Friday, August 19, 2016

Rockets fend off Todd down stretch

Ethan Dossett (10) on a gain early in the game.
ELKTON, Ky. – Crittenden County took an early lead then fended off a ferocious Todd Central comeback attempt in the fourth quarter before the Rockets put it away with a touchdown in the waning seconds to win 28-14.

Rocket sophomore quarterback Hunter Boone threw for 229 yards in his debut, but it was his legs that made the difference. Boone's fourth-down run to move the chains and keep a touchdown drive alive in the final period helped seal the deal in the season opener.

Todd mounted a rally in the last half and pulled to within a score twice. Yet both times, Crittenden responded with touchdowns.

Boone's 27-yard run from punt formation set up a touchdown by Devon Nesbitt to make it 21-7 with 7:28 to play. However, Todd came back scoring again and making the game close.

Crittenden running back Charlie Johnson came fresh off the sideline to empower the Rockets' final drive. His touchdown with 13 seconds to go eliminated any hope for the home-stadning Rebels. That final scoring drive appeared in jeopardy after Boone was thrown for a 13-yard sack. Then the QB connected on a sideline throw with senior receiver Paxton Riley on a key 38-yard play to salvage the series.

The game might have been a blowout early but Crittenden's offense sputtered after it posted to first-period touchdowns. Two interceptions in the Rebel end zone stymied would-be scoring opportunities for Crittenden.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Crittenden County 14 0 0 14
Todd Co. Central 0 0 7 7

SCORING PLAYS
C-Ethan Hunt 78 pass from Hunter Boone (run failed) 10:57, 1st
C-Gavin Dickerson 2 run (Dickerson run) 5:28, 1st
T-Bryce Penick 2 run (Kyle Harris kick) :09, 3rd
C-Devon Nesbitt 13 run (Will Perkins kick) 7:28, 4th
T-Jatwan Graham 41 run (Harris kick) 2:57, 4th
C-Charlie Johnson 2 run (Perkins kick) :13, 4th

TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: Crittenden 14, Todd 12
Penalties: Crittenden 3-20, Todd 6-30
Rushing: Crittenden 29-120, Todd 43-217
Passing: Crittenden 14-27-2, 229 yds., Todd 7-14-0, 48 yds.
Total Yards: Crittenden 349, Todd 267
Fumbles/Lost: Crittenden 1-1, Todd 1-1

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Crittenden: Johnson 10-48, Maeson Myers 1-0, Dickerson 1-2, Nesbitt 8-65, Ethan Dossett 1-9, Jacob Russelburg 2-2, Boone 6-(-6). Todd Central: Graham 1-41, Nick Tudor 15-47, Travay Henry 9-45, Trey Dickerson 7-84, Javaughn Peterson 3-3, Penick 8-(-3).
Passing
Crittenden: Boone 14-27-2, 229 yds. Todd Central: Penick 6-12-0, 48 yds., Tudor 1-2-0, 2 yds.
Receiving
Crittenden: Hunt 4-142, Dossett 2-21, Myers 2-15, Paxton Riley 4-51, Nesbitt 2-0. Todd Central: Tudor 3-34, Henry 2-17, Edwin Artis 2-(-1).
Defense
Adam Beavers: 6 Solo, 8 Asst., 1 Sack, 1 TFL
Brady Birk: 2 Solo, 1 Asst.
Ben Brown: 2 Asst.
Gavin Dickerson: 5 Solo, 9 Asst., 1 TFL, 1 FR
Ethan Hunt: 4 Solo, 5 Asst.
Mitchell Joyce: 5 Solo, 6 Asst.,
Branen Lamey: 4 Solo, 1 Asst., 1 FR
Mason Myers: 3 Solo, 3 Asst.
Devin Nesbitt: 4 Asst.
Sean O'Leary: 2 Solo, 3 Asst.
Paxton Riley: 1 Asst.
Jacob Russelburg: 2 Solo, 2 Asst.
Dylan Smith: 13 Solo, 6 Asst., 1 Sack
Adam Wright: 7 Asst.
LEGEND
Solo = Tackle by a single Rocket
Asst. = Assisted another Rocket with a tackle
Sack = Tackled the QB
TFL = Tackle For Loss
CF = Caused a fumble
FR = Fumble recovery 
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Defense Dylan Smith; Offense Hunter Boone and Ethan Hunt; Lineman Adam Beavers; Special Teams Hunter Boone.
Records: Crittenden 1-0, Todd Central 0-1