Rockets roast Lakers on Senior Night

The team enters Rocket Stadium for last time in 2024

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County put a bow on its final performance of 2024 at Rocket Stadium, wrapping up a shutout victory decorated with several firsts in a game that marked the last home appearance for 10 seniors.

Senior Tyree McLean scores in the first half
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The Rockets dispatched winless Calloway County 36-0, a rewarding win after two consecutive losses—their third two-game skid of the season. But the victory also celebrated memorable milestones for several players: junior Trae Taylor scored his first career touchdown, senior Landon Curry (typically a defender) took his first and possibly last chance at carrying the ball on a rushing play, and senior Michael Porter notched both his first career touchdown and first-ever pass reception. Junior receiver Caden Howard also broke Preston Morgeson’s touchdown receptions record with his 26th career TD catch, one of two in the game, while junior quarterback Quinn Summers threw for over 300 yards for the first time.

“It was a good night for the Rockets,” said coach Gaige Courtney. “It was a really good way to send off the seniors. That was our message all week. It was the last time they will get to play here. It’s a special place and it means a lot to them. It was just really good to see a lot of things happen.”

Injuries in the Rocket lineup provided plenty of opportunity for others to step up. With senior running back Brayden Mahnke and junior lineman Michael Counts sidelined, Curry and Taylor saw more action, leading to standout moments on the field.

The Rocket defense posted a shutout, preserving
although Calloway got into the red zone once
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“It was good see all of (the seniors) get a lot of playing time, make plays and get some touches. Michael Porter getting in the end zone really meant a lot to me. He’s a kid that works his hind end off and to be reward like that on senior night is a big deal,” the coach said. “And that’s just one example. There were tons of them out there. Landon Curry made a ton of plays. There were a lot of guys who did. That’s the way senior night should be.”

Crittenden (4-6) scored three times in the first half and twice in the second. Summers nailed four touchdown passes with senior Tyree McLean and Taylor getting one each, and Howard had the other two. Howard finished with 142 yards on six catches. Porter added the only rushing touchdown, closing out the Rockets’ offensive performance. Senior CamRon Belcher posted eight catches for 107 yards and intercepted a pass on defense. 

With their season finale at Rocket Stadium behind them, the Rockets quickly shift focus to the postseason, which opens next Friday at undefeated Owensboro Catholic, the No. 1 team in Class 2A.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Calloway County 0 0 0 0

Crittenden County 8 14 8 6

SCORING PLAYS

Critt - Tyree McLean 1 pass from Quinn Summers (Caden Howard pass from McLean) 6:35, 1st

Critt - Howard 25 pass from Summers (Adri Berry kick) 11:15, 2nd

Critt- Trae Taylor 6 pass from Summers (Berry kick) 2:52, 2nd

Critt - Howard 42 pass from Summers (Summers run) 4:52, 3rd

Critt - Michael Porter 1 run (Berry kick failed) 9:58, 4th

TEAM TOTALS

First Downs: Rockets 17, Lakers 10

Penalties: Rockets 6-50, Lakers 9-65

Rushing: Rockets 14-33, Lakers 37-156

Passing: Rockets 29-36-1, 362; Lakers 4-9-1, 37

Total Yards: Rockets 395, Lakers 193

Fumbles/Lost: Rockets 1-1, Lakers 5-1

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

Rockets: Summers 6-22, Taylor 2-11, McLean 1-(-2), CamRon Belcher 1-(-1), Blake French 1-(-6), Gaige Markham 1-3, Landon Curry 1-5. Lakers: Logan Smith 22-96, Christian McIntosh 1-(-2), Shaun Phillips 5-44, Carter Tudor 9-18. 

Passing

Rockets: Summers 28-35-1, 351; Conner Poindexter 1-1-0, 11. Lakers: Tudor 4-9-1, 37.

Receiving

Rockets: Howard 6-142, Belcher 8-107, Taylor 4-23, Dakota Sosh 1-6, McLean 7-58, Markham 1-9, Eli Lovell 1-6, Porter 1-11. Lakers: Smith 1-7, JayDynn Darcus 2-26, Phillips 1-4.

Defense

CamRon Belcher assist; Landon Curry 7 solos, 8 assists; Josh Marshal solo; Tyree McLean 7 solos, 3 assists, TFL, caused fumble, fumble recovery; Michael Porter solo, assist; Kaiden Travis 6 solos, 3 assists, 3 TFL; Caden Howard 6 solos, 3 assists, TFL; Pierson solo; Brayden Poindexter 8 solos, 3 assists, 2 TFLs; Trae Taylor solo, assist; Noah Byford 2 solos, 2 assists; Trent Todd 2 solos, 2 assists; Eli Lovell solo. 

Records: Crittenden 4-6, Lakers 0-10