Gavin Dickerson (4) tackles Caverna's Anthony Eakles. |
MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County’s defense forced seven turnovers as the Rockets manhandled Caverna 42-16 in the opening round of the Class A playoffs.
The Rockets (7-4) travel next week to Bardstown to take on Bethlehem (8-3), a 69-6 winner over Fulton County.
Senior running back Dylan Hollis scored three touchdowns for the Rockets, sending Crittenden into the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2009.
The Colonels (2-9) fumbled six times and threw an interception, giving Crittenden plenty of scoring opportunities. Unlike the previous week at Ballard Memorial – when the Rockets misfired on offense after collecting turnovers – Crittenden made Caverna pay nearly every time the Colonels coughed it up.
Devin Hopper recovered three fumbles himself and the Rockets responded with touchdowns each time. Jacob Russelburg, Dylan Smith and Travis McKinney also recovered fumbles. Cody Belt intercepted a Caverna pass late in the game.
The Rockets turned five of the turnovers into points and led 42-0 early in the third period.
From there, Crittenden unloaded the bench and gave its starters a break while the mercy-rule continuous clock sped up the game. Caverna lineman Jesse Johnson scooped up a Rocket fumble and scored in the third period and the Colonels tacked on a late touchdown pass, too.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Caverna 0 0 8 8
Crittenden Co. 21 14 7 0
SCORING PLAYS
Cr-Dylan Hollis 12 run (Will Perkins kick) 11:17, 1st
Cr-Hollis 7 run (Perkins kick) 3:49, 1st
Cr-Gavin Dickerson 6 run (Perkins kick) :41, 1st
Cr-Hollis 14 run (Perkins kick) 6:43, 2nd
Cr-Nick Castiller 1 run (Perkins kick) 1:19, 2nd
Cr-Charlie Johnson 6 run (Perkins kick) 8:24, 3rd
Ca-Jesse Johnson 22 fumble recovery (Devon Paul run) 2:33, 3rd
Ca-Dytanius Franklin 8 pass from Paul (Tony Speaks pass from Paul) 2:22, 4th
TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: Crittenden 16, Caverna 6
Penalties: Crittenden 3-20, Caverna 8-77
Rushing: Crittenden 29-155, Caverna 27-116
Passing: Crittenden 14-29-0, 158 yds., Caverna 4-9-1, 38 yds.
Total Yards: Crittenden 313, Caverna 154
Fumbles/Lost: Crittenden 1-1, Caverna 8-6
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Crittenden: Hollis 13-93, Devon Nesbitt 1-1, Johnson 7-40, Dickerson 1-6, Ethan Dossett 1-(-1), Hunter Boone 1-(-7), Nick Castiller 5-23. Caverna: Anthony Eakles 8-28, Franklin 3-3, Jaden Williamson 1-3, Paul 15-82.
Passing
Crittenden: Castiller 13-25-0, 142, Boone 1-4-0, 16 yds. Caverna: Paul 4-9-1, 38 yds.
Receiving
Crittenden: Alex Cosby 3-56, Tyler Coleman 3-29, Seth Bidwell 2-10, Hollis 2-34, Kyle Castiller 1-2, Jared Lundy 1-16, Dickerson 1-4, Ethan Hunt 1-6. Caverna: Franklin 1-8, Eackles 1-9, Spears 2-21.Defense
Beavers 2 assists; C.Belt solo, interceptions; Birdwell 3 solos, 6 assists; Brooks solo; Coleman solo; Dickerson 5 solos, 5 assists; Fitzgerald 2 solos, 4 assists, caused fumble; Hicks 3 solos, 2 assists; Hoppers 3 solos, assist, sack, TFL, 3 fumble recoveries; Hunt solo, 2 assists; Lamey 3 solos; McConnell assist; T.McKinney 3 solo, assist, TFL, caused fumble, fumble recovery; O’Leary solo; Pax.Riley 4 solos, 2 assists; Russelburg solo, assist, fumble recovery; Smith 2 solos, 6 assists, caused fumble, fumble recovery.