Photo by Max Gallagher

By Ryan Moxon — Whatever spark the Huskies left in the locker room to start the game, they found it at halftime, scoring 14 points in the first 1 minute, 16 seconds of the third quarter to extend their lead to 27 points en route to a 50-14 victory over Palisades on Friday night in the second round of the NCHSAA 8A playoffs.

Hough survived a slow start on both sides of the ball.

Palisades opened the scoring on its first defensive series after recovering a fumble on an Ethan Royal sack and returning it 32 yards for a touchdown. It was the first touchdown the Huskies allowed since Sept. 11 and the first time they trailed in a game since Sept. 4 against Providence Day.

Hough responded near the end of the first quarter with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Royal to Christian Coleman, but a missed conversion left the Huskies trailing 7-6.

Palisades answered minutes later with a 1-yard rushing touchdown to take a 14-6 lead, the largest deficit Hough has faced all season.

The Huskies responded with two quick scores. Royal ran for a 20-yard touchdown, diving just inside the pylon, before Jamarion Morrison added a short-yardage rushing touchdown to give Hough a 20-14 lead.

Hough’s defense, which has been dominant all season, came to life in the second quarter. A Charlie Puckett fumble recovery at midfield set up a 19-yard touchdown pass from Royal to Jahmere Anderson, who hauled in the pass in the back left corner of the end zone.

The Huskies, who won the coin toss and elected to defer, opened the second half with a 74-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Josh Dobson.

After another Puckett fumble recovery at midfield on Palisades’ next possession, Royal threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Josh Autry to extend Hough’s lead to 41-14.

Cole Johnson added a 31-yard field goal, and Ryan Peterson returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown to complete the scoring.

Hough will host West Forsyth, which defeated Myers Park 49-22, at home next Friday in the third round.