AURORA | A new era of football at Hinkley now includes a victory over Gateway.
The Thunderbirds broke a losing streak to the Aurora Public Schools rival Olys that stretched back an estimated 17 seasons with a cathartic 24-10 victory Friday night at APS Stadium.
There had been some close calls before — a seven-point loss in 2005, a 10-point defeat in 2009 and last season’s 28-12 contest — but Robert O’Brien got it done in his first season as head coach. Senior Ahonsi Ohimai accounted for all four touchdowns for Hinkley, three rushing and another on a 95-yard kickoff return, and the T’Birds’ defense allowed less than 100 yards of total offense to improve to 3-1 on the season.
Besides snapping the streak, Hinkley won its debut in the new South Metro League.
Coach Shane Ward’s Gateway (0-3, 0-1) team drew first blood when quarterback Rashaud Beauford corralled a bad snap, scrambled and hit wide receiver Keishawn Johnson over the middle for a 50-yard touchdown early in the first quarter, but Ohimai made the momentum temporary by fielding the ensuing kickoff and sprinting up the left sideline for a 95-yard score.
Ohimai capped a penalty-aided 80-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter and the T’Birds recovered an onside kick to get the ball back after a Gateway personal foul. Mandeep Singh caught a 46-yard bomb from Eman McNeal and Ohimai scored on the next play.
Felix Tshite, who had an earlier field goal attempt bounce off the uprights and out, made a 22-yard attempt in the third quarter to pull the Olys within 18-10, but Ohimai broke of a 30-yard touchdown run with two minutes remaining to seal the victory for Hinkley.
The Thunderbirds play Arapahoe at 1 p.m. Sept. 20 at Littleton Public Schools Stadium, while Gateway plays host to Smoky Hill at 6 p.m. Sept. 19 at APS Stadium.
Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor of the Aurora Sentinel. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. Facebook: Aurora Prep Sentinel. IG: Auroraprepsentinel
HINKLEY 24, GATEWAY 10
Score by quarters:
Gateway 7 0 3 0 —10
Hinkley 6 12 0 6 — 24
SCORING
First quarter
Gateway — Keishawn Johnson 50 yard pass from Rashaud Beauford (Felix Tshite kick), 9:04
Hinkley — Ahonsi Ohimai 95 yard kickoff return (kick failed), 8:47
Second quarter
Hinkley — Ohimai 1 yard run (run failed), 7:24
Hinkley — Ohiami 5 yard run (pass failed), 7:01
Third quarter
Gateway — Tshite 22 yard field goal, 4:18
Fourth quarter
Hinkley — Ohimai 30 yard run (kick failed), 2:18
RUSHING
Gateway: La’Brian Miller 15-13, Dequari Galloway 1-0, Mike Ware 1-(minus 3), Rashaud Beauford 22-(minus 27)
Hinkley: Ahonsi Ohimai 19-127, Eman McNeal 14-18, Reggie Ausler 3-14, Dante Richardson 1-4, Ben Davis 1-3
PASSING
Gateway: Beauford 7-19, 85 yards, 1 touchdown; Dylan Paulsen 0-1
Hinkley: McNeal 5-20, 76 yards, 2 interceptions; Davis 0-1
RECEIVING
Gateway: Johnson 5-84, Octavis Styles 1-1
Hinkley: Mandeep Singh 2-54, Richardson 1-14, Joshua Hanible 1-7, Gideon Greer 1-1
