Ballard Memorial scored the only touchdown of the game with 10 minutes remaining, upsetting the Rockets and likely capturing third place in the district.
The Rockets got two field goals from kicker Micah Hollamon, but never breached the end zone in a defensive struggle. Crittenden's offense has been almost dormant the past three games as the Rockets have failed to score a touchdown.
Crittenden’s first scoring opportunity came early in first quarter after a botched Ballard punt resulted in the Rockets getting the ball at the Bombers' eight-yard line. Crittenden settled for its first field goal and the lead held until the fourth period.
Starting quarterback Travis Gilbert was sacked five times and ended the game with minus 70 yards. Gilbert was helped off the field early in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury and backup Noah Dickerson took over under center the rest of the way.
Trailing by only one point in the waning seconds of the game, Crittenden got the ball back. However, a desperation pass with 11 seconds left was intercepted as time ran out.
The Rocket offense had several chances to end the touchdown drought against the Bombers. Three times they moved into the red zone, but came away with just six points. The Rockets were 5-for-13 on third-down conversions, and 3-for-6 on fourth-down tries.
Ballards only scoring threat was on its touchdown drive early in the final period. Otherwise, Crittenden kept the Bombers at bay.
It was Ballard's defense that eventually prevailed, but penalties also cost the Rocket offense dearly on several occasions.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Ballard Memorial 0 0 0 7
Crittenden County 3 0 3 0
SCORING PLAYS
C-Holloman 24 yard field goal 9:21, 1st
C- Holloman 29 yard field goal 5:41, 3rd
B-Mason Weir 5 yard run (Summers kick) 10:23, 4th
TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: Crittenden 12, Ballard 8
Penalties: Crittenden 6-41, Ballard 4-20
Rushing: Crittenden 39-76 (146 total, Gilbert -70 yards), Ballard 28-145
Passing: Crittenden 11-21-1, 99 yds., Ballard 6-12-0, 59 yds.
Fumbles: Crittenden 2-1, Ballard 2-1
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Crittenden: Grant Gardner 21-107, Brenden Phllips 6-23, Noah Dickerson 1-8, Bobby Knox 1-5, Clint Asbridge 1-3, Travis Gilbert 7-(-70). Ballard: Mason Weir 16-96, Alek Hugen 7-43, Ethan Dunning 2-19, Trevor Langston 3-(-13).
Passing
Crittenden: Gilbert 9-16-0, 75 yds., Dickerson 2-5-1, 21 yds. Ballard: Lee Chandler 3-5-0, 35 yds., Langston 3-7-0, 25 yds.
Receiving
Crittenden: Knox 4-58, Gardner 2-19, Asbridge 2-18, Phillips 1-8, Josh Gaston 1-0, Dickerson 1-(-4). Ballard: Ethan Dunning 3-21, Jaybo Sadler 1-23, Andrew Burton 1-8, Team, 1-8.
Defense
Asbridge 3 solos; Bebout 2 solos, 5 assists; Clark 3 solos, 4 assists, fumble recovery; Dunkerson assist; Gardner solo, assist; Gaston assist; Knight assist; Knox 10 solos, 2 assists, TFL, sack; McDowell 4 solos, 3 assists; Overfield 2 solos, 3 assists; Gilbert solo, assist; Phillips 4 solos, 2 assists, TFL; Roberts solo, assist; Tinsley assist; Wagoner 2 assists; Dickerson 3 solos.
Pizza Hut Players of the Game
Offense Gardner, Defense Knox, Special Teams Hollamon.
