games left.

Mountain Home is home against Emmett Friday night for Senior Night. Coach Floyd said his Tigers need to stay focused against the Huskies.

"They like to pass the ball. I think they're an underrated team. I think they're very physical, and it's kind of the same thing, you can't let them play with you. If you do, they're going to come back and beat you at the end. We have to come out and do a very good job with our pass coverage and getting pressure on their quarterback."

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., with the 16 seniors and their parents being honored prior to the start of the game.