Rockets derailed by mistakes at Caldwell

PRINCETON, Ky. – In a pivotal district game Friday, when Crittenden County needed to be at its best, a series of mistakes derailed the Rockets’ hopes for a win at Caldwell County and crushed their chances for a more favorable postseason seed.

In a game where Crittenden led three times, Caldwell County had the momentum late to secure a 36-27 Class 2A First District victory.

Rocket senior Kaiden Travis tries to stop
Caldwell County RB Kam Spikes

Three interceptions, a fumble, and critical penalties spelled doom for the Rockets as the Tigers (3-6) scored 20 fourth-quarter points en route to their only district win of the season. The Rockets (3-6) are winless in league play and will make their second trip of the fall to Owensboro Catholic on Nov. 8 for the opening round of the playoffs. The Aces, ranked as Class 2A’s No. 1 team, beat CCHS 51-0 earlier in the year. Caldwell will open the postseason at Fort Campbell.

For the second week in a row, junior Rocket receiver Caden Howard had an impressive, record-setting performance. His 13 catches for 143 yards tied a single-game school record for receptions. A week earlier, in a loss to district foe Mayfield, he set a new team record for career receptions.

“They ran the ball on us; we had a lot of trouble stopping them,” Rocket coach Gaige Courtney said. “They made plays when they had to, and we didn’t. We just made a ton of errors—turnovers and penalties.”

The Rockets fell behind for good early in the fourth quarter, 22-21, on a touchdown set up by Caldwell’s second of three interceptions. But Crittenden clawed its way back into contention with a touchdown pass from QB Quinn Summers to CamRon Belcher with 6:28 to play. Down by two, Crittenden needed a conversion to tie the game, but a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty on the touchdown put the Rockets in a tough spot from the Tigers’ 18-yard line. The infraction occurred when a Crittenden player from the sideline came onto the field to celebrate in the end zone. Crittenden’s ensuing conversion pass fell 5 yards short, and Caldwell went on to score later in the game for the final margin.

The Tigers, led by senior Kam Spikes with 112 rushing yards, found success on the ground in the second half. Caldwell rushed for 219 yards, with 185 of those coming in the last two quarters. Meanwhile, Crittenden’s running game was severely hampered when running back Brayden Mahnke left the field injured in the third quarter. The Rockets rushed for just 52 yards.

Caldwell’s sophomore lefty quarterback completed 13 of his 16 passes, while Summers was 25-for-37 for CCHS, which outgained Caldwell through the air 255 to 205.

The Rockets will close out the regular season next Friday at home against Calloway County. The playoffs begin the following week. 

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Crittenden Co. 7 0 14 6

Caldwell Co.        3 7 6 20

SCORING PLAYS

Cald-Sutton Ritchey 22 field goal, 7:18, 1st

Critt-Quinn Summers 7 run (Adri Berry kick) 3:21, 1st

Cald-Luke Maddox12 pass from Daelyn Landers (Ritchey kick) 6:11, 2nd

Critt-Brayden Mahnke 18 run (Berry kick) 11:27, 3rd

Cald-Kam Spikes 1 run (kick blocked) 7:41, 3rd

Critt-CamRon Belcher 3 pass from Summers (Berry kick) 4:54, 3rd

Cald-Cam Wilson 2 pass from Lander (pass failed) 10:40, 4th

Cald-Luke Parker 57 pass from Lander (Ritchey kick) 9:26, 4th

Critt-Belcher 22 pass from Summers (pass failed) 6:28, 4th

Cald-Spikes 5 run (Ritchey kick) 4:52, 4th

TEAM TOTALS

First Downs: Critt 15, Cald 20

Penalties: Critt 6-31, Cald 7-65

Rushing: Critt 17-52, Cald 42-219

Passing: Critt 25-38-3, 255; Cald 13-16-1, 205

Total Yards: Critt 307, Cald 424

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

Critt: Mahnke 9-32, Tyree McLean 2-11, Belcher 1-1, Summers 5-8. Cald: Spikes 20-112, Maddox 4-19, Wilson 10-86, Lander 8-2.

Passing

Critt: Summers 25-37-3-, 255; Howard 0-1-0. Cald: Lander 13-16-1, 205.

Receiving

Critt: Howard 13-143, Belcher 5-52, McLean 4-35, Dakota Sosh 2-17, Mahnke 1-8. Cald: Parker 4-96, Maddox 3-27, Wilson 3-14, Spikes 1-15, Gus Fox 2-53.

