Rockets pummel Hopkins Central 61-6

MARION, Ky. – On senior night it was clearly a showcase for the elder statesmen in the Rocket lineup, particularly Mr. Six Devon Nesbitt who shattered more scoring records and quarterback Hunter Boone who got his groove back and threw for 217 yards en route to a 61-6 drumming of Hopkins Central.

Rocket QB Hunter Boone threw for
217 yards and 3 TDs in the win.

Nesbitt, who has almost rewritten the entire record book with his gaudy touchdown totals, was just as showy in his final regular-season game at Rocket Stadium. The senior all-purpose back rushed for 142 yards (all in the first half) and caught three passes for 34 yards. Amid the glitzy figures were six touchdowns, all in the first half, which is a new school record. He also became the only Rocket in history to score at least six times in a single game twice. He scored seven times a few weeks ago against Ballard Memorial.

“We have a great offensive line. I wouldn’t want play with anyone else,” Nesbitt said.

The running back said that he expected the Rockets throw more in the season finale, but a third straight Friday with rainy conditions put the ball on the ground, especially early, where he piled up four rushing TDs. Then, just before the half, he caught two Boone passes for scoring strikes within a 41-second time frame.

Pressing to make something happen late in the half, Hopkins Central tried to convert twice on fourth downs in their own territory. The strategy failed miserably against an inspired Crittenden defense and Boone worked those final two scoring passes to Nesbitt just before the break.

"This senior class has been a great one for me starting out my career,” said first-year head coach Sean Thompson, whose team tied the school record with nine regular-season wins. 

Thompson creatively showed his respect for the senior group by sending all 14 of them onto the field to run a play in the second half once the outcome was not in jeopardy. Of course, the officials charged the Rockets five yards for illegal participation, but the gesture was well received by the hometown fans. 

The Rockets have won nine games in a regular season five times now. They did it in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 1985 during the Class A state championship run.

“For me it’s a blessing to come into a situation like this as a new coach,” Thompson said, adding that the team’s goal was to be 10-0 heading into the playoffs, but this is undeniably acceptable. 

“Our goal is to be 1-0 each week, and that means we did it nine times,” Thompson said.

Clearly, the Rockets want a greater prize. The same one harvested in 1985. The post-season begins next week with Caverna coming to Crittenden County – coincidentally, a team the Rockets beat on their way to that state crown 33 years ago.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Hopkins Central 0 6 0 0

Crittenden County 21 27 7 6

SCORING PLAYS

C-Payton Riley 30 pass from Hunter Boone (Parker Johnson kick) 10:20, 1st

C-Devon Nesbitt 2 run (Johnson kick) 5:53, 1st

C-Nesbitt 4 run (Johnson kick) 2:44, 1st

C-Dreyton Grimes 4 pass from Jackson Bergant (pass failed) 8:16, 2nd

C-Nesbitt 62 run (Johnson kick) 7:22, 2nd

C-Nesbitt 2 run (kick failed) 3:08, 2nd

C-Nesbitt 7 pass from Boone (Johnson kick) 1:42, 2nd

C-Nesbitt 24 pass from Boone (Johnson kick) 1:03, 2nd

C-Branen Lamey 16 run (Noah Perkins kick) 7:50, 3rd

C-Travis Guess 15 run (no try) 2:55, 4th

TEAM TOTALS

First Downs: Crittenden 11, Central 8

Penalties: Crittenden 6-55, Central 6-39

Rushing: Crittenden 22-229, Central 22-21

Passing: Crittenden 13-21-0, 218 yds., Central 14-32-2, 81 yds.

Total Yards: Crittenden 447, Central 102

Fumbles/Lost: Crittenden 1-0, Central 1-1

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

Crittenden: Nesbitt 11-142, Guess 4-54, Xander Tabor 1-7, Lamey 1-18, Keifer Marshall 3-(-8), Braxton Winders 1-10, H.Boone 1-6. Central: Michael Powell 10-20, Donovan Haris 2-9, Bergant 1-(-9), Cyrus Kington 1-(-4), Silas Kington 1-(-1), Blasin Moore 1-7, Chase Brasher 1-(-3).

Passing

Crittenden: Boone Passing: Crittenden 13-21-0, 218 yds. Central: Bergant 14-31-1, 81 yds., Edward Sanchez 0-1-1.

Receiving 

Crittenden: Riley 2-41, Dossett 3-61, Lamey 4-78, Nesbitt 3-34, Mitchell Joyce 1-4. Central: Moore 6-35, Marques Jackson 3-17, Colin Rogers 2-17, Dreyton Grimes 2-8, Jaxon Winn 1-4.
Defense
Dickerson 5 solos, 2 assists, 2 TFL; Lamey assist; Langston solo; O’Leary 4 solos, 4 assists, 4 TFL; Riley 4 solos; Gobin solo, sack; Guess 3 solos, assist; Jones 3 solos, 5 assists, TFL, caused fumble; Phillips 5 solos, assist; Easley 3 solos, 5 assists; McCalister 4 solos, 2 assists; Tabor assist, interception, fumble recovery; Perkins interception; Winders 4 solos, 3 assists, TFL; Crider solo; Marshall solo; Stone solo, TFL.

Records: Crittenden 9-1, Hopkins Central 3-7