Rockets beat Louisville DeSales
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Pharmacists Mike Keller and Bradley Boone
Monday, October 31, 2022
Friday, October 28, 2022
Rockets roll 40-13 over Louisville DeSales
MARION, Ky. – Unpacking Crittenden County’s football season after 10 games, it's clear that second-year skipper Gaige Courtney’s crew has saved its best for last as the Rockets turn their attention to the playoffs.
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| QB Micah Newcom threw for 289 yards against DeSales |
Injuries have been a challenge for the Rockets this fall, but a patchwork offensive linemen has held firm down the stretch. Meanwhile quarterback Micah Newcom and his able receiving corps has shredded secondaries with near-perfect precision the last few weeks. DeSales was no match for the Rockets’ spread offense as Newcom completed 23 of 30 passes for 289 yards. Senior receiver Kaleb Nesbitt caught three scoring strikes among his nine catches for 159 yards. The yardage was the fifth most in a single game for a receiver in school history.
Nesbitt caught two first-half TDs and Casey Cates grabbed another as CCHS led the winless Colts 21-0 at the break.
DeSales, which Coach Courtney described as a dangerous team when it gets going, found some rhythm in the second half with a determined running attack behind its monstrous front five and some big passes to Garrett Price in narrow seams downfield. The Colts hoofed their way back into the ballgame with two third-quarter touchdowns before safety Tyler Belt threw cold water on their comeback plans.
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| The Rocket defense kept DeSales in check |
DeSales was threatening to score again late in the third period and Crittenden’s back was pressed against its own goal post. Trailing 27-13 on fourth-down-and-three from the Rockets’ four-yard line, DeSales quarterback Peyton Molter threw a ball over the middle that Belt intercepted in the end zone, spoiling the guests’ hopes of making it a one-possession game.
“We had a whole lot of momentum going into the half… then special teams woes kind of got us with those two onside kicks and the momentum shifted completely,” Courtney said. “They really had us on our heels down there on the goal line and Tyler Belt steps up and makes a big pick.”
From there, the Rockets regrouped and marched 80 yards, punctuated by Nesbitt’s third TD catch of the game. Following another interception by Rocket senior linebacker Briley Berry, Crittenden scored on Newcom’s fourth touchdown pass of the game, 21-yard strike to Nesbitt – his third. Preston Morgeson caught a Newcom's fifth TD pass of the game with just over four minutes to play, giving him a share of the all-time touchdown reception record.
After losing four of the first six games this season and having to reshuffle the lineup due to injuries, Crittenden County has gained a measure of energy heading into the playoffs where it can host at least the first two games. A win next week over Fort Knox (3-6) would pit the Rockets against Bethlehem in round two at Marion. Crittenden lost a regular-season matchup 63-35 at Bethlehem (8-2) in Week 6. Now, the Rockets are playing for a chance at a rematch on friendlier soil with a state quarterfinal berth at stake.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Louisville DeSales 0 0 13 0
Crittenden County 6 15 6 13
SCORING PLAYS
C-Kaleb Nesbitt 3 pass from Micah Newcom (Morgeson kick blocked) 1:34, 1st
C-Nesbitt 8 pass from Newcom (Newcom run) 7:57, 2nd
C-Casey Cates 19 pass from Newcom (Morgeson kick) :32, 2nd
D-Garrett Price 30 pass from Peyton Molter (Logan Givens kick) 10:06, 3rd
C-Case Gobin 2 run (Morgeson kick blocked) 7:28, 3rd
D-Price 11 pass from Molter (kick blocked) 2:59, 3rd
C-Nesbitt 12 pass from Newcom (Morgeson kick) 6:38, 4th
C-Morgeson 21 pass from Newcom (Keagen Young-Pearson kick failed) 4:31, 4th
TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: CCHS 14, DeSales 11
Penalties: CCHS 12-122, DeSales 6-45
Rushing: CCHS 20-99, DeSales 23-84
Passing: CCHS 23-30-0, 289; DeSales 12-23-3, 112
Total Yards: CCHS 388, DeSales 196
Fumbles/Lost: CCHS 0-0, DeSales 2-2
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
CCHS: Gattin Travis 10-33, T.Belt 3-5, Morgeson 1-46, Nesbitt 1-3, Newcom 4-10, Gobin 1-2. DeSales: Kaleb Adkins 17-83, Marshall Miller 1-5, DaVon Martin 4-1, Molter 1-(-5).
