Photo by Max Gallagher

By Ryan Moxon — Hough clinched the 8A Greater Charlotte Conference title on Senior Night with a 35-0 victory over Myers Park at home Friday. Hough quarterback Ethan Royal led the way with five touchdown passes.

The Huskies defense, which has not allowed a point in five consecutive games, forced a three-and-out on Myers Park’s opening drive. Sincere Day returned the ensuing punt 54 yards for a score, but it was called back because of an illegal block.

On the first play of the drive, Royal threw a 35-yard pass to Jahmere Anderson to give Hough a 7-0 lead.

The defense forced another three-and-out, and four plays later, Royal connected with Anderson on a 12-yard pass to extend the lead to 14-0.

Myers Park missed a field goal to start the second quarter, and the Huskies responded with a 62-yard reception by Anderson to make it 21-0.

Hough’s defensive line dominated throughout the night against a Mavericks rushing attack that had put up solid numbers all season.

Late in the first half, Myers Park found some success moving the ball in short-yardage bursts before Davion Jones made a crushing tackle in the backfield for a 10-yard loss, forcing a punt. Hough capitalized on its next possession with a perfect ball from Royal and a one-handed catch by Josh Autry in the corner of the end zone to make it 28-0.

The Huskies added another score before halftime on a pass from Royal to Mason Pearsall-Brown, taking a 35-0 lead.

Hough head coach DeShawn Watson praised Royal’s performance after the game.

“He played lights out,” he said.”Offensive line gave him time and he delivered. He took what the defense gave him and he made some great throws.”

Hough had a score called back on a penalty in the opening drive of the second half, but neither team scored on a running clock, giving the Huskies another shutout victory.

Since opening the season with a 15-10 win over Northwestern, the top-ranked team in South Carolina, Hough has outscored its opponents 357-23.

Hough travels to Hopewell (5-3) next week for its final regular-season game.