West Point running back Lakenderic Thomas plunges near the endzone during the Green Wave's 37-7 win over Hernando Friday night.  West Point will host the first round of the playoffs this Friday night.  

By Kenneth Mister/Daily Times Leader

West Point needed only one half of play to down Hernando 37-7 on Friday night.  

West Point used 34 first half points and an outstanding defense effort to put the game away early.  

After the team's exchanged punts to begin the game, West Point gave it to their heavy-duty running backs to get the job done.  And they did just that.  An 8-play, 53 yard drive was capped off with a one-yard scoring plunge by senior Xavier Hogan.  Kwame Williams, who had one of his best kicking night's of the season, converted the extra point.  

Afterward, West Point kept the pressure on Hernando quarterback Martin Walsh (5-of-16, 50 yards).  Walsh was only 1-of-6 for six yards in the first quarter.  

Early in the second quarter, the Green Wave would score one of their four second quarter touchdowns.  A Justin Cox three-yard scamper capped off a 14-yard drive to give the Green Wave a 14-0  lead.  

West Point, however, was far from done.  

After a Curtis Viges sack and a Jaquille White blocked punt, West Point found themselves again in Tigers territory.  

West Point junior running back Jacoby Lee found the endzone for the fifth time this season when he ran in a 8-yard scamper.  Williams then converted his third extra point of the game to make it 21-0.  

Instead of easing up and coasting to the victory, West Point kept their heels on the Tigers back.  

After a Hernando punt, West Point put the ball in the hands of quarterback Justin Cox.  

West Point wanted to get one more score before the half.  With the help of Cox's arm, however, they scored twice before intermission

West Point's first drive began on their on 8-yard-line with two minutes left in the first half.  Cox launched a 44-yard strike to Michael Carr.  After a 10-yard pass to Hogan, Cox put it in the air again - this time to senior Jeremy Evans for 34 yards.  Carr finished the drive off on a four-yard halfback toss.   

Carr, still, was not done.  

After three incomplete passes by Hernando and a bad snap on the punt, West Point found themselves in scoring position once again.  On the first play from scrimmage, Cox found a streaking Carr for a 23-yard scoring strike.  

With the score 34-0 at the half, West Point removed their starters and coasted to the win.
Despite the huge victory, Carr said he and is teammates are still hungry.  
“If we keep working hard, we’ll make it there,” he said.  
The win marks the Green Wave’s tenth consecutive victory and the end of the regular season.  Now, they most likely will be hosting Canton in the first round of the playoffs.  
West Point head coach Chris Chambless said he is unfamiliar with Canton because of their motto:  “One game at a time.”
“I haven’t seen them on film and I haven’t heard anything about them yet,” Chambliss said.  “But I know they have a good running back.”
Green Wave quarterback Cox had one of his best passing night’s of the season by throwing for 111 yards and a touchdown.  
Cox is improving steadily, Chambless said.
“Justin gets better each week,” he said.  “He does everything that’s asked of him.  And that’s all you ask of a young guy who has never played quarterback before.  He’s a real good leader for us and does a good job.”
West Point held Hernando to 128 total yards, with most coming late in the fourth quarter.  
Virges gave Hernando lineman headaches all night while sacking the quarterback three times.