Knights Celebrate Coach Olds 100th Win on Senior Night
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Coach Olds Corner: A Grand Ending
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An inspired Knights Defense led by Seniors Trey Knecht, Drew Esler, and Jacob Gibson held off a final Eagle drive to give the Knights a 20-14 win Friday Night at another WKNG Instant Classic to start the post game celebration of the year. The Knights, cheerleaders and student body joined the band to sing the school Fight Song in the end zone. Coach Cook called the Knights to the center of the field to join Coach Olds, Mrs. Olds and WKNG’s Barrett Cohen for a special 100th win post game celebration where Kings Alumni presented Coach Olds with a 100 win banner before Billy Bruns presented coach his own #100 Home Jersey from this years Knights. The team ended the night lining up in the end zone for a special Senior Night traditional walk that was moving for our special group of seniors, underclassmen who have grown to love and admire the Band of Brothers, our senior parents who have supported these young men through their career and Kings Football alumni who watched as they recalled that walk themselves!
After a scoreless first Quarter football Friday night, Walnut Hills scored first in the second quarter to take a 7-0 lead, the Knights answered as Jensen Gebhardt led the Knights down the field connecting twice to Jamire Westbrook, and a 22 yard screen to Justin Crull to set up first and goal at the two. Gebhardt scored on 4th and goal on a quarterback sneak with :37 seconds left in the half to knot the score at 7-7 going into the locker room.
The Knights took possession of the ball in the second half and scored on Zach Hilderbrand 57 yard touchdown pass to Blake Bates. Walnut Hills tied the game on a 65 yard pass from Dez Stewart to Miles Crawley late in the third quarter, setting up the game winning play of the game in the 4th.
Jamire Westbrook in his second series in the wildcat formation connected on the first play with Tight End Blake Bates for an 80 yard touchdown run to put the Knights up for good 20-14. Bates followed defensively in the next series on a second a five play from the Kings 8. Bates picked off a Dez Stewart pass at the 3 yard line to stop a Walnut Hills threat that had moved 59 yards on 10 plays.
The Knights gave the ball back to the Eagles with 4:41 left in the game on the Kings 47 yard line to set up another thrilling finish for the Knights faithful. The Eagles marched downfield, converting on a critcial 4-6 from the Knights 20 yard line aided by a questionable pass interference on an upcatchable ball that set up first and goal at the 10. Walnut Hills progressed to the 6 yard line setting up 4th and goal with :35 seconds left in the game. Star of the game Blake Bates forced a fumble on QB Dez Stewart that was recovered by Trey Knecht at the Knight 17 yard line to secure the win.
It was a wonderful night for football!! Outstanding performance by all 5 seniors and a heroic effort by Blake Bates – 2 catches for 137 yrds, 2 Touchdowns, an interception and forced fumble to lead the Knights to Coach Andy Olds 100th victory. This was a fitting way to end an inspirational season! Our hats off to the Senior Leadership! Those you’ve mentored look forward to making you proud in the future. Thank you for your committment to Kings Football from the Knights Nation!