Defense 

CamRon Belcher 8 solos, 4 assists, TFL; Landon Curry 4 solos, 5 assists, TFL; Blake French 2 solos, 3 assists; Brayden Mahnke 6 solos, assist; Tyree McLean 7 solos, 2 assists, TFL; Kaiden Travis 2 solos, TFL; Carson Yates 3 solos; Braydin Brandsasse 2 solos, assist; Caden Howard 2 solos, assist, fumble recovery; Keegan Pierson solo, 2 assists, fumble recovery; Brayden Poindexter 7 solos, 7 assists, TFL, fumble recovery; Trae Taylor 4 solos; Noah Byford 5 solos, assist; Gaige Markham 5 solos; Trent Todd assist.

Players of the Game: Offense Caden Howard, Defensive Brayden Poindexter, Lineman Carson Yates, Special Teams Quinn Summers.

Records: Crittenden 3-6 (0-3), Caldwell 3-6 (1-2)

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Caldwell County Tigers

 BY: ANDY HUNT

2024 Caldwell County Record (2-6, 0-2)

• Week 1 – Hopkins County Central – WIN – 42-6
• Week 2 – Madisonville-North Hopkins – LOSS – 52-14
• Week 3 – Union County – LOSS – 42-14
• Week 4 – Graves County – LOSS – 46-21
• Week 5 – McCracken County – LOSS – 44-27
• Week 6 – Christian County – WIN – 37-6
• Week 7 – Mayfield – LOSS – 47-14
• Week 8 – Murray – LOSS – 35-18
• Week 9 – Crittenden County
• Week 10 – Trigg County

Crittenden County Single Game School Records Versus Caldwell County

• Passing Yards: 306, Hunter Boone, 2017
• Passing Completions: 25, Micah Newcom, 2023
• Passing Attempts: 37, Luke Crider, 2021
• Passing Touchdowns: 3 (twice),

Howard's record no help vs Mayfield

MARION, Ky. – In a 42-6 loss against Mayfield Friday when highlights were rare, Crittenden County’s biggest moment went unnoticed by most. 

While the event was nothing to change the complexion of the game, it had some personal value. It was worth a new entry in Crittenden County’s football record book. In the fourth period, junior Caden Howard inconspicuously became the team’s career receptions leader. He caught a shovel pass for an eight-yard gain to tie the six-year-old record previously held by Ethan Dossett, then broke it a couple of plays later on a middle screen for a five-yard gainer, giving him 128 receptions. SEE RECORD BOOK.

CCHS's defense gets a stop on this play
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Howard finished the game with 41 yards on a half dozen receptions, but his performance had no particular bearing on the outcome as Mayfield scored early and often. Runaway carries by junior Cardinal running back Josiah England laid a foundation for the Mayfield triumph. The Rocket defense was no match for his combination of speed and size as he rushed for  191 yards and three touchdown. 

Mayfield’s dominance was clear from the outset. England powered through Crittenden’s defense with an impressive combination of speed and strength, rushing for 191 yards and three touchdowns. England’s efforts set the tone for a Cardinal team that put the game out of reach by halftime.

Crittenden County's offense struggled to gain traction against Mayfield’s relentless defense. The Rockets were forced to punt six times in the first half and turned the ball over on downs twice. Their best opportunity to score came on their opening drive after recovering an onside kick, starting at Mayfield's 34-yard line. The Rockets pushed into the red zone but were ultimately stopped on fourth down at Mayfield’s four-yard line.

Quarterback Quinn Summers faced constant pressure from Mayfield's pass rush, taking four sacks in the first half alone. Though he completed 13 of 29 passes for 126 yards and one interception, Summers was unable to generate the offense needed to keep pace with the Cardinals.

The lone touchdown for Crittenden County came in the fourth quarter when Brayden Mahnke broke free for a 22-yard run. It was the senior back’s first career touchdown.

Crittenden’s defense, though forcing two fumbles, could not contain Mayfield’s potent attack. In addition to England’s standout performance, quarterback Gray Robbins was effective through the air, completing 9 of 12 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns, including a 23-yard strike to Malik Kirby.

One of the few other bright spots for Crittenden County was CamRon Belcher, who had six catches for 78 yards. In addition to his offensive contributions, Belcher recovered that onside kick to start the game and recorded an interception in the first half, showing his versatility on both sides of the ball.

Despite Mayfield's two fumbles, their offensive efficiency and physical play on defense ensured the game was never in doubt. The Cardinals controlled the pace, and a running clock was initiated just before halftime.

