Overby’s 52-Yard Run Paces Sunny Hills’ Victory Over Loara

With one quick burst up the middle, Sunny Hills High School running back Kenny Overby ended four weeks of frustration Thursday night at Spaulding Field.

Overby raced 52 yards for a touchdown on an inside trap with 5 minutes 3 seconds remaining in the game to break a tie and Sunny Hills went on to a 21-7 victory over Loara. Both teams are 2-2.

Overby had the luxury of running behind one of the county’s best offensive lines as a junior last season but he has found the pathways clogged with a new group of linemen in 1990. He finished with a season-high 125 yards in 22 carries against a strong Loara defense. He later praised his blockers.

“It’s just going to take some time,” Overby said. “I thought our line did a good job of opening up some holes. It was the best game the line has played this season. They’re good, they’re just young.”

Another youngster, quarterback Hakiem McKenzie, also showed some promise in the victory. McKenzie completed five of nine pass attempts for 117 yards and a touchdown in the first half. McKenzie completed consecutive 32-yard pass plays, his second connecting with wide receiver Stephen Choe for Sunny Hills’ first touchdown in the first quarter.

Loara relied primarily on the running of tailback Luiji Gagow to generate its offense. Gagow gained 97 yards in 23 carries as the Saxons rushed for 144 yards. But Loara’s inability to produce a passing attack, in addition to four turnovers, spelled its second defeat in four games.

Quarterback Charles Gipson threw three interceptions and Gagow had the ball stripped at his own 40-yard line by Sunny Hills’ defensive end Jeff Hicks that teammate Clayton Lau turned into a 40-yard touchdown run.

Bobby Sunderland, Joey Montgomery and Choe each had an interception, and afterward, Sunny Hills Coach Tim Devaney praised his defense and the emergence of Overby and McKenzie.

“Our defense played great again,” Devaney said. “That was a good team we beat tonight. I’m very pleased. I think McKenzie is starting to come into his own and assuming the job of leadership.

“Kenny has been frustrated this year and has a tendency to get down. I was glad to see him get that long run. He can do that at any time.”

Loara (2-2) had limited three previous opponents to only 23 points, but the Saxons’ tendency to self-destruct offensively was the difference.

Loara’s only touchdown was set up by Shawn Easter’s 35-yard punt return in the third quarter. Easter was starting his first game after gaining his eligibility this week. Easter is a transfer from Servite.

Gipson, a converted wide receiver, completed nine of 20 pass attempts for 86 yards and had 34 yards rushing in 11 carries. Loara has a final nonleague tuneup against El Modena next week, while Sunny Hills meets Esperanza.