The Golden Hawks (2-6 overall, 2-4 conference) were playing in memory of former head coach Jim Hynus, who passed away on Tuesday from cancer. Hynus was the team’s first head coach, leading the Hawks for four seasons, including a trip to the playoffs in 2009.

Zac Hynus, an offensive tackle, led the Golden Hawks onto the field prior to the game in honor of his father.

Holly Springs stayed true to Hynus’ motto of “Never Give Up”, falling behind 15-0 in the first quarter but outscoring the Bengals (8-1, 6-1) the rest of the contest. The Hawks used 15 and 22 play scoring drives to control the clock.

“Wins and losses are important, but playing hard and giving your best is more, and coach Hynus would be very proud of them tonight,” said Holly Springs head coach David Riggs. “We knew we had to control the ball on the ground and tonight our defense played hard, rugged football.”

The Bengals rushed for 337 yards, and capitalized on big runs by Carlton Brigdes (89-yard touchdown) and Ricky Fergerson (54-yard TD and 57-yard run) to score points. Fergerson’s 54-yard run with 2:28 left in the game sealed the win.

“Lots of our kids made plays when they had to make them tonight,” F-V head coach Ryan Habich said. “Holly Springs has been playing good football these last few weeks.”

Fuquay-Varina quarterback Evan McNeill tossed a 7-yard pass to Fergerson after the Hawks had cut a nine point Bengal halftime lead to just two early in the third.

Markez Davis led Holly Springs with 143 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and appeared to have tied the score 21-21 with 2:38 remaining on a two-point conversion, but the Hawks were called for an assisting the runner penalty which wiped out the play. F-V stopped the Hawks on the next try to retain the two-point advantage.