Aces defensive linemen Salvador Avalos and Mason Commisso bring down the McComb ball carrier, Jake Crouse.
The Hicksville Aces football team wrapped up a very successful season on Saturday night as the Aces were blanked by a senior-laden McComb squad 42-0 in the Division VII playoffs at Defiance High School.
The Aces, who play many freshmen and sophomores, were just no match for a Panther squad that had both playoff experience and was a senior dominated-team.
The loss brought an end to the season for Hicksville, which closes the year with a record of 8-4. However, it also started a new beginning for many freshmen and sophomores who gained valuable playing time this year.
McComb’s combination of both speed and strength overwhelmed the Aces, who were limited to 90 yards in total offense. Hicksville garnered only 25 rushing yards in the game on 20 carries. Meanwhile, the Panthers totaled 329 rushing yards and 472 yards of total offense while also garnering 25 first downs. The Aces had five first downs in the game.
Meanwhile, the Panthers rolled up 472 yards of offense with 329 coming via the ground game in controlling the time of possession as well (32:07 for McComb, 15:53 for Hicksville).
The Panthers opened the scoring, using a ten play drive (nine runs) to find the end zone on a five-yard touchdown run by Kheagan Lowe to make it 7-0.
McComb struck again in the second quarter, getting a four-yard plunge from Caden Schroeder to widen the margin to 14-0.
The Panthers’ biggest score of the night, though, came late in the first half.
Caden Schroeder then was on the receiving end of a 20-yard scoring strike from Malachi Abbott to push the lead to 21-0 at the intermission.
McComb then sealed the victory early in the third quarter when Jake Crouse caught a 31-yard scoring strike from Abbott, extending the margin to 28-0.
The Panthers wrapped up the scoring from there, getting a 62-yard run by Abbott to extend the lead to 35-0 before Cory Swisher found the end zone from three-yards out, making it 42-0.
Abbott led the Panthers with 121 yards on 11 carries while also completing seven of nine passes for 143 yards. Crouse and Swisher added 64 and 63 yards, respectively, on the ground.
McComb will now battle Crestview on Saturday for a Division VII regional championship.
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