Big-play offense helps Wildcats to victory

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HAMMOND -- The nitty-gritty stretch of Hammond High's schedule is looming.

But every week since opening the season with an unpleasant blemish, the Wildcats (3-1) have stood up to all foes who came calling.

On Friday night, it was young and hungry Roosevelt.

And it was a big-play offense that exploded in the first half to send Robert Robinson's Wildcats to a 39-6 victory.

"From how this team felt after our loss to East Chicago -- just take a look at them now," Robinson said of his team's morale as he pointed to a muddy group standing at midfield.

Sophomore quarterback Antwion McGee completed just 4 of 9 first-half attempts for 221 yards and touchdowns of 23, 69, 35 and 77 yards.

"All week our staff worked really hard with our kids on the passing game, and wouldn't you know it, the weather did not cooperate," Robinson said.

"But for a sophomore, I thought McGee showed outstanding poise in the pocket."

While the Wildcats enjoyed consistent outbursts, it was the Panthers who found more trouble battling the soggy and slippery conditions, which resulted in three lost fumbles in the opening half.

Daron Houston was the recipient of two of McGee's long TD strikes in under a two-minute frame, while Mark Stokes also hauled in a 77-yarder just before halftime.

"We're getting better every week. but I think we'll see just how much we've improved because soon we have Morton and Lowell coming up," Robinson said.

If there was one negative that concerned the coach, it was the nine penalties his team was flagged for.

Keenan Davis put the Panthers (0-4) on the board with a 4-yard TD catch from Lorenzo Anderson in the waning seconds of the game.