Hendersonville Standard
HENDERSONVILLE WEATHER

Commandos shut out Gallatin in playoff meeting





Hendersonville Head Coach James Beasley shares a moment with Noah Carmean after Friday night’s victory over Gallatin.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville Head Coach James Beasley shares a moment with Noah Carmean after Friday night’s victory over Gallatin.Brett Berwager

Bucs vs. Commandos Part II up next

HENDERSONVILLE — Friday marked the fourth time old-rivals Hendersonville and Gallatin met in the playoffs since 2000, and Friday marked the fourth win for the Commandos as they walk into the third round following a 28-0 win on Paul Decker Field.

Friday night wasn’t perfect for Hendersonville, but it didn’t need to be.

The Commandos gashed the Green Wave with big plays to spring them into the quarterfinals as Torin Baker and Ellis Ellis both made splash plays in the first half.

With 2:58 left in the first quarter and the ball on their 42, Hendersonville drew up a quick screen to Torin Baker, who started left before weaving through traffic on his way down the sidelines before diving into the end zone for six and the lead.

Baker put the black and gold on top 14-0 on the next drive when he raced 18 yards around right end — the play was set up by an 83 yard run from Ellis.

“We knew coming into this game the first result against them didn’t matter,” Hendersonville head coach James Beasley said of the urgency from his team. “We will enjoy this one tonight; it’s a big win, a county game, at home, found a way to win — tonight is a special thing for our players.”

Hendersonville’s Ellis Ellis sprints away from Gallatin defenders for a first down run.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Ellis Ellis sprints away from Gallatin defenders for a first down run.Brett Berwager

The Commandos added a Jack Busey touchdown in the second quarter and looked to have another to Jameson Wharton in the corner of the end zone, but a called interception gave Gallatin the ball and thwarted any Commando opportunity.

The interception marked the third turnover of the game for Hendersonville, losing two fumbles earlier in the half.

“The character of our team kept us in this tonight,” Beasley said. “We know the deeper you get into the playoffs, the more adversity you see, and so I just think their love for each other, their buy in allowed us to make enough plays to get the win.”

Stevin Mack added the games’ final touchdown with 54 seconds left in the third quarter on a short one-yard plunge; the play was set up by a Noah Carmean interception and return.

Hendersonville’s Noah Carmean and Anthony Christian bring down Gallatin’s Za’Kyian Brinkley during the Commandos 28-0 victory Friday night.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Noah Carmean and Anthony Christian bring down Gallatin’s Za’Kyian Brinkley during the Commandos 28-0 victory Friday night.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville earns the right to host cross-town rival Beech in the Class 6A Quarterfinal Round with the win.

Friday’s contest will mark the second time these two teams have met this season, with the first contest going Hendersonville’s way on September 3, 28-10.

“We will begin working on Beech tomorrow (Saturday) and try to come up with a game plan to slow them down,” Beasley said. “They are well-prepared, well-coached, have good players, so we will try to find a way to limit their guys while also trying to put ourselves in a position to try and make big plays.

The loss ends Gallatin’s season at 5-6 overall. The Green Wave mustered only 120 yards of total offense Friday night.

“They did a good job of stopping our run,” Gallatin head coach Chad Watson said. “They were physical up front, and I think they are built to be a fourth round team.”

Hendersonville’s Torin Baker runs with the football on his way to the endzone for a touchdown against Gallatin.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Torin Baker runs with the football on his way to the endzone for a touchdown against Gallatin.Brett Berwager

The Hendersonville cheerleaders celebrate a touchdown against Gallatin Friday night.Brett Berwager

The Hendersonville cheerleaders celebrate a touchdown against Gallatin Friday night.Brett Berwager

Gallatin runs to the line of scrimmage to run an offensive play after breaking the huddle as Hendersonville players line up to defend.Brett Berwager

Gallatin runs to the line of scrimmage to run an offensive play after breaking the huddle as Hendersonville players line up to defend.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Ellis Ellis attempts to stiff arm and break the tackle of Gallatin’s Luke Cook.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Ellis Ellis attempts to stiff arm and break the tackle of Gallatin’s Luke Cook.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Torin Baker breaks free from Gallatin defenders for a touchdown Friday night.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Torin Baker breaks free from Gallatin defenders for a touchdown Friday night.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Torin Baker is lifted up by his teammate Kyle Duvall after scoring a touchdown.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Torin Baker is lifted up by his teammate Kyle Duvall after scoring a touchdown.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Noah Carmean fights for extra yardage as Gallatin’s Isaiah Bell attempts to make the tackle.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Noah Carmean fights for extra yardage as Gallatin’s Isaiah Bell attempts to make the tackle.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Ellis Ellis fights for extra yardage as he collides with Gallatin's Luke Cook.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Ellis Ellis fights for extra yardage as he collides with Gallatin’s Luke Cook.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Ellis Ellis reacts after losing his helmet on a tough run near the goal line.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Ellis Ellis reacts after losing his helmet on a tough run near the goal line.Brett Berwager

