Renfro Puts Quartz Hill Away, 20-12

Hart High had surely heard about Quartz Hill’s defense. In four games, the Rebels had given up just 12 points in four victories.

But Quartz Hill had never seen the likes of Hart quarterback Darren Renfro.

Renfro, the Valley area’s leading passer going into Friday night’s game at College of the Canyons, threw for 260 yards, completing 21 of 30 passes, as Hart defeated Quartz Hill, 20-12.

Second-half touchdown passes from Renfro to Darrin Kellaris and Brian Allen rallied Hart from a 12-7 halftime deficit.

Hart scored on its opening drive of the second half after Kevin Keough returned the kickoff 27 yards to the Indians’ 42-yard line.

Renfro guided the offense to the end zone on eight plays, culminating the drive with a 10-yard toss to Kellaris, who beat Quartz Hill defensive backs Greg Sacks and Willie Cooper in the end zone for a 13-12 Hart lead.

It was the Indians’ defense, not the Rebels’, that turned the game around in the second half. Hart consistently turned away threats, holding Quartz Hill to 109 yards after intermission. Quarterback Marty Washington was intercepted twice, including a theft by Allen with just under two minutes left in the game to seal the win.

It was Allen--on offense--who gave Hart breathing room. On a third-and-8 play from the Quartz Hill 35, Allen hauled in Renfro’s pass over the middle and dragged several defenders into the end zone. Jim Harper’s conversion kick gave Hart its 20-12 lead, and its fourth win in five games. Quartz Hill, ranked No. 7 in the Coastal Conference, is also 4-1. Hart is ranked No. 4 in The Times’ Valley poll.

Greg Albaugh led Quartz Hill to its halftime lead. Albaugh, who plays quarterback and slotback, passed seven yards to running back Ronnie Coleman for a touchdown with 1:37 left in the first quarter to bring the Rebels to within 7-6. Hart’s Elliott Graeber blocked the attempted conversion kick.

After forcing Hart to punt on the next series, Washington, the second-string quarterback, drove the Rebels 88 yards in seven plays. Albaugh picked up the final nine yards on a run from his position at right slotback.

Earlier in the drive, Albaugh ran for an apparent 73-yard touchdown, but the play was nullified by a clipping penalty at the Indians’ 28-yard line.

Hart scored on its first possession of the game, marching 65 yards in nine plays. Renfro’s screen pass to Craig Whitten accounted for the final 20 yards.

Quartz Hill’s defense thwarted several Hart drives, but it was the Indians’ 45 yards in penalties in the first half that hurt most. Hart finished with 95 yards in penalties.