PREP FOOTBALL: Hawthorne shuts out Branford in first round of Rural playoffs again

Branford quarterback Trent Land gets his facemask pulled by a Hawthorne defender during Friday night’s Class Rural quarterfinal. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)
Branford quarterback Trent Land gets his facemask pulled by a Hawthorne defender during Friday night’s Class Rural quarterfinal. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

HAWTHORNE — Three runs and a Hawthorne penalty gave Branford a first down to open the Class Rural playoff opener.

Then Trent Land found TC Smith streaking wide open behind the Hornets’ defense for 47 y…