Crittenden County will have to regroup in order to prepare for its final district game of the season next week at Caldwell County. The Rocket loss to Mayfield, their second district loss of the season, will mean a road game for CCHS to start the playoffs in a few weeks. Mayfield will play Murray High next week for the district’s regular-season title. Caldwell lost 35-18 to Murray on Friday. See this week's KHSAA Scoreboard.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Mayfield 14 21 7 0

CCHS 0 0 0 6

SCORING PLAYS

M-Josiah England 12 run (Owen Byrd kick) 5:23, 1st

M-England 49 run (Byrd kick) 3:07, 1st

M-Malik Kirby 23 pass from Gray Robbins (Byrd kick) 9:00, 2nd

M-England 48 run (Byrd kick) 1:29, 2nd

M-Kirby 6 pass from Robbins (Byrd kick) :33, 2nd

M-Reggie Dowell 22 run (Byrd kick) 1:00, 3rd

C-Brayden Mahnke 22 run (bad snap) 7:37, 4th

TEAM TOTALS

First Downs: CCHS 8, MHS 11

Penalties: CCHS 7-65, MHS 7-65

Rushing: CCHS 17-50, MHS 20-251

Passing: CCHS 17-33-1, 147, MHS 9-13-1, 140

Total Yards: CCHS 197, MHS 391

Fumbles/Lost: CCHS 1-0, MHS 2-2

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

CCHS: Mahnke 7-49, Gaige Markham 2-(-1), Quinn Summers 7-(-8), Conner Poindexter 1-10. MHS: England 12-191, Dowell 4-45, Aubrey Sherrill 1-16, Jace Houston 2-(-9), Robbins 1-8.

Passing

CCHS: Quinn Summers 13-29-1, 126; Conner Poindexter 4-4-0, 21. MHS: Robbins 9-12-1, 140; Jace Houston 0-1-0.

Receiving

CCHS: CamRon Belcher 6-78, Caden Howard 6-41, Tyree McLean 3-13, Brayden Poindexter 1-0, Dakota Sosh 1-15. MHS: Mak Hoover 4-84, Kirby 3-41, Sherrill 1-5, Caden Morris 1-10.

Defense

CamRon Belcher 3 solos, 3 assists, fumble recovery, interception; Blake French 2 los; Brayden Mahnke solo, 2 assists; Tyree McLean 2 solos, 2 assists; Kaiden Travis 3 solos, assist; Braydin Brandsasse 2 solos, fumble recovery; Caden Howard solo, 2 assists; Keegan Pierson 2 solos, caused fumble; Brayden Poindexter 3 solos, assist; Dakota Sosh assist; Trae Taylor 2 assists; Noah Byford 2 solos, fumble recovery; Gaige Markham 3 solos, assist.

Records: CCHS 3-5 (0-2), Mayfield 5-2 (2-0)

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Full Body Fitness Studio Serena Dickerson trainer 

YTG Insurance, Tanner Tabor agent

Frazer Law, Bart Frazer, Jonathan James Wes Hunt

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Livingston Hospital | Deaconess

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Deer Lakes Golf Course

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Mayfield Cardinals

 BY: ANDY HUNT

   ROCKET RECORDS ARE BEGINNING TO FALL

 

The highly productive passing season of Quinn Summers is already placing him near the top of some passing records.  Find out which season stat he is about to tie Rocket all-time great quarterback, Hunter Boone (pictured above at left).  Also, take a look at Caden Howard's movement in

Rockets get first shutout in 38 games

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County returned to the familiar surroundings of Rocket Stadium Friday and put on a stunning display, dominating Ohio County with a resounding 49-0 victory. It marked the Rockets' first shutout in 38 games, a streak that dates back to 2021.

Belcher gets loose for a TD
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The Rocket defense was relentless, leaving winless Ohio County unable to establish any rhythm on offense. In a dominant first half, CCHS held the Eagles to a staggering minus-48 yards rushing. The Eagles managed only two completed passes, both resulting in lost yardage.

On the offensive side, junior quarterback Quinn Summers showcased his precision, completing 13 of 16 passes for 253 yards and five touchdowns. Crittenden County scored on every possession in the first half, except for one fumbled punt return by senior CamRon Belcher—his first fumble in high school. Belcher quickly redeemed himself, catching two touchdown passes and leading the Rockets with five receptions for 96 yards.

Junior Caden Howard also had a notable game, securing two touchdown passes and moving closer to the team's career record for touchdown catches. He now sits just one shy of the 25-touchdown mark set by Preston Morgeson, and Howard is only six catches away from breaking the Rocket receptions record, having tallied three catches against the Eagles.

