HEARNE -- The Hearne Eagles had a former wideout playing quarterback, a sophomore filling in for a team captain at running back and a defense that gave up a 93-yard touchdown return on the opening kickoff.

With all that, it's hard to believe that Hearne could have dominated their matchup against New Waverly on Friday night, but that's exactly what they did in a 22-13 victory at Wood Field.

New Waverly's Donnie Woods scored on the kickoff return to start the game and a 55-yard screen pass in the closing seconds of the first half, but Hearne's defense allowed just 100 yards outside those two plays. Led by Sexton Curry, Hearne (1-1) forced five fumbles and recovered three of them.

"We've always been tough [on defense]," Hearne coach Ralph Lymas said. "I've been a defensive coach and player all my life. Defense is something I preach first, but offensively, we need to keep plugging away.

"We beat a good football team. They're not a Mickey Mouse team. Those kids have been very successful and done a great job."

Hearne tried to establish the running game early with senior Kenneth Jones, but a bone bruise he suffered during 7-on-7 drills this summer continued to hamper his play. Jones played until halftime, sharing carries with Curry, but he was replaced by JeMarcus Johnson and didn't play in the second half.

"I was really proud of J.J.," Lymas said. "The young sophomore stepped in and took over for Kenneth running-wise and did a great job.

"My biggest thing now is getting Kenneth well. I just love his attitude as team captain. He said, 'Coach, I can't go in on offense and let someone else pick up the slack for me.'"

Johnson finished with eight carries for 70 yards, all of which came in the second half. The sophomore also caught three passes for 61 yards and led the team in all-purpose yards with 131.

Quarterback Clifton Potts got the Eagles on the board in the first quarter, finishing a 11-play drive with a 1-yard plunge into the end zone. Hearne missed the PAT and trailed by a point.

Hearne took the lead for good about 90 seconds later when Cody Rosprim tackled New Waverly running back Glen Hogle in the end zone for a safety.

Potts scored Hearne's next two touchdowns and ran in a third from 3 yards out with just under 3 minutes left in the first half to put Hearne up 15-7.

After Woods' long touchdown brought the Bulldogs within two points as the first half expired, Potts threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Deterrius Franklin to start the third quarter. Potts finished 7 of 16 for 139 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.

"I take my hat off to Clifton," Lymas said. "He was a wide receiver last year. Stepping in and being a quarterback is not easy. He's used to catching the ball and now has to distribute the ball out there. He stepped up and said, 'Coach, I can do it for you.'"

Hearne will play Shepherd next week at Huntsville's Bowers Stadium.