By Maurice Singleton/Sports Writer

BAY ST. LOUIS — Hancock (1-4) scored touchdowns on each of their first four possessions while holding the Bay High Tigers (0-5) to a single first half score on their way to a 48-6 route on homecoming night in Bay St. Louis on Friday.

Three of the touchdowns came in the first quarter as Majia Talley capped the Hawks’ first possession with a 46-yard carry on the game’s fourth snap from scrimmage. Then after the Hawks’ defense held the Tigers to 2 yards and a punt on their ensuing possession, senior quarterback Kaison Koenenn capped a four-snap drive with a 39-yard keeper to put the Hawks up 14-0 with just over a minute of time elapsed in the first quarter.

The Hawks’ defense denied the Tigers a first down on their next possession. And Keonenn once again rewarded the defense with a four-play drive, this time connecting with senior receiver Myles Mack for a 59-yard pass play to put the Hawks up 21-0 with 3:20 left on the first quarter clock.

And those first quarter scorers silenced the roars of the Tigers, while expanding the wingspan of the Hawks, as the lead proved insurmountable for the Tigers.

“That’s the biggest thing, get that win before we go into district play,” said Hawks coach David King. Obviously, that’s going to build some confidence. Hopefully, we can build off of this and feel good about ourselves going into week one of district play.”

King said that despite the Hawks starting off winless in their first four games, his team has remained upbeat and positive. “They’re bouncing around at practice and having a good time. We wanted to create an environment to where it wasn’t drudgery, even though we were behind with our record. I think they’re going to start to trust what we’re telling them to stay the course, and there is a reward with doing that.”

The Tigers earned two first downs on their third possession of the game, but the Hawks would deny the Bay going for it on fourth down, forcing a five-yard loss on a screen pass to give the Hawks excellent field position at their own 46-yard line.

The Hawks would put together another 4-play scoring drive with Koenenn connecting with Coleton Hopgood on a screen pass for a 22-yard score with just over eight minutes to play in the second quarter.

Bay High would get their only score of the night on their fourth possession as sophomore quarterback Que Victor connected with senior receiver Landen Evans for a 26-yard scoring toss with just over two and a half minutes left on the second quarter clock. The PAT kick was blocked.

The Hawks drove the field on their ensuing possession, but Bay’s sophomore safety Tru Haynes intercepted Koenenn at the goal line as second-quarter clock expired.

The Hawks would put up three second half scores as Keonenn scored on a 15-yard keeper with 8:00 showing on the third quarter clock.

The Hawks held the Tigers to a net of 3 yards on their ensuing possession, and on fourth down Wyatt Coleman blocked the punt into the end zone and landed on it for another Hawks touchdown. The PAT was blocked, and the Hawks led 41-6.

Junior quarterback Justin Wedgeworth connected with junior receiver Aspen Farve from nine yards out for the Hawks final score.

Koenenn led the Hawks with 153 rushing yards on ten carries and two touchdowns. He also completed eight of ten passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns as well and an interception.

On the other side of the ball, Bay was held to five first downs.

“They compacted the box and we weren’t able to be as creative as we wanted to be,” said Bay High coach Katlan French. “We didn’t do a great job adjusting. We did spring some runs together here and there. Hopefully by next week we will be more relevant. We are starting to put some offense together. We’re going to keep working to build on that. They kind of outmatched us everywhere tonight.”

Both teams begin district play next week as Hancock hosts Pearl River Central, and Bay High travels to Moss Point.