Leading 35-0 early in the second half following Belcher’s second touchdown and operating under a running clock for the rest of the game, CCHS unloaded its bench, which preserved the shutout and tacked on 14 more points. Reserve quarterback Conner Poindexter connected with freshman receiver Eli Lovell for a 36-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, marking a highlight for the young duo.

Kaiden Travis has a bead on the Eagle QB
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In a bid to avoid the shutout, Ohio County made a late push into the red zone, but their efforts were thwarted by a fumble. Rocket sophomore Davis Perryman scooped up the loose ball and returned it 85 yards for a touchdown.

Crittenden's defense was stunning against the Eagles, recording three sacks and throwing Ohio County's offense for a loss on more than half of its plays.

In a dominant defensive effort, several players stepped up with standout performances. Defensive end Kaiden Travis led the charge with an impressive six solo tackles, two assists, three tackles for loss (TFLs), and a sack, constantly pressuring the offense. Linebacker Brayden Poindexter also made his presence felt with three solo tackles, two TFLs, and a fumble recovery. Freshman Eli Lovell added four solos, an assist and a sack, while Gaige Markham and Trent Todd each contributed sacks of their own. Landon Curry forced a fumble to go with his two solos and two assists. 

After struggling on the road with three losses in their last four games, the Rockets look to regain momentum as they prepare to host Class 2A’s No. 4 Mayfield next week for homecoming.

Ranked in the top 10 just two weeks ago, Crittenden County faced tough competition, including road losses to No. 1 Owensboro Catholic and No. 5 Murray over the previous two weeks. CCHS was 14th in this week's 2A poll.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Ohio County 0 0 0 0

Crittenden 13 14 15 7

SCORING PLAYS

C-Caden Howard 19 pass from Quinn Summers (Adri Berry kick) 6:26, 1st

C-Dakota Sosh 13 pass from Summers (Berry kick failed) 1:57, 1st

C-Howard 35 pass from Summers (Berry kick) 9:35, 2nd

C-CamRon Belcher 19 pass from Summers (Berry kick) :54, 2nd

C-Belcher 45 pass from Summers (Howard pass from Summers) 11:06, 3rd

C-Eli Lovell 36 pass from Conner Poindexter (Berry kick) 8:12, 3rd

C-Davis Perryman 84 fumble return (Mitchell Brown kick) 5:00, 4th

TEAM TOTALS

First Downs: CCHS 9, OCHS 6

Penalties: CCHS 8-75, OCHS 10-90

Rushing: CCHS 8-34, OCHS 28-46

Passing: CCHS 15-20-1, 315; OCHS 3-5-0, (-4).

Total Yards: CCHS 349, OCHS 42

Fumbles/Lost: CCHS 2-1, OCHS 2-2

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

CCHS: Brayden Mahnke 2-22, Gaige Markham 2-11, Conner Poindexter 1-(-5), Michael Porter 1-(-2), Summers 2-8. OCHS: Lucas Kramer 1-1, Carson Powers 1-(-3), Cam Evans 10-56, Eli Warren 8-45, Ayden Farris 7-(-48), Luke Barton 1-(-5).

Passing

CCHS: Summers 13-16-0, 253; Poindexter 2-4-1, 62. OCHS: Farris 3-5-0, (-4).

Receiving 

CCHS: Belcher 5-96, Howard 3-57, Tyree McLean 2-44, Sosh 2-33, Mahnke 1-23, Lovell 1-36, Trae Taylor 1-26.

Defense

Landon Curry 2 solos, 2 assists, caused fumble, TFL; Blake French assist; Seth Henry 2 solos, TFL; Brayden Mahnke 2 solos, 2 assists, 2 TFLs; Michael Porter 2 solos, assist; Kaiden Travis 6 solos, 2 assists, 3 TFLs, sack; Carson Yates 2 solos, assist; Caden Howard assist; Colton McLean solo; Brayden Poindexter 3 solos, 2 TFLs, fumble recovery; Trae Taylor solo, TFL; Gaige Markham 2 solos, assist, sack; Aiden Musser 2 solos, 3 assists; Logan Nolan solo, assist; Davis Perryman assist; Trent Todd solo, sack; Caden Blazina 3 solos, assists, 2 TFLs; Hunter Curnel 2 solos; Eli Lovell 4 solos, assist, sack; Davis Perryman assist. 

Players of the Game:Defense Kaiden Travis, Lineman Kaiden Travis, Offense Quinn Summers, Special Teams Michael Porter.

Records: CCHS 3-4, OHCS 0-8