Flags Fly but Hart Rolls On

The highly anticipated landing of the space shuttle Discovery at nearby Edwards Air Force Base rocked the small desert community of Quartz Hill earlier this week.

But it was the Hart High football team that made all of the noise Friday night.

That and the sound of officials’ whistles.

The Indians survived 4 pass-interference calls and 100 yards in penalties to defeat Quartz Hill, 29-13, in a nonleague game.

“When you go on the road, sometimes that’s going to happen,” Hart Coach Dave Carson said of the penalties. “As long as they’re fair for both sides, I don’t care.”

Hart (3-2) was flagged 10 times and the Rebels (3-2) were cited 7 times for 40 yards.

Hart led, 15-7, at intermission, but Jamie Carroll scored his second touchdown on a 12-yard run to put the Indians ahead, 22-7, with 4:09 left in the third quarter.

Quartz Hill cut the lead to 22-13 late in the third period, but a 44-yard interception return for a touchdown by Brian Allen in the fourth period sealed the victory.

Allen had 2 interceptions and caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Rob Westervelt.

“I was impressed with Brian Allen more than any other player on the field. He was awesome,” Carson said.

Westervelt completed 19 of 37 for 258 yards and a touchdown.

Allen had 5 catches for 58 yards, and teammate John DePaco hauled in 4 for 87 yards.

Hart finished with 331 total yards. Quartz Hill had 225.

The Rebels took the opening kickoff and marched 80 yards for a touchdown. Marty Washington went the final 2 yards on a quarterback sneak and Chad Watters’ kick gave Quartz Hill a 7-0 lead.

Hart replied on its first possession, scoring on Scott Etheridge’s 39-yard field goal to make the score 7-3 with 5:56 left in the first period.

Etheridge was wide on a 40-yard field-goal attempt on Hart’s next series, but the Indians took the lead in the second quarter on Carroll’s 4-yard touchdown run. Etheridge’s extra-point attempt was blocked.

Hart scored again just before intermission when Westervelt passed 10 yards to Allen for a score. Etheridge’s kick flew wide, but the Indians led, 15-7, with 33 seconds left in the quarter.