Game Summary

 

The JV squad hosted neighboring district rival Loveland Tigers Saturday morning on a beautiful day for football at Kings Stadium. The Knights fell behind early but finished strong, scoring with fourteen seconds left in the game, then completing the drive with a successful two-point conversion to win a come-from-behind victory, 14-13.

 Kings opened the game with the ball, but the Jensen Gebhardt led offense would quickly go three and out. In an all too familiar scene for JV fans, our opponent took their opening possession and promptly marched 69 yards (24 rush, 45 pass) in 13 plays for a touchdown. The PAT was good and the Tigers were up 7-0 with a minute left in the 1st quarter. After the kick-off return by Josh Mathias, the offense took the field at their 36-yard line. This time, the offensive unit started to move the chains, picking up two first downs before a Drew Patterson punt pinned the Tigers on their 14-yard line. Patterson’s punting throughout the day was a positive factor in the battle for field position for the Knights as his average net yardage per kick was 40 yards versus Loveland’s 14.

 Loveland was forced to punt after LB Conner Hakes stopped the Tigers RB on 3rd & 2. Kings would have excellent field position, starting at the Loveland 41-yard line. Again, the offense moved the chains, picking up two more 1st downs as they moved to the Tiger 17-yard line before the offense coughed up the ball on the first of the day’s three turnovers. Loveland was back in business at their 16-yard line. Momentum would swing back to the Knights however as Safety Nick Handorf intercepted a Tiger pass, returning it to the Loveland 29-yard line. From there Gebhardt, behind the offensive line of Nick Wolf, Jerod Kenney, Eric Saul, Paul Koerbel, and Nick Squires needed only two plays as he connected with TE Adam Spohr for 17 yards and Mathias for a 12-yard touchdown reception. Mathias’ 2-point conversion attempt came up short and the score stood Loveland 7, Kings 6. Loveland would drive to the Knights 30-yard line prior to the half but their 47-yard field goal attempt was short.

 After the intermission, the Tiger offense took the field once more. Starting at their 40-yard line, Loveland struck quickly with a 30-yard completion, two plays later, another pass for 16 more yards, moving to the Knights 8-yard line. The opportunistic Knights defense would rise again, as LB Jake Hogue recovered a Tiger fumble on the Kings 15-yard line to end the scoring threat. Three carries by Mathias produced nine yards and the Knights were forced to punt. Patterson’s punt of 43 yards gave the ball back to the Tigers at their 33-yard line. Loveland marched again. This time, the Tigers found the end zone, scoring on 4th & 10 from the Knights 29-yard line. The PAT was wide right, making the score Loveland 13, Kings 6.

 The Knights would fumble the ball on their next series at the start of an eventful 4th quarter. The defense met the challenge. Loveland would go three and out as DE Daniel Kurtzahn sacked the Tiger QB to end their series. At the six-minute mark of the 4th, Kings committed another turnover as an attempted screen pass was intercepted at the Knights 40-yard line. Not to be outdone, Hakes would return the favor on a nice interception at the Kings 21-yard line. With three and a half minutes left in the game, Gebhardt re-entered the game to lead the Knight offense. Five plays yielded no yards and Patterson would have to punt again. The kick traveled 56 yards with no return, but with a 1:32 remaining in the game, Loveland had the ball and the lead. But we are the Knights. Loveland rushed on three successive plays, each time the defense, led by DL Travis Byrd and LB Colt Perry, were there to meet them. Fortunately, Kings had all their time-outs left, expending them after each play. After a Loveland punt of only 14 yards, Kings had the ball on the Tiger 43-yard line. Loveland had only used 23 seconds of the clock. The offense took the field with 1:09 left in the game and no time-outs. The first three plays gained only 4 yards, setting up a crucial 4th & 6. Gebhardt hit WR Parker Phipps on the left sideline for 12-yard gain to keep the drive alive. Next was a 19 yard completion to WR Sawyer Dean to set-up 1st & Goal at the Tiger 8-yard line. Then with 14 seconds remaining, Gebhardt hit Dean once more on an 8-yard scoring strike to pull the Knights within one, 13-12. Kings had to make the 2-point conversion for the win. The offense lined up for the extra point try but was flagged for Illegal Motion, moving them back five yards. Now faced with an 8-yard conversion attempt, the offense lined up once more. Gebhardt found WR Alex Rice in the end zone for the conversion and the Knights took the lead 14-13 with 14 ticks on the clock. Loveland would complete a pass to end the game but came up well short. Final score: Kings 14, Loveland 13.

 Notes…QB Jensen Gebhardt, 12 of 17 for 113 yards, 2 TD, PAT; RB Josh Mathias, 14 carries 50 yards, 2 receptions for 16 yards, TD; WR Sawyer Dean, 2 receptions for 27 yards, TD; WR Alex Rice, 2 receptions for 17 yards, PAT; Defense – leader with 11 tackles, LB Colt Perry; LB Conner Hakes, 6 tackles, INT; Fumble recovery, Jake Hogue; Interceptions, DB Nick Handorf, Hakes; Teams – Kings, 175 yards (62 rush, 113 pass), TOP 16 mins; Loveland, 277 yards (104 rush, 173 pass), TOP 24 mins.

 Next week, versus Glen Este on Saturday, Sep. 25th at Glen Este, 10:00 AM. Season record stands at 2-2.

 “If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride – and never quit, you’ll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards.” – Paul “Bear” Bryant