Douglas comeback falls short versus Hug

MINDEN — Hug scored two touchdowns and came up with three defensive stops in the red zone Friday night during the first half and then the undefeated Hawks held on for a 20-14 victory against Douglas.

Douglas (1-3) rallied from a 14-0 halftime deficit and took Hug (4-0) down to the wire in the non-league game at Keith Roman Field.

Sam Melhus shook loose for a 66-yard touchdown run on the opening play from scrimmage in the third quarter and Nick Abreu scored on an 87-yard kick return at the end of the period as the Tigers pulled to within 20-14.

Melhus returned the second half kickoff 20 yards to the 34 and then took a handoff on a sweep left and cut back behind a Cale Kynett block on his way to the 66-yard touchdown run. Melhus rushed for 102 yards on two carries in the game.

Treci Blanton scored from 1 yards out on a fourth-and-goal play to push Hug’s lead to 20-7 with 18.6 seconds left in the third quarter. Abreu took the ensuing kickoff all the way for a touchdown to put the Tigers back within reach.

Hug took the game’s opening kickoff and drove 48 yards on eight plays, capped by Roosevelt Calhoun’s 1-yard run. Quarterback Dekembe Montgomery scored on a 57-yard run in the second quarter to give the Hawks a 14-0 lead.

Even though Douglas had the ball in Hug territory on each of its first half possessions — including three possessions in the red zone — the Tigers were unable to score. One of those opportunities ended when Trey Williams intercepted a pass in the end zone.