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.
 |
| 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.
 |
| 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