Passing
CCHS: Newcom 23-30-0, 289. DeSales: Molter 12-21-2, 112; Martin 0-2-1.
Receiver
CCHS: Nesbitt 9-159, Caden Howard 1-12, T.Belt 3-24, Morgeson 6-29, Cates 1-19, Travis 1-27, Rowen Perkins 2-19. DeSales: Price 6-93, Adkins 3-8, Luke Pfaadt 1-14, Trenton Gohl 1-(-1), Martin 1-(-2).
Defense
Seth Guess 2 solos, 4 assists; Nesbitt 2 solos, 2 assists; KeKoa Kuamoo interception; C.Gobin 5 solos, 4 assists, fumble recovery, TFL; Howard 2 solos, 2 assists, blocked kick; Impastato 3 solos, 3 assists, fumble recovery, TFL; Bennett McDaniel 2 solos, 3 assists; Evan Belt 2 solos, assist; Perkins solo, sack; Morgeson solo; Levi Piper 2 assists; T.Belt solo, 2 assists, interception; Berry 10 solos, 3 assists, interception, TFL; Travis 2 solos, assist; Grayson James 2 solos, TFL.
Players of the Game: Offense Micah Newcom and Kaleb Nesbitt, Defense Briley Berry, Lineman Lane West, Special Teams Case Gobin.
Records: Crittenden 6-4, DeSales 0-10.
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Gaige Courtney Coach's Show | Week 10
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BEFORE FRIDAY'S GAME JOIN THE TAILGATING
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
AT A GLANCE: DeSales Colts
BY: ANDY HUNT
ABOVE: Donny Beverly (#37 in color), Dennis Mott (#21), Ethan Dossett (#10), and Johnny Crider (#37).
Find out what select statistical group these four former players and a current Rocket are part of in this week's post.
Also, check out a review of this week's matchup against DeSales!
DeSales Colts (0-9, 0-4)
- Central Hardin (6A, 8-1) – LOSS – 45-7
- North Hardin (6A, 4-5) – LOSS – 45-6
- Meade County (6A, 4-5) – LOSS – 42-21
- Pleasure Ridge Park (6A, 6-4) – LOSS – 47-0
- Henry County (3A, 7-2) – LOSS – 49-6*
- Fern Creek (6A, 4-6) – LOSS – 43-13
- Christian Academy - Louisville (3A, 9-0) – LOSS – 51-0*
- Western Hills (3A, 2-7) – LOSS – 26-18*
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Mercer County (3A, 4-5) – LOSS – 30-25*
- This week’s game will be DeSales's last game of the season.
- Crittenden County is the only non
Monday, October 24, 2022
PODCAST: Coach Courtney breaks down Russellville win
Rockets beat Russellville
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Pharmacists Mike Keller and Bradley Boone
Friday, October 21, 2022
Rockets capture district title at Russellville
RUSSELLVILLE, Ky. – Crittenden County lightened its burden a bit with a 43-8 win at Russellville Friday, laying claim to a fifth First District Class A championship in six seasons.
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| Rockets take the field at Russellville |
“This means a lot, especially after what happened last year,” said junior linebacker Bennett McDaneil, who had a key sack early in the game after Russellville had breached the red zone for the only time in a meaningful part of the game.
His sack and great defense for more than three quarters helped keep the Panthers scoreless until the Rocket reserves let a shutout slip away in the final minute of a running-clock second half.
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| Rockets gang tackle the Panther QB |
The well-worn consolation trophy that’s been trailered to away games, walked through the dressing room on a regular basis and posted on the sideline during practices has been formally exorcised from the team’s inner voice. It served a purpose, however, as a haunting reminder that it’s tough to win a championship, and even harder to lose one.