Gallatin's Jaheim Merriweather attempts to turn the corner for extra yardage against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Gallatin’s Jaheim Merriweather attempts to turn the corner for extra yardage against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Gallatin's Dee Sullivan is brought down in the backfield by Jack Brown and Jaden Thorton.Brett Berwager

Gallatin’s Dee Sullivan is brought down in the backfield by Jack Brown and Jaden Thorton.Brett Berwager

Gallatin punter Tristan Wilson is tackled by Hendersonville defenders after recovering a high snap on a punt attempt and running with the football.Brett Berwager

Gallatin punter Tristan Wilson is tackled by Hendersonville defenders after recovering a high snap on a punt attempt and running with the football.Brett Berwager

Gallatin's Adreanne Barksdale breaks up a pass intended for Hendersonville's Torin Baker.Brett Berwager

Gallatin’s Adreanne Barksdale breaks up a pass intended for Hendersonville’s Torin Baker.Brett Berwager

Gallatin's Ben Brentise intercepts a pass intended for Hendersonville's Jameson Wharton.Brett Berwager

Gallatin’s Ben Brentise intercepts a pass intended for Hendersonville’s Jameson Wharton.Brett Berwager

Gallatin senior Jacob Sanders shares a moment after Friday night's defeat to Hendersonville ending the Green Wave's season.Brett Berwager

Gallatin senior Jacob Sanders shares a moment after Friday night’s defeat to Hendersonville ending the Green Wave’s season.Brett Berwager

The Gallatin High School Marching Band performs during halftime of Friday night's playoff game at Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

The Gallatin High School Marching Band performs during halftime of Friday night’s playoff game at Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Gallatin quarterback Luke Cook prepares to attempt a pass against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Gallatin quarterback Luke Cook prepares to attempt a pass against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Gallatin's Caden Cardoza helps up his teammate Luke Cook.Brett Berwager

Gallatin’s Caden Cardoza helps up his teammate Luke Cook.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Stevin Mack stiff arms Gallatin’s Ben Brentise as he fights for extra yardage.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Stevin Mack stiff arms Gallatin’s Ben Brentise as he fights for extra yardage.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Stevin Mack attempts to sack Gallatin quarterback Luke Cook.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Stevin Mack attempts to sack Gallatin quarterback Luke Cook.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville quarterback Luke Manning prepares to make a pass against Gallatin.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville quarterback Luke Manning prepares to make a pass against Gallatin.Brett Berwager

Gallatin quarterback Luke Cook pitches the ball Jaheim Merriweather as he's hit by Hendersonville's Carson Gregory.Brett Berwager

Gallatin quarterback Luke Cook pitches the ball Jaheim Merriweather as he’s hit by Hendersonville’s Carson Gregory.Brett Berwager

Gallatin's Za'Kyian Brinkley is met by a swarm of Commando defenders.Brett Berwager

Gallatin’s Za’Kyian Brinkley is met by a swarm of Commando defenders.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Blayze Hargrove makes the tackle on Gallatin's Luke Cook.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Blayze Hargrove makes the tackle on Gallatin’s Luke Cook.Brett Berwager

Gallatin and Hendersonville players say a prayer together at mid-field after Friday night's playoff game.Brett Berwager

Gallatin and Hendersonville players say a prayer together at mid-field after Friday night’s playoff game.Brett Berwager

Gallatin's Jacob Sanders, left, and Ben Ricaue embrace each other after Friday night's playoff lose at Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Gallatin’s Jacob Sanders, left, and Ben Ricaue embrace each other after Friday night’s playoff lose at Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Gallatin's Charlie Burford attempts to bring down Hendersonville quarterback Luke Manning.Brett Berwager

Gallatin’s Charlie Burford attempts to bring down Hendersonville quarterback Luke Manning.Brett Berwager

Gallatin's Daniel Phillips celebrates a missed field goal by Hendersonville in the first quarter.Brett Berwager

Gallatin’s Daniel Phillips celebrates a missed field goal by Hendersonville in the first quarter.Brett Berwager

Gallatin's Jaheim Merriweather looks for running room against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Gallatin’s Jaheim Merriweather looks for running room against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Gallatin's Jaheim Merriweather looks to turn the corner against the Commando defense.Brett Berwager

Gallatin’s Jaheim Merriweather looks to turn the corner against the Commando defense.Brett Berwager

The Green Wave faithful pack the vistor bleachers at Hendersonville High School for Friday night's playoff game.Brett Berwager

The Green Wave faithful pack the vistor bleachers at Hendersonville High School for Friday night’s playoff game.Brett Berwager

Gallatin's James Carter attempts to break the tackle of Hendersonville's Jaden Thorton.Brett Berwager

Gallatin’s James Carter attempts to break the tackle of Hendersonville’s Jaden Thorton.Brett Berwager

The Hendersonville High School Cheerleaders celebrate together after the Commandos 28-0 victory over Gallatin.Brett Berwager

The Hendersonville High School Cheerleaders celebrate together after the Commandos 28-0 victory over Gallatin.Brett Berwager

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