Ballard bombs Rockets 40-7

The Rocket defense gang tackles Ballard's Alek Hugen.

LaCENTER, KY. – The former whipping boy of First District lashed out at the struggling Rockets Friday, sending a clear message with a 40-7 Ballard Memorial win and establishing the Bombers as the third best team in far western Kentucky's Class 2A.

Ballard piled up 426 total yards en route to its second biggest margin of victory over Crittenden County in the series history.

The game was close early and the Rockets even led 7-6 in the second period after using a trademark, clock-grinding drive that ended with Lane Wallace scoring and Micah Hollamon kicking the extra point.

The Bombers responded, however, with 34 unanswered points. A balanced run-pass attack led by Bomber quarterback Trevor Langston was far too potent for a Crittenden defense that has now given up 137 points over the last three games. Ballard running back Alek Hugen ran for 131 yards and Langston threw for 215.

Meanwhile, the Rocket offense has posted just one touchdown over that 12-quarter stretch with starting quarterback Travis Gilbert out of the lineup. Gilbert, who tore a ligament in his knee in a one-point loss to Muhlenberg County, is out for the season. Meanwhile, Crittenden continues to search for a new offensive identity.

With new quarterback Noah Dickerson struggling to throw the ball, Crittenden took a look at sophomore Nick Castiller behind center. He completed his only pass – to Dickerson – and ran for 26 yards, including a crucial fourth-down run that came up just a yard short. Crittenden was still in the game at that point, trailing by 14.

Lane Wallace rushed for over 100 yards for
the fifth time this season.

Wallace, back after missing a game and half with an ankle injury, rushed for 102 yards in the first half. He was held to just five the second half.

The loss almost certainly ensures Crittenden a first-round playoff matchup against Owensboro Catholic, a team the Rockets lost to 58-0 in the post-season opener a year ago. Crittenden has played the private Owensboro school three times in its history and those games hold the dubious honor of being among the worst defeats ever. 

Owensboro Catholic beat Union County Friday to virtually sew up the Second District Class A title. Ballard will likely play at Union in the first round of the playoffs.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Crittenden County     0    7    0    0

Ballard Memorial       6   22   6   6

SCORING PLAYS

BM-Andrew Burton 14 run (kick failed) 5:40, 1st

CC-Lane Wallace 1 run (Micah Hollamon kick) 11:16, 2nd

BM-Alek Hugen run (Zack McAfee pass from Trevor Langston) 10:46, 2nd

BM-Devoun Bledsoe 43 pass from Langston (Austin Summers kick) 4:19, 2nd

BM-McAfee 32 pass from Langston (Summers kick) :24, 2nd

BM-Burton 14 run (kick failed) 4:47, 3rd

BM-Langston 6 run (kick failed) 6:00, 4th

TEAM TOTALS

Nick Castiller runs toward an opening.

First Downs: Crittenden 11, Ballard 13

Penalties: Crittenden 2-20, Ballard 5-35

Rushing: Crittenden 42-156, Ballard 30-211

Passing: Crittenden 2-11-1, 17 yds., Ballard 10-16-0, 215 yds.

Total Yards: Crittenden 173, Ballard 426

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS 

Rushing

Crittenden: Wallace 22-107, Brenden Phillips 9-34, Nick Castiller 4-26, Dylan Hollis 1-4, Noah Dickerson 5-(-1), Alex Cosby 1-(-14). Ballard: Hugen 17-131, Burton 4-34, Ethan Dunning 4-16, Langston 3-23, Justin Polivick 1-6, Tyrell Byass.

Passing

Crittenden: Dickerson 1-10-1, 5 yds., Castiller 1-1-0, 12 yds. Ballard: Langston 10-16-0, 215 yds.

Receiving

Crittenden: Dickerson 1-12, Daniel Wagoner 1-5. Ballard: Dunning 4-67, Hugen 2-30, McAfee 2-43, Wesley Boulton 1-32, Bledsoe 1-43.
Defense
Caraway solo; Phillips 3 solos, 4 assists; Tinsley 2 solos, 4 assists; Wagoner 3 solos, 2 assists, TFL; Dickerson 4 solos; Wallace solo, assist, blocked kick; Birdwell 3 assists; Castiller 2 solos, 3 assists; Cosby solo; Fitzgerald solo, 3 assists, caused fumble, TFL; Hollis 6 solos, 5 assists; A.McKinney assist; T.McKinney 3 assists.
Players of the Game: Defense Dylan Hollis, Offense Lane Wallace, Lineman Daniel Wagoner.

Records: Crittenden 3-5 (0-2), Ballard 6-2 (1-2).