Mooney’s three touchdown catches, Davis’ big plays lift Hamburg

Hamburg 41, Watson Chapel 6

HAMBURG — Charles Mooney caught three touchdown passes and Brett Davis blocked a punt and recovered a fumble in the end zone as Hamburg pulled away from Watson Chapel 41-6 Friday night at Campbell Field.

The Lions led 14-6 at halftime before scoring 27 unanswered points in the third quarter. Kaeden Thomas threw three touchdown passes after taking over at quarterback in the second quarter, and Dereon Brown intercepted two passes. Hamburg improved to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in 8-4A play; Watson Chapel fell to 0-5 and 0-2.

Jade Canley started at quarterback and directed Hamburg’s opening scoring drive. His 15-yard scramble moved the Lions into Watson Chapel territory, and Jay’shon Goodwin converted fourth-and-three with a 12-yard run. After a sack pushed Hamburg back to third-and-goal from the 21, Canley escaped pressure, stepped forward and found Mooney for the touchdown. Luke Barley’s extra point made it 7-0 with 6:40 remaining in the first quarter.

Watson Chapel kept the game close through most of the first half. Its defense forced Hamburg to punt after the Lions reached midfield in the second quarter, and Jayden Moody turned the Wildcats’ next play into a 71-yard touchdown reception. The two-point pass fell incomplete, leaving Hamburg ahead 7-6.

Thomas answered with a scoring drive that began at midfield. Colt Tubbs’ 16-yard reception moved the ball to the 34, Goodwin supplied another first down and Alijah Richardson added a nine-yard run. Thomas then found Mooney near the goal line, and Mooney stretched into the end zone. The successful kick gave Hamburg its eight-point halftime advantage. Brown intercepted a pass on Watson Chapel’s ensuing possession.

Davis helped change the game immediately after halftime. He got a hand on Watson Chapel’s quick kick, giving Hamburg possession at the Wildcats’ 25. Thomas found Mooney inside the 5, and Richardson finished the short drive with a two-yard touchdown run. Barley’s kick made it 21-6 with 9:08 left in the third quarter.

Hamburg recovered a fumble on Watson Chapel’s next possession. Mooney converted third-and-nine with an 18-yard reception, Richardson broke tackles on another first-down run and Thomas found Mooney in the back of the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown. The extra point was unsuccessful, leaving the score 27-6.

The Lions forced a punt and struck again. Tubbs caught Thomas’ pass inside the 30, and Canley hauled in the next throw for a touchdown. The extra point extended Hamburg’s lead to 34-6 with 4:26 remaining in the third quarter.

Brown made his second interception before Watson Chapel intercepted Thomas in the end zone. The Wildcats could not capitalize: penalties backed them toward their goal line, a high snap sailed into the end zone and Davis recovered for a touchdown. The ensuing kick made it 41-6 and brought on the running clock.

Cooper McNemar intercepted a fourth-quarter pass to end Watson Chapel’s final possession. Barley then took the closing snap and knelt to finish Hamburg’s homecoming victory.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Hamburg — Charles Mooney 21-yard touchdown pass from Jade Canley (Luke Barley kick). Hamburg 7, Watson Chapel 0. 6:40.

2nd Quarter

Watson Chapel — Jayden Moody 71-yard touchdown reception (two-point pass incomplete). Hamburg 7, Watson Chapel 6.

Hamburg — Charles Mooney touchdown pass from Kaeden Thomas (kick good). Hamburg 14, Watson Chapel 6.

3rd Quarter

Hamburg — Alijah Richardson two-yard touchdown run (Luke Barley kick). Hamburg 21, Watson Chapel 6. 9:08.

Hamburg — Charles Mooney 15-yard touchdown pass from Kaeden Thomas (kick unsuccessful). Hamburg 27, Watson Chapel 6.

Hamburg — Jade Canley touchdown pass from Kaeden Thomas (kick good). Hamburg 34, Watson Chapel 6. 4:26.

Hamburg — Brett Davis fumble recovery in the end zone (kick good). Hamburg 41, Watson Chapel 6.

Players Who Stood Out

Charles Mooney, Hamburg — Caught three touchdown passes, one from Jade Canley and two from Kaeden Thomas. Had five catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns at halftime, according to the broadcast’s unofficial statistics. Added an 18-yard third-down conversion and the reception that set up Richardson’s touchdown.

Brett Davis, Hamburg — Blocked Watson Chapel’s third-quarter quick kick to set up a touchdown and later recovered a high snap in the end zone for another score.

Kaeden Thomas, Hamburg — Threw three touchdown passes after entering at quarterback in the second quarter. The broadcast credited him with 9-of-13 passing for 92 yards and one touchdown in the first half.

Jade Canley, Hamburg — Threw the opening 21-yard touchdown to Mooney and caught a third-quarter touchdown from Thomas. Added a 15-yard scramble on the opening drive.

Dereon Brown, Hamburg — Intercepted passes late in the second quarter and during the third quarter.

Alijah Richardson, Hamburg — Scored on a two-yard run, added a nine-yard run on Hamburg’s second touchdown drive and broke tackles for a first down during the next scoring drive. Had 10 carries for 40 yards at halftime, per the broadcast.

Colt Tubbs, Hamburg — Caught a 16-yard pass on the late second-quarter touchdown drive and made the catch inside the 30 that preceded Canley’s third-quarter score.

Jayden Moody, Watson Chapel — Credited by the live scoring call with the 71-yard touchdown reception that cut Hamburg’s lead to 7-6.

Cooper McNemar, Hamburg — Intercepted Watson Chapel’s final pass before the Lions knelt out the game.