For now, Crittenden will celebrate its perfect run through the regular-season district schedule then quickly turn full attention to the 10th and final game at home next week against Louisville DeSales before hosting at least two playoff contests – as long as the Rockets continue to win in postseason.
Russellville, which lost by three points in last year’s Class A state championship to Pikeville, was a shadow of its former self as the Rockets rolled up four passing touchdowns and two on the ground en route to a 43-0 lead in the final period. Quarterback Michah Newcom was masterfully efficient against the Panthers, completing 12 of 15 passes for 103 yards.
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| Kaleb Nesbitt tackles a RHS ball carrier |
Junior running back Gattin Travis had his best rushing game this season with 58 yards, finding gaps in Russellville's defense and balancing the offensive attack. Newcom, the team’s leading rusher with 315 yards this year, had 62 yards on the ground against the Panthers.
Freshman Caden Howard caught his fourth touchdown pass of the fall, the most for a ninth grader in a single season in school history. Senior Preston Morgeson caught two scoring strikes at Russellville and moved to within one of the school’s career
record, which is held by Ethan Dossett at 23.
With the league title firmly in hand, CCHS will host Fort Knox in the first round of the playoffs in two weeks, and could get another shot at Bethlehem – a team that beat the Rockets 63-35 in September. That potential encore would be in the second round of the playoffs.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Crittenden 7 15 14 7
Russellville 0 0 0 8
SCORING PLAYS
C-Caden Howard 6 pass from Micah Newcom (Preston Morgeson kick) 3:04, 1st
C-Morgeson 4 pass from Newcom (Briley Berry pass from Newcom) 6:18, 2nd
C-Kaleb Nesbitt 6 pass from Newcom (Morgeson kick) :33, 2nd
C-Sammy Impastato 7 run (Morgeson run) 10:31, 3rd
C-Morgeson 5 pass from Newcom (Morgeson kick failed) 2:50, 3rd
C-Gattin Travis 3 run (Morgeson kick) 11:43, 4th
R-Nick Woodard 46 run (Woodard run) :31, 4th
TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: CCHS 10, RHS 6
Penalties: CCHS 2-20, RHS 11-85
Rushing: CCHS 20-146, RHS 32-153
Passing: CCHS 12-15-1, 103, RHS 3-8-0, 21
Total Yards: CCHS 249, RHS 174
Fumbles/Lost: CCHS 0-0, 1-1
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
CCHS: Impastato 1-7, Travis 8-58, Tyler Belt 3-18, Camron Belcher 1-2, Jacob Carder 1-(-1), Newcom 6-62. RHS: AJ Woodard 1-6, Nick Woodard 10-83, Monti Williams 10-27, Noah Stovall 1-12, Octavious McKeage 10-25.
Passing
CCHS: Newcom 12-14-0, 103, Quinn Summers 0-1-1. RHS: McKeage 3-8-0, 21.
Receiving
CCHS: Morgeson 5-62, Howard 2-13, Nesbitt 2-28, Briley Berry 1-(-1), Case Gobin 1-4, T.Belt 1-(-3). RHS: Williams 1-0, N.Woodard 1-21.
Defense
Seth Guess 4 solos, 2 assists; Nesbitt 5 solos, 2 assists, 2 TFLs; C. Gobin 3 solos, 5 assists, TFL; Howard solo, fumble recovery; Impastato 5 solos, assist, 3 TFLs; Bennett McDaniel solo, 3 assists, sack; Brayden Poindexter solo, assist; Morgeson assist; Carder solo; Levi Piper 2 solos, assist; T. Belt 4 solos, assist; Gabe Keller 2 solos, assist; Berry 3 solos, assist; Travis 2 solos, 3 assists; Keelyn Gobin 3 solos, TFL; Grayson James solo; Lane West assist; Michael Counts assist.
Players of the Game: Offense Micah Newcom, Defense Kaleb Nesbitt and Sammy Impastato, Lineman Grayson James.
