Game Stats 

The Harrison Wildcats rolled into Kings Stadium for the JV’s 2010 home opener and left with a hard-fought 12-6 victory over the Knights. Harrison jumped to a 12-0 1st quarter lead and held off a Knights drive in the closing minutes of the game for the win. The ‘Cats relied on a strong running game, rushing for 169 yards (3.5/yds per carry), as they controlled the clock for 33 of the game’s 48 minutes. The Knights also had four turnovers in the game.

 

After a touchback to open the game, the Knights offense would gain one first down before punting the ball away. Harrison promptly marched 74 yards (51 rush, 23 pass) in 12 plays. The 2-point conversion attempt was incomplete and Harrison took an early 6-0 lead with four minutes left in the opening quarter. The ensuing Wildcats kick-off was fielded on the Kings 1-yard line and returned to the eight. Three plays later a Knights turnover gave the ball back to Harrison at the Kings 19-yard line. The Wildcats needed only three rushing attempts to punch it into the end zone. The 2-point conversion was again no good and the score was Harrison 12, Kings 0 with less than a minute left in the 1st period.

 

Kings would open the 2nd quarter with a three and out. DL Travis Byrd then forced a fumble that was recovered by Adam Spohr on the Harrison 41-yard line. The Knights offense couldn’t capitalize however and again went three and out. Punter Drew Patterson backed the Wildcats up to their own 6-yard line though as the Harrison offense took the field. The Knights would lose the battle for field position as the Wildcats completed a 73-yard pass down the left-sideline. Safety Seth Willen made the touchdown saving tackle on the Knights 20. Three plays later, DB Josh Mathias intercepted a pass at the Kings 2-yard line only to lose the ball on the return. The defense would rise again as LB’s Conner Hakes, Jake Hogue and DB Nick Handorf would make stops to keep Harrison out of the end zone. The Knights offense got the ball back on their 7-yard line. Three plays later another Kings turnover gave the Wildcats excellent field position in the red zone. Five rushing attempts moved the ball to the Knights 3-yard line where on 3rd and Goal, Hakes would tackle the runner for a loss of two yards. The 4th down play resulted in an incomplete pass and the Knights had dodged another bullet as the 1st half came to a close. Halftime score, Harrison 12, Kings 0.

 

Third quarter action opened with Harrison moving 50 yards in 12 plays, almost all on the ground, to the Knights 6-yard line. Again, the defense would hold as DB Willie Strosnider intercepted a pass, giving the Knights possession on their 18-yard line. This time, the offense responded as Mathias carried the Knights down to the Wildcat 36. QB Zach Mueller then connected with WR Alex Rice on a nice 36-yard touchdown pass. The 2-point conversion was no good and as the 3rd quarter came to a close it was Harrison 12, Kings 6.

 

Harrison’s opening possession of the final period ended at their 24-yard line as Conner Goodpaster made a terrific play on a Wildcat screen pass that resulted in a loss of 14 yards. The offense had good field position as they took the field at Harrison’s 48. The offense couldn’t get anything going however and went three and out. After the Hakes punt and a Harrison penalty, the Wildcats were pinned deep in their territory at their 10-yard line. Their offense responded against a tired Kings defense, eating up nearly six minutes of clock before punting the ball to the Knights. As testament to never giving up, Kings, despite being statistically dominated, had the ball with three and half minutes left in the game, all their time-outs, and the opportunity to win. The Knights offense moved the ball primarily on the legs of Mathias and Mueller to the Wildcat 25-yard line but would get no closer as the game came to a close. Final score, Harrison 12, Kings 6.

 

Notes…QB Drew Patterson, 3 of 10 for 14 yards, INT; QB Zach Mueller, 3 of 7 for 42 yards, TD; RB Josh Mathias, 17 carries 71 yards; WR Alex Rice, 2 receptions for 39 yards, TD; Defense; leader with 8 tackles, DL Travis Byrd; several with 5 tackles (LB’s Conner Hakes, Jake Hogue, DB Seth Willen); Fumble recovery, Adam Spohr; Interceptions, Mathias, DB Willie Strosnider. Team; Harrison, 290 yards offense on 68 plays; Kings, 155 yards on 41 plays.

 

Next week, versus Loveland on Saturday, Sep. 18th at Kings, 10:00 AM. Season record stands at 1-2.