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| Rocket senior Brenden Phillips looks for running room behind blocker Zach Tinsley. |
Crittenden County junior running back Lane Wallace turned in his second straight 100-yard-plus game, leading a strong ground attack and earning the bowl's MVP award. Teammate Travis McKinney was presented the Marion Eye Care Center Lineman of the Game award and Hopkins Central's Isaac Dunlap was given the Warrior of the Game award.
Starnes, who underwent surgery to remove part of his colon just nine days earlier, told his players following their second straight victory that he draws inspiration from them as he fights his own battle against cancer. Starnes missed the season-opener at Fulton City last week.
"The way you fought tonight, the way you continue to fight is what inspires me," Starnes told his Rockets in a celebratory team meeting on the field right after the game. "It meant a lot to me to be on the sideline with you tonight."
Crittenden needed some late heroics from the defense to seal the deal after Hopkins Central came out in the second half with inspiration of its own. The Storm got behind its line and moved the ball downfield in the third period for the team's only touchdown. After a two-point conversion run by Storm QB Austin Franklin, Crittenden's margin was just five points.
Rocket defensive coordinator Jeremy Wheeler said adjustments on schemes between the tackles helped stop Hopkins Central's second-half assault.
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| Starnes talks to his team after the game. |
Crittenden led 13-0 at the break thanks to a couple of sustained drives, one of which chewed up much of the first-quarter clock. The Rockets went 84 yards on 13 plays in just over seven minutes on its first series. Lane Wallace scored from nine yards for a lead his team would never relinquish.
Sophomore running back Dylan Hollis added a short touchdown run in the second period after a 10-play drive. That series started when Hollis recovered a Storm fumble at his own 34 and returned it 18 yards into Crittenden territory.
Hopkins Central posted its only touchdown on the first possession of the second half, but was forced to punt the next two times it had the ball. Crittenden stopped the Storm on downs at the Rocket 26 to assure the victory.
CRITTENDEN 19, HOPKINS CENTRAL 8
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Hopkins Central 0 0 8 0
Crittenden County 7 6 0 6
SCORING PLAYS
CC-Lane Wallace 9 run (Micah Hollamon kick) 3:13, 1st
CC-Dylan Hollis 2 run (kick failed) 6:21, 2nd
HC-Keontae Pearson 2 run (Austin Franklin run) 6:23, 3rd
CC-Wallace 3 run (pass failed) 4:05, 4th
CC-Wallace 3 run (pass failed) 4:05, 4th
TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: Crittenden 14, Hopkins10
Penalties: Crittenden 3-15, Hopkins 2-10
Rushing: Crittenden 46-248, Hopkins 37-165
Passing: Crittenden 0-3-0, Hopkins 2-4-0, 20 yds.
Total Yards: Crittenden 248, Hopkins 185
Fumbles/Lost: Crittenden 1-0, Hopkins 2-1
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Crittenden: Wallace 21-141, Maeson Myers 7-51, Brenden Phillips 7-38, Hollis 5-19, Nick Castiller 1-8, Travis Gilbert 5-(-9). Hopkins: Pearson 13-41, Deaven Wilson 5-33, Dustin Browning 4-19, Kendall Jackson 1-11, Isaad Dunlap 9-48, Trey Morgan 1-3, Franklin 3-(-3).
Passing
Crittenden: Gilbert 0-2-0, Noah Dickerson 1-0-0. Hopkins: Franklin 2-4-0, 20 yds.
Receiving
Hopkins: Dylan Wagner 1-11, Josh Utley 1-9.
DefenseCaraway solo, TFL; Gilbert 4 solos assist; Phillips 2 solos, 4 assists; Tinsley 4 solos, 2 assists; Wagoner 4 solos, 2 assists, 2 TFL, sack; Dickerson 4 solos, assist; Wallace 5 solos, assist, caused fumble; Castiller solo, assist; Cosby solo, 3 assists; Fitzgerald 5 solos, 5 assists; Hollis 8 solos, 2 assists, TFL, caused fumble, fumble recovery; A.McKinney 2 solos, assist; T.McKinney 6 solos, assist, TFL, sack; Sitar solo, assist.
Players of the Game: Offense Lane Wallace, Defense Dylan Hollis, Linemen Daniel Wagoner and Travis McKinney.
Records: Crittenden 2-0, Hopkins Central 0-2
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| Lane Wallace was the game's MVP. |
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| Travis McKinney was the Lineman of the Game. |