Records: CCHS 5-4 (2-0), RHS 1-8 (1-1)
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
AT A GLANCE: Russellville Panthers
BY: ANDY HUNT
These three illusive Rockets all have at least two of these 50 yard plays.
Look in this week's post for the answer and more info on week 9 opponent, Russellville!
Russellville 2022 Results
- Butler County (3A, 4-5) – LOSS – 34-13
- Glasgow (4A, 4-4) – LOSS – 48-6
- Logan County (4A, 4-4) – LOSS – 54-0
- Warren East (4A, 8-0) – LOSS – 60-12
- Franklin-Simpson (4A, 6-2) – LOSS – 44-8
- Barren County (6A, 4-4) – LOSS – 46-0
- Fulton County (1A, 2-6) – WIN – 38-32
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Pikeville (1A, 6-2) – LOSS – 42-7
Russellville 2022 Stats
- Passing
- #2 Octavious McKeage – 45/102, 3 TDs, 7 INTs
Monday, October 17, 2022
PODCAST: Coach Courtney talks about district win
Rockets beat Fulton County
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Pharmacists Mike Keller and Bradley Boone
Friday, October 14, 2022
Rockets fire quick to smoke Fulton County 47-14
MARION, Ky. – Turnovers and big plays gave the Rockets a head start Friday in the race to win a district championship as Crittenden County was quick out off the blocks in a 47-14 win over Fulton County for homecoming.
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| Kaleb Nesbitt heads toward the goal line for a touchdown in the first half. |
Nearly all of the Rockets’ damage was delivered by quarterback Micah Newcom’s pinpoint passing. The junior QB threw for 193 yards, completing 13-of-15 passes. Senior receiver Kaleb Nesbitt caught to scoring strikes, his first on the game’s opening play from scrimmage on a 52-yarder. Caden Howard caught his third scoring pass of the season late in the first half, tying a school record for most TD catches by a freshman with three on the season. Preston Morgeson hauled in the other first-half touchdown pass, and returned a punt in the third quarter to put CCHS up 41-0.
Junior Tyler Belt rushed for the Rockets other touchdown. He was the only CCHS running back to have positive net yardage in the game as Crittenden rushed for just 11 yards. It was the first time in history Crittenden had gained so little on the ground and still won the game. The last time CCHS
rushed for under 40 yards and managed to post a victory was in 1965 over Fulton City.
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| LB Bennett McDaniel dives for a loose ball. |
The Rockets forced Fulton into two fumbles and two interceptions, setting up two touchdowns. Nesbitt also blocked a punt to set up another score.
“It sets us up for a showdown against Russellville for an in-season district championship,” coach Gaige Courtney said. “The guys played hard, executed well and came out and started fast. That was a big thing.”
The Rockets (4-4) had come from behind to win each of their other three victories. The win this week signals the first time CCHS has won two straight this season.
Crittenden will be at Russellville next week. The Panthers beat Fulton County earlier this season in overtime.
SCORING PLAYS
Fulton County 0 0 0 14
Crittenden Co. 14 21 6 6
SCORING PLAYS
C-Kaleb Nesbitt 52 pass from Micah Newcom (Preston Morgeson kick) 11;51, 1st
C-Tyler Belt 1 run (Morgeson kick) 4:29, 1st
C-Nesbitt 16 pass from Newcom (Morgeson kick) 11:17, 2nd
C-Morgeson 2 pass from Newcom (Morgeson kick) 10:44, 2nd
C-Caden Howard 18 pass from Newcom (Morgeson kick) :37, 2nd
C-Morgeson 52 punt return (Pearson kick failed) :00, 3rd
F-Katon McCauley 40 pass from Caden Kimble (JShon Jones pass from Kimble) 4:49, 4th
C-Camron Belcher 59 pass from Quinn Summers (run failed) 3:03, 4th
F-Luke Jackson 18 run (no attempt) 0:00, 4th
TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: CCHS 4, FCHS 6
Penalties: CCHS 9-55, FCHS 5-22
Rushing: CCHS 8-11, FCHS 23-74
Passing: CCHS 16-20-0, 258; FCHS 5-16-2, 96
Total Yards: CCHS 269, FCHS 170
Fumbles/Lost: CCHS 0-0, FCHS 2-2
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
CCHS: Gattin Travis 3-(-5), T.Belt 2-17, Morgeson 1-0, Newcom 2-(-1). FCHS: Jackson 3-23, Kimble 3-7, Jones 9-46, McCauley 4-1, Jovan Westmorland 1-3, Charles Goodman 3-(-6).
