Knights Lose Thriller in the Battle for the Paddle
Game Stats: Game Summary | Play-by-Play
Coach Olds Corner: A Great Game….A Tougher Loss
Radio Coverage: WKNG Radio Podcast Replay WKNG Pre-Game WKNG Halftime WKNG Post-Game
Action Photos (Available for Purchase): Mindseye Photography
NewsPaper Coverage: Pulse Journal Cincinnati Enquirer
WKNG Highlight Feature Miss a Game Miss a Lot: Kings Vs. Little Miami
In a heartbreaking defeat, the Knights came up on the short end of the paddle Friday Night dropping an overtime decision 34-31. In what will become an instant classic in the WKNG Archives, the Knights jumped out early as Jonny Brewster and Blake Bates hooked up for the first of 3 catches on the evening on a 50 yard touchdown pass to put Kings in front 1:15 seconds into the game. Evan Berg connected on 2 of his 3 field goals for the evening in the second period to put the Knights within 1 point going into the Locker 13-14. The Knights Defense stepped up in the second and third holding the most explosive offense in the FAVC to only 1 touchdown by putting extreme heat on Kyle Cook. Midway through the 3rd Period Brian Huffman broke lose for a 40 yard touchdown run to put the Knights up 20-14. Jamire Westbrook broke another huge run in the 4th quarter to put the Knights in front 28-21. The Knights offense stalled mid-way through the 4th quarter as the Knights where only able to take 3:30 off the clock in two possessions in the final 8:00 minutes of the game setting up a thrilling finish where the Knights defense battled Kyle Cook until the final minute. Little Miami hampered with 30 yards of penalties in their final possession converted 3 fourth downs to keep the drive alive. The Knights Defense stepped up several times in the final drive forcing Cook out of bounds, forcing illegal passes past the line of scrimmage and sacking him twice for losses, but Cook ran for 30 yards and passed for 81 including 3 big 28, 27 and 21 yard completions in that final drive before taking the ball himself on fourth and goal to bring the Panthers within 1 – 27-28. Gabe Ballard tied the game with a 35 yard extra point kick (forced by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Panthers after the Cook’s touchdown and was tacked onto the extra point attempt) to send the game into overtime.
The Knights took the first possession in overtime and after Jonny Brewster’s touchdown was called back by a late holding penalty. Evan Berg came on to hit his third field goal of the night to put the Knights up by 3. Kyle Cook took matters into his own hands in overtime rushing for 20 yards in 3 plays for a Little Miami touchdown and their first victory over Kings since 1995.
Clearly this game lived up to it’s billing, while disappointed in the outcome, the Knight fan base left proud of the effort left on the field and inspired by the heart this team continues to display week in and week out.
Next up – Walnut Hills comes to the Castle for Senior Night in what proves to be another outstanding FAVC battle as both teams come into the game with identical records in the conference.