789th Ordanance difuses HHC 1-15: Offense, defense shine in 38-0 win

By John W. PeelerSeptember 19, 2013

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FORT BENNING, Ga., (Sept. 13, 2013) -- If the 789th Explosive Ordanance Disposal Company had a problem scoring prior to its face off against Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, it didn't show.

789th easily disposed of HHC 1-15 Sept. 11 at Essebagger Field, 38-0 for its first win of the season.

In the victory, the offense scored early and often and the defense kept the HHC 1-15 offense on its heels the entire game by contributing four sacks, two interceptions and recording one safety.

The 789th got off to a quick start, scoring on a six-play drive that culminated in 10-yard touchdown run by quarterback Greg Griffin to lead 6-0.

On the ensuing HHC 1-15 possession, HHC kept the ball for a penalty-marred eight-play drive that ended in a punt back to the 789th.

Three plays later, the 789th was in the end zone again, scoring on a 37-yard pass from Griffin to take a 12-0 lead.

With less than two minutes remaining in the half, HHC 1-15 put together a seven-play drive, but the 789th defense stiffened forcing an errant throw, which was picked off at the 1:14 mark.

Again, the 789th offense rose to the occasion, scoring in four plays on a 5-yard run.

With less than 33 second until the half, the defense created a turnover, intercepting an HHC 1-15 pass with 20 seconds until the half. Two plays later, the 789th scored its second touchdown in less than two minutes on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Griffin to put the 789th ahead 24-0.

In the second half, 789th added three more scores on a 10- and 40-yard Griffin pass and a safety and a 40-yard to round out the shutout.

Following the game, 789th coach Aubrey Pridgen admitted the team wasn't very confident going into the game, but that all changed after the first quarter.

"(We won) mainly because of teamwork," Pridgen said. "I think the first quarter gave us a lot of confidence. Last night, we had a pretty close game and we lost in the last few seconds, so this game we knew we actually had to get a 'w,' so we came out here and got the first score and it just kept on rolling."

Griffin said the team gained a lot of confidence from the first touchdown drive and it felt good to get that first win under their belts.

"We've had some struggles the last couple of games," Griffin said, adding the HHC 1-15 defense allowed him to take advantage of the alignment.

"Their cornerbacks were playing off of us and they never put anyone on our linemen, so we took our end lineman and used him like a tight end. So, we worked the short passing game all day."

Griffin, who will be gone for most of the season on temporary duty, scored the first touchdown and said it felt great.

"I just saw an opening and took it," he said. "I hope the team (continues) to do well. This is my last game, so they will have to find another quarterback. And I hope they have learned from the past two games."

Griffin said the offensive line, particularly, did a great job in not letting the HHC 1-15 defense pressure him.

"We've got a lot of big guys (on the line)," he said. "We've got this six-foot-six animal and he kind of paves the way for everything."

On defense, Pridgen said he was really proud of the defense, which allowed HHC 1-15 across midfield only one time during the game.

"I was really proud of the defense, we did one heck of a job on defense," he said. "We have made a vast improvement since our first and second games. It's really good to get that first win."