Friday, September 8, 2017

Caldwell explodes to swamp Rocket excitement

The Rocket defense frustrated Caldwell early. Here freshman
Caden McCalister (22) hangs onto Tiger Dylan Gray until
reinforcements arrive in the form of Sean O'Leary (57) and
Adam Beavers (55).
MARION, Ky. – Pardon the cliché, but those who live by the sword have a tendency to die by it, too.

Crittenden County's all-out ariel attack had hopes in Rocket Nation simmering in the first period against arch-rival Caldwell County Friday night. However, the explosive Tigers – a bit slow on the draw – sliced up the Rockets once their vast arsenal was unsheathed. 

Out of the gate, Crittenden (1-2) posted a 14-3 lead in front a huge hometown crowd. Its defense frustrated Caldwell County (3-1) for a time and the Rocket offense was living large on the arm of junior quarterback Hunter Boone. 

A handful of successful strikes over the middle burned the Tigers' man coverage and Crittenden raced out to its first lead over Caldwell since 2009. 

It didn't last too long.

The Tiger response to Crittenden's sword work was equally as violent in the final minutes of the first half as Boone was picked off on three straight offensive possessions. In fact, Caldwell intercepted a record six Boone passes – two were returned for touchdowns and three others led to six-point responses in short measure.
QB Hunter Boone directs receiver
Branen Lamey.

By the time the boys took their customary intermission, Caldwell was breathing a bit easier than it did in the early going. The Tigers were ahead 51-21 at the half and the game was effectively over.

The Rockets will be on the road next week against winless Webster County.


SCORE BY QUARTERS
Caldwell County 10 41 7 7
Crittenden County 14 7 0 0

SCORING PLAYS
Cald-Boyce Nichols 25 field goal 9:58, 1st
Critt-Ethan Dossett 70 pass from Hunter Boone (Cody Belt kick) 9:07, 1st
Britt-Dossett 14 pass from Boone (Belt kick) 3:24, 1st
Cald-Trel Riley 15 pass from Joby Jaggers (Nichols kick) );00, 1st
Cald-Dylan Gray 3 run (Nichols kick) 8:26, 2nd
Cald-Jameer Riley 30 interception return (Nichols kick) 8:07, 2nd
Critt-Mason Hunt 21 pass from Boone (Belt kick) 7:34, 2nd
Cald-Ben Holt 15 pass from Jaggers (Nichols kick) 3:58, 2nd
Cald-Trel Riley 29 interception return (Nichols kick) 3:42, 2nd
Cald-Jameer Riley 27 pass from Jaggers (run failed) 3:11, 2nd
Cald-Cameron Traylor 8 pass from Jaggers (Nichols kick) 1:52, 2nd
Cald-Jameer Riley 2 pass from Jaggers (Nichols kick) 4:13, 3rd
Cald-Seth Slayton 29 run (Nichols kick) 10:32, 4th

TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: Crittenden 12, Caldwell 10
Penalties: Crittenden 2-10, Caldwell 5-30
Rushing: Crittenden 26-27, Caldwell 20-166
Passing: Crittenden 17-39-6, 322 yds., Caldwell 22-28-1, 192 yds.
Total Yards: Crittenden 349, Caldwell 358
Fumbles/Lost: Crittenden 2-1, Caldwell 2-1

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Crittenden-Devon Nesbitt 12-25, Gavin Dickerson 2-0, Xander Tabor 6-18, Lathen Easley 1-4, Braxton Winders 2-(-19), Boone 2-(-1). Caldwell-Trel Riley 1-(-2), Gray 9-34, Dylan Cavanaugh 1-6, Jameer Riley 2-30, Slayton 3-91, Russ Beshear 1-9, Travion Samuel 1-5, Jaggers 1-(-6).
Passing
Crittenden-Boone 15-35-6, 306 yds., Braxton Winders 2-4-0, 16 yds. Caldwell-Jaggers 22-28-1, 192 yds.
Receiving
Crittenden-Hunt 2-32, Cody Belt 5-106, Dossett 4-125, Branen Lamey 1-44, Nesbitt 1-2, Dickerson 2-(-3), Matt Lynn 1-4, Caden McCalister 1-12. Caldwell-Oliver Parker 7-36, Travis Newsom 2-15, Gabe East 1-(-2), Cavanaugh 1-(-6), Trel Riley 1-15, Gray 1-2, Jameer Riley 8-111, Traylor 1-8, Holt 1-15.
Defense
Adam Beavers 4 solos, 2 assists, TFL; Cody Belt 3 solos, TFL; Brady Birk 2 solos, TFL: Kyle Castiller 5 solos; Mason Hunt 2 solos, 2 assists, caused fumble; Gavin Dickerson 2 solos, 5 assists, TFL; Branen Lamey 5 solos, interception; Devon Nesbitt solo, 2 assists; Sean O’Leary 3 solos, TFL; Riley Gobin solo; Travis Guess solo; Hunter Jones 2 solos, 7 assists, TFL, caused fumble, fumble recovery’ Justin Phillips assist; Lathen Easley solo; Caden McCalister 5 solos, 3 assists, sack, TFL; Xander Tabor solo; Braxton Winders, solo, assist.
Players of the Game: Defense Caden McCalister and Branen Lamey; Offense Cody Belt and Ethan Hunt; Lineman Adam Beavers.
Records: Crittenden 1-2, Caldwell 3-1