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Hicks explodes for 276 yards, Pinkerton rolls past Londonderry

Friday, September, 22 By David Willis
Staff writer

DERRY — Ty Hicks was sure to be stopped for a loss, with a defender in his face just as he took the handoff.

One juke later, however, that opponent dove and ended up only with air.

Hicks then turned on the jets to run past two more defenders, and added one more nifty move to duck away from one final opponent before picking up a block and breaking free for an 83 score.
“I just remember adrenaline,” said Hicks. “My blood was pumping. Breaking a run like that feels amazing. You feel like you’re in the clear and like a gasser (sprint), you just have to give it everything you’ve got. It was so much fun.”
Hicks had plenty to be excited about after his record day.
The senior ran for a stunning 276 yards and three touchdowns on just 12 carries as Pinkerton rolled over previously-unbeaten archrival Londonderry 35-7 in front of an estimated 6,000 screaming fans gathered for the annual Mack Plaque contest.
“It was the best game of my life,” said Hicks. “It’s probably going to be the best game of my career. But hopefully there are better to come. I was shocked. I was just trying to win. I was just trying to lead the guys. I couldn’t believe the (statistics).”
The win a major one for the Astros (3-1). Londonderry (3-1), entered the game as the No. 8-ranked team in the state, while the Astros were No. 9. The Lancers’ lone score came in the final two minutes.
“I thought we played an amazing game as a team,” said lineman Robert Fahey. “We played a rough game against Salem last week, so we wanted to come back and prove we had what it takes. And Ty was amazing. He is quick, elusive, strong. He can do it all. He was flying.”
Hicks averaged a whopping 23.0 yards per carry, breaking touchdown runs of 73, 83 and 33 yards.
It was a breakout night for Hicks, who rushed for 493 yards and six touchdowns all of his junior season. He entered Friday with 160 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries for 2017.
The 5-foot-5, 170 pounder only carried three times in the second half, heading to the bench midway through the third quarter with the Astros firmly in control.
“Ty always has that in him,” said Astros coach Brian O’Reilly. “Ty is our best running back when he has his game together, and he always has the potential for a big game. He had some big holes, and when he got into the secondary he’s very tough to take down. He has some moves, and he doesn’t slow down to make his moves.”
With Hicks was leading the way, the Pinkerton rushing was dominant. The Astros piled up 456 yards on the ground, and all five scores.
The Hicks brothers alone accounted for 334 of those yards.
Ty’s twin brother Terrell, a gritty 5-foot-5, 190-pound fullback, added a touchdown of his own to go with 58 yards on just nine carries. Gannon Fast had the other Astro score, to go with 54 yards.
Kayden Baillargeon intercepted a pass and Tyler Mackiernan recovered a fumble to set up Pinkerton scores.
“I was nervous going into this game and I wanted to go out and show we are better than people thought,” said Ty Hicks. “This win means a lot. It is always a big deal to beat Londonderry. I think it send a message.”