Passing
CCHS: Newcom 13-15-0, 193; Summers 3-5-0, 65. FCHS: Goodman 3-11-1, 32; Kimble 2-5-1, 64.
Receiving
CCHS: Nesbitt 3-75, Case Gobin 2-53, Morgeson 3-9, Gabe Keller 1-7, Evan Belt 1-5, Travis 1-23, T.Belt 1-3, Howard 1-18, Belcher 2-57, Hayden Hildebrand 1-8.
Defense
Seth Guess 2 solos, 3 assists; Nesbitt 2 solos, 2 assists, blocked punt; Nate Faith interception; C. Gobin 4 solos, 3 assists, TFL; Howard 3 solos, assist, sack; Sam Impastato 5 solos, 2 assists, 2 caused fumbles, 2 TFLs, sack; Bennett McDaniel assist; E. Belt solo, assist; Brayden Poindexter 3 solos, 2 assists; Jacob Carder solo; Blake French solo, assist; T. Belt assist; Keller assist; Berry 2 solos, 2 assists, fumble recovery; Travis 5 solos, interception; Hildebrand assist; Trae Taylor assist; Keelyn Gobin 2 solos; West fumble recovery; Michael Counts solo; Jason Millikan solo.
Players of the Game: Offense Micah Newcom and Kaleb Nesbitt, Defense Sammy Impastato, Lineman Lane West, Special Teams Preston Morgeson.
Records: CCHS 4-4, FCHS 2-6
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Rocket Football Coach's Show: Week 8
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Tuesday, October 11, 2022
AT A GLANCE: Fulton County Pilots
BY: ANDY HUNT
Mike Sutton (#10) and David Beverly (#37) each set a school
record against Fulton County.
Find out what record they each hold and other records against
Fulton County in this week's post.
record against Fulton County.
Find out what record they each hold and other records against
Fulton County in this week's post.
- Gleason (TN) (1A, 3-4) – LOSS – 34-60
- Marshall County (6A, 3-4) – LOSS – 6-54
- Calloway County (4A, 0-7) – WIN – 44-28
- Ballard Memorial (2A, 0-7) – WIN – 58-30
- South Fulton (TN) (1A, 4-3) – LOSS – 36-52
- Trigg County (2A, 6-1) – LOSS – 34-55
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Russellville (1A, 1-6) – LOSS – 32-38
- Fulton County has 28 players on its roster (23 in 2021, 32 in 2020).
- In the past three seasons, Fulton County is 4-21 with their
only wins coming over Ballard Memorial (3) and Calloway County (1).
2022 Fulton
County Statistics
- Passing
- #16 Max Gibbs – 72/163, 1156 yards, 15 TDs, 6 INTs
- Rushing
- #6 JShon Jones – 51 attempts, 458 yards, 11 TDs
- #16 Max Gibbs – 55 Attempts, 302 yards, 5 TDs
Monday, October 10, 2022
PODCAST: Coach Courtney recaps Friday's win
Rockets win at Liberty Creek, Tenn.
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Pharmacists Mike Keller and Bradley Boone
Friday, October 7, 2022
Big Rocket comeback at Liberty Creek
GALLATIN, Tenn. – On a distant voyage, it took not an exotic gem, but an historic replica for Crittenden County to earn its third victory of the season.
The biggest second-half comeback in Rocket football history – well tied for the biggest ever – was needed for Crittenden County to rally from a two-touchdown deficit to win 28-14 Friday against Liberty Creek in northern Nashville.
