 |
| QB Travis Gilbert (14) asks for a block during Friday's win. |
REIDLAND, Ky. – Crittenden County's offense rolled up 320 total yards en route to nauseating Reidland's final homecoming 37-0 Friday, but it was the the defensive effort that had the Rocket coaching staff dancing.
How about minus-14 net rushing yards for the 'Hounds?
The Rocket waltz didn't stop there.
Three interceptions and three forced fumbles went down well with only two first downs for the hosts. Rocket defensive end Devin Clark batted down two passes and had a tackle for loss – all in the first quarter. Tackle Stephon Cozart sacked the quarterback, and tackle-turned-nose-guard for this game Eli Bebout was alarmingly disruptive to the Reidland game plan. Bobby Knox recovered two fumbles, Ryan McDowell got a fumble and Travis Gilbert, Noah Dickerson and Nick Castiller each picked off passes.
Yes, indeed, it was a homecoming game to remember. Unfortunately for the Greyhounds – playing their final regular-season contest ever against the Rockets because McCracken County consolidation is on the horizon – it was like a slow dance with your sister. Not too fun.
It had to be down right disheartening for the Class 2A First District foe which staged a grand celebration before and after the game, honoring those who helped write Reidland football history. Ironically, one of those – Bernie Behrendt – is closely connected to Rocket football. He was honored before kickoff. Behrendt started the Greyhound football program in 1969. He was also the first Rocket head coach following consolidation of Marion High and Crittenden County in 1957.
Once the game got going, Crittenden's football favors were much more dazzling than those for whom the party had been thrown. Reidland fumbled on its first snap – a trick play that went poorly as the Greyhounds tried to pull off an end-around. From there, it got worse. A parade of miscues gave Crittenden great field position and in most cases, the Rockets capitalized. But they missed some chances, too.
 |
| Rocket defenders Daniel Wagoner (21) and Devin Clark (54) sandwich a blocker as a running back looks for space. |
Despite Reidland's first-half follies, Crittenden managed just 16 points. Rocket drives stalled at the Greyhounds' 38, 21 and 18. The one inside the 20 marked the first time this season Crittenden failed to score after moving into the red zone.
"We had some opportunities early to put it away and let them stay in the ball game," Rocket coach Al Starnes said. "But we did a good job the second half of sustaining drives and controlling the clock."
Crittenden scored on three of four possessions in the second half. It missed a long field goal on the other series. Kicker Micah Hollamon made a 33-yard field goal in the first half – the fourth longest in school history – and he also tied the Rocket record for most consecutive extra-point kicks (14), but missed his next one.
Tailback Grant Gardner, back after missing a game with a hip injury, rushed for 117 yards. It was his fourth straight 100-plus-yard endeavor this season.
The victory almost ensures Crittenden a spot in the playoffs. It was both teams' first district matchup of the season. The Rockets play at Class 5A Marshall County next week before getting back to district play against Murray, Ballard Memorial and Caldwell County in consecutive weeks.
 |
| Dustin Roberts (10) forces a fumble that led to a Reidland turnover. |
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Crittenden 10 6 14 7
Reidland 0 0 0 0
SCORING PLAYS
CC-Micah Hollamon 33 field goal 9:37, 1st
CC-Grant Gardner 24 run (Hollamon kick) 7:15, 1st
CC-Brenden Phillips 2 run (kick failed) 3:07, 2nd
CC-Gardner 1 run (Hollamon kick) 10:18, 3rd
CC-Josh Gaston 12 pass from Travis Gilbert (Hollamon kick) 3:42, 3rd
CC-Zach Tinsley 6 run (Sakari Kalpio kick) :37, 4th
TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: Crittenden 17, Reidland 2
Penalties: Crittenden 3-30, Reidland 3-15
Rushing: Crittenden 49-235, Reidland 21-(-14)
Passing: Crittenden 8-15-0, 85 yds., Reidland 4-12-3, 65 yds.
Team Totals: Crittenden 320, Reidland 51
Fumbles/Lost: Crittenden 3-1, Reidland 3-3
INDIVIDUAL TOTALS
Rushing
Crittenden-Gardner 15-117, Clint Asbridge 1-(-1), Phillips 8-30, Devin Hopper 1-4, Dylan Hollis 2-8, Tinsley 15-58, Jacob Young 4-6, Gilbert 1-5, Noah Dickerson 1-(-1), Lane Wallace 1-9. Reidland-Auston Ringstaff 6-(-7), Tanner Fiser 3-(-3), Jerren Brokaw 2-(-3), Cody McClinotock 8-4, Brandon Fatum 2-(-5).
Passing
Crittenden-Gilbert 8-15-0, 85 yds. Reidland-Alex Almon 1-3-1, 38 yds., Fatum 3-9-2, 27 yds.
Receiving
Crittenden-Knox 2-49, Gaston 2-14, Dickerson 1-6, Gardner 3-15. Reidland-Ringstaff 1-38, McClinotock 2-5, Brokaw 1-22.
Defense
Asbridge solo; Bebout 2 solos, 5 assists; Clark 4 solos, 2 assists, 2 TFL, 2 batted passes; Cozart 6 solos, 2 assists, TFL, sack; Gardner solo; Gaston solo; Knight 2 solos, TFL, fumble recovery; Knox 3 solos, 4 assists, TFL, 2 fumble recoveries; McDowell solo, assist, TFL, fumble recovery; Stowe solo; Gilbert assist, interception; Phillips solo, 2 assists; Roberts solo; Tinsley solo; Wagoner solo, assist, TFL; Dickerson solo, assist, interception; Wallace 4 solos; Young solo, 2 assists; Castiller interception.
Pizza Hut Players of the Game
Defense Stephon Cozart; Offense Grant Garder; Special Teams Micah Hollamon and Zac Knight; Lineman Devin Clark.
Defense
Asbridge solo; Bebout 2 solos, 5 assists; Clark 4 solos, 2 assists, 2 TFL, 2 batted passes; Cozart 6 solos, 2 assists, TFL, sack; Gardner solo; Gaston solo; Knight 2 solos, TFL, fumble recovery; Knox 3 solos, 4 assists, TFL, 2 fumble recoveries; McDowell solo, assist, TFL, fumble recovery; Stowe solo; Gilbert assist, interception; Phillips solo, 2 assists; Roberts solo; Tinsley solo; Wagoner solo, assist, TFL; Dickerson solo, assist, interception; Wallace 4 solos; Young solo, 2 assists; Castiller interception.
Pizza Hut Players of the Game
Defense Stephon Cozart; Offense Grant Garder; Special Teams Micah Hollamon and Zac Knight; Lineman Devin Clark.
Records: Crittenden 3-2 (1-0), Reidland 3-3 (0-1)
