Sep 27, 2008
With Middle Creek looming large on the schedule next week, Apex made sure not to stumble in what could have been a trap game against winless Athens Drive on Friday.
The Cougars didn’t.
Despite running back Kevin Fogg’s absence, the Cougars scored 35 straight points after Athens struck first and cruised to a 35-21 win.
Stepping up in Fogg’s absence was Rob Conolty. Conolty brought in a smash-mouth style of running and banged his way in for three touchdowns on the night.
“I was just trying to do my best backing him up; he’s a great back,” Conolty said. “I was working really hard in practice because there was some talk about him not being able to start, so I knew what I had to do and my offensive line got it done.”
Apex coach Bob Wolfe said Fogg could have played if necessary and that Fogg even asked to play. But the decision to hold Fogg out was made earlier in the week with hopes of finally healing the nagging ankle injury that has plagued him this year.
“He hurt it in the Broughton game and then in the Leesville and Millbrook games he [played] but he was still just limping a little bit,” Wolfe said. “So we decided early this week we’re just going to get him well because we need him down the run.”
The win sets up next week’s Middle Creek-Apex contest as one that could very well be for the Tri-Eight championship. Both teams are undefeated in conference play and both had good showings against some of the stronger teams in the area.
“It feels great, next weekend we’ve got to come out strong. I think it’s their homecoming,” Conolty said. “We’ve just got to get it done.”
Athens Drive quarterback Ben Snotherly showed well in his first start, delivering two touchdown passes of 10 and 61 yards going to Phillip Barren each time, and also picking up yards with his legs on busted plays.
Ben’s older brother and incumbent starter Ross Snotherly went down last week with a rib injury and was forced to miss the game along with two other Jaguar starters.
Apex quarterback Houston Hawley threw for 199 yards on 17-of-26 passing and also scored on a quarterback sneak.
Hawley had his tight end, Rob Fronk, open when he needed him to be. Fronk caught nine passes for just as many first downs, totaling 123 yards.
Hawley-to-Fronk was the go-to combination on tough down situations, converting a second and 14, fourth and 6, fourth and 9 and third and 2.
“Rob’s really developing into a great player. I know people are going to try to jam him and do everything else to him now, but he’s worked really hard to get to where he is and Houston is comfortable throwing to him,” Wolfe said.
After dropping the last two games, Apex (3-2) moves to a game above .500 in time for its match-up with Middle Creek (2-3).
“We struggled against Leesville and did better against Millbrook, so we needed a good game where we clicked on all cylinders,” Wolfe said. “[A conference win] is important, but [clicking] is just as important.”
Hitting “on all cylinders” will be imperative when the Cougars play against Middle Creek, a school it has never beaten since Middle Creek first played varsity football in 2003.
“I just think we’ve got to first of all be more consistent and not have little mistakes that cost us on a drive or not getting the first down or defensively giving up a play that gives them the first down. There were several times tonight we had them and then we just couldn’t make the tackle,” Wolfe said. “We’ve got to be more consistent doing that and then play old Apex football where we’re physical, we’re enthusiastic, we’re hopping around the field, we’re playing with confidence and I think we’ve made some good steps in that direction this week.”
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