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| Caden Howard and Casey Cates celebrate Howard's TD catch. |
The CCHS quarterback struggled to find his receivers in the first half despite adequate protection from the line, but he threw for two touchdowns in the final two periods and rushed for two more.
“The first half, I will take responsibility for. I wouldn’t let the ball go, wasn’t trusting myself, wasn’t trusting my teammates. That’s on me” Newcom said. “The second half we were able to pick each other up and come together.”
While Newcom was orchestrating the scoring plays, Crittenden’s defense turned the tide on the other side of the ball. The Rockets gave no ground or threw the Wolves’ for a loss on a third of their 18 second-half running plays, including three sacks. Liberty Creek was hampered a great deal by the loss of its top running back, Jake Barbuto, who left the game with just over six minutes to play in the third period with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury. He had rushed for 113 yards in the first half and was pivotal in the Wolves sustaining drives that piled up a dozen first downs. They had only two in the last half.
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| The Rocket defense caged the the Wolves in the second half. |
Only one other time in CCHS history had the Rockets come back from a 14-point halftime deficit. The first was in 1993 against Trigg County.
Coach Gaige Courtney said it was a tremendous lift for his squad, which opens district play next week at Rocket Stadium against Fulton County in the annual homecoming matchup.
“Super excited for the guys after being down 14 to nothing at halftime. I didn’t really say a whole lot, these guys just came out and decided they wanted to play,” Courtney said. “Just told them we had to play harder, we had to play faster and we had to play smarter. And that’s what they did.”
Crittenden improved to 3-4 on the season and will play its two First District Class A games over the next couple of weeks against Fulton and Russellville before finishing the regular season at home against Louisville DeSales.
SCORNIG PLAYS
LC-Brian Rager 7 run (Lane McKee run) :18, 1st
LC-Rager 2 run (kick failed) 4:40, 2nd
CC-Caden Howard 20 pass from Micah Newcom (Newcom run) 8:50, 3rd
CC-Newcom 14 run (kick failed) 7:39, 3rd
CC-Newcom 25 run (Preston Morgeson kick) 4:19, 3rd
CC-Kaleb Nesbitt 6 pass from Newcom (Morgeson kick) 4:48, 4th
TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: CCHS 8, LCHS 14
Penalties: 10-105, LCHS 12-124
Rushing: 26-113, LCHS 45-167
Passing: 8-14-0, 97, LCHS 7-8-0, 49
Total Yards: CCHS 210, LCHS 216
Fumbles/Lost: CCHS 4-1, LCHS 2-2
INDIVIDUAL STATSTICS
Rushing
CCHS: Tyler Belt 6-30, Gattin Travis 5-2, Seth Guess 2-0, Newcom 13-81. LCHS: Rager 12-21, Jake Barbuto 24-129.
Passing
CCHS: Newcom 8-14-0, 97. LCHS: Rager 7-8-0, 49.
Receiving
CCHS: Nesbitt 4-42, Howard 2-30, Casey Cates 1-18, Case Gobin 1-7.
Defense
Sammy Impastato 7 solos, 2 assits, 3 TFLs, sack; Case Gobin 3 solos, 6 assists; Rowen Perkins 3 solos; Kaleb Nesbitt 8 solos, 4 assists, fumble recovery; Briley Berry 9 solos, 9 assists, TFL, caused fumble; Preston Morgeson solo, assist; Seth Guess 5 solos, 2 assists; KeKoa Kuamoo solo; Evan Belt 2 solos, 2 assists; Gabe Keller 2 assists; Piper 5 solos, 4 assists; Gattin Travis 3 solos, assist; Bennett McDaniel 9 solos, 7 assists, TFL, 2 sacks; Tyler Belt solo, assist; Grayon James assist; Caden Howard solo, caused fumble, fumble recovery.
Players of the Game: Offense Micah Newcom, Defense Briley Berry and Bennett McDaniel, Special Teams Gattin Travis, Lineman Grayson James.
Records: Crittenden 3-4. Liberty Creek 2-5.
Thursday, October 6, 2022
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