Rockets run out of gas in 48-21 loss

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County’s football team already thin due to afflictions in key positions, was by the second half Friday against Madisonville reeling from fatigue, hobbled by additional injuries and force-fed a steady dose of the Maroons’ potent rushing attack in a 48-21 loss.

Micah Newcom gained most of his yards in
the first half against the Maroons' defense.

It was the Rockets’ home opener and CCHS played with considerable energy in the first half. Yet after trailing by a touchdown late in the third quarter, Crittenden was vanquished when Madisonville scored three unanswered TDs in the final 15 minutes. By game’s end, the Rockets were down to their third-team center, two backups at linebacker and a patchwork of reserve linemen on either side of the ball. 

I thought we came out ready play. I thought we fought early and played well at times, but there are things we obviously need to fix,” coach Gaige Courtney said. (Madisonville) is a fast, physical team and injuries kind of piled up on us toward the end. We’re just running out of guys.

“Hopefully we can get healthy,” he continued. “There were a lot of things tonight that we can build on. There was a lot of adversity out there tonight.”

LBs Briley Berry and Gattin Travis try to
corral the MHS quarterback in the 1st half.

Absolutely, Crittenden was in the game in the second half until its makeshift offensive line, worn bit my Madisonville’s size advantage, was unable to protect quarterback Micah Newcom. He was sacked three times the second half, flushed from the pocket often and forced to throw a handful of balls intentionally out of bounds instead of taking further losses.

Newcom rushed or 39 yards and threw for 103 in the first half. He ran for one touchdown and threw for two more in the game, but struggled to find time and rhythm in the pocket late. He finished with 182 passing and seven net-rushing yards.

Meantime, Madisonville went to an I-formation in the second half and pounded the ball right at the Rockets. Its running back, Markezz Hightower rushed for 147 yards, and 114 came after the break on 13 carries.

CCHS center Hurst Miniard was injured in the first half and a freshman filled in. Linebacker Briley Berry suffered a shoulder injury and running back/defensive back Levi Piper left the game, too, both in the second half. CCHS was already down two linemen – a place the team was lacking depth at to start with – because of previous injuries. 

The Rockets will play at Caldwell County next week.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Madisonville 6 15 20 7
Crittenden 7 7 7 0

SCORING PLAYS
C-Micah Newcom 32 run (Preston Morgeson kick) 10:28, 1st
M-Javion Martin 15 pass from Anias Mitchell (kick blocked) 5:35, 1st
M-Tremaine Lovan 72 pass from Mitchell (pass completed) 11:06, 2nd
M-Evan Robinson 62 interception return (Ivan Juarez kick) 11:06, 2nd
C-Casey Cates 14 pass from Newcom (Morgeson kick) :38, 2nd
M-Mitchell 2 run (Juarez kick) 6:07, 3rd
C-Morgeson 13 pass from Newcom (Morgeson kick) 3:40, 3rd
M-Lovan 88 kickoff return (Chris Hughes kick) 3:25, 3rd
M-Markezz Hightower 44 pass from Mitchell (kick blocked) :37, 3rd
M-Hightower 33 run (Juarez kick) 1:23, 4th

TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: CCHS 9, MHS 13
Penalties: CCHS 3-20, MHS 8-80
Rushing: CCHS 22-39, MHS 38-212
Passing: CCHS 14-25-1, 182; MHS 9-14-1, 208
Total Yards: CCHS 221, MHS 420
Fumbles/Lost: CCHS 1-1, MHS 2-2

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
CCHS: Gattin Travis 2-4, Tyler Belt 2-4, Morgeson 1-21, Levi Piper 2-4, Sammy Impastato 1-(-1), Newcom 14-7. MHS: Hightower 19-147, Ricky Bowles 3-15, Logan 1-0, Kirk LaGrange 1-4, Ty Wheeler 3-20.
Passing
CCHS: Newcom 14-25-1,182. MHS: Mitchell 9-14-1, 208.
Receiving
CCHS: Morgeson 6-77, Rowen Perkins 3-21, Kaleb Nesbitt 2-51, T.Belt 1-23, Cates 1-14, Caden Howard 1-(-4). MHS: Trey Segwick 2-22, Martin 2-25, Wheeler 1-18, Logan 3-99, Hightower 1-44.
Defense

Sammy Impastato 8 solos, 4 assist; Case Gobin 6 solos, 4 assists, sack, blocked kick; Kaleb Nesbitt 4 solos; Briley Berry 12 solos, 3 assists; Preston Morgeson 3 solos, 2 assists; Seth Guess 3 solos, 3 assists, blocked kick; Zach Counts 2 solos, sack; Evan Belt solo, assist; Levi Piper 3 solos; Gattin Travis 6 solos, 3 assists, sack, caused fumble; Tyler Belt solo, interception; Grayson James 2 assists; Keelyn Gobin solo, fumble recovery; Caden Howard 2 solos, caused fumble, fumble recovery.

Players of the Game Offense Preston Morgeson, Defense Briley Berry, Lineman Lane West, Special Teams Seth Guess.

Records: CCHS 1-2, MHS 2-1