Walnut Hills visited Kings Stadium on another beautiful Saturday morning for football. Kings won the game 28-20, scoring on the ground, via the pass, and with defense. The game marked the first time this season the Knights had a positive turnover margin.

The game didn’t start well for the Knights though as the opening kick-off was fumbled and recovered by the Eagles at the Kings 19-yard line. The defense responded to the challenge however as DB Andrew Dalton intercepted an Eagles pass to end the threat as quickly as it started. The Knights offense took the field and proceeded to move 82 yards over the next 12 plays before the drive stalled at the Walnut Hills 12-yard line. The Eagles were forced to punt by a stout Kings defense and the Knights took over on their 33-yard line for their second possession of the game. This time Kings would finish their work, scoring on a 14-yard Gebhardt-to-Mathias pass play minutes into the 2nd quarter giving the Knights a 6-0 lead.

After Tommy Grosso’s kick-off, Walnut Hills tore off large chunks of yardage on the ground, moving 51 yards on four rushing attempts, setting up a 3rd & 8 from Knight 14-yard line. A bad snap from center resulted in a loss of 18 yards to the Kings 32-yard line. DB Nick Handorf then intercepted the 4th down pass in the end zone to end the Eagles drive. Kings followed with a quick drive of their own as Gebhardt hit TE Adam Spohr for 23 yards, RB Seth Willen tallied 18 yards on the ground, and Gebhardt connected with RB Colt Perry for seven more yards to move the ball to the Eagles 17-yard line. That would be as far as the Knights went though as a Gebhardt pass was intercepted at the Walnut Hills 3-yard line to end the series.

The Knight defense contributed again on the ensuing Eagles possession as LB Max Lerer stripped the ball from the ball-carrier and rumbled 14 yards for a defensive touchdown. The Knights lead stretched to 12-0. The defense produced another turnover just two plays later as DB Tomy Grosso intercepted a long Eagles pass giving the ball back to the Knights at their 30-yard line with just under a minute left in the half.  QB Gebhardt and WR Alex Rice connected on four straight pass plays, moving the ball to the Walnut Hills 16-yard line before a Knights penalty would help end the drive as the 1st half came to a close. Half-time score: Kings 12, Walnut Hills 0.

The teams exchanged possessions to open the 3rd period. Walnut finally got on the board with a 7-play, 86-yard drive on their second series of the quarter to make the score 12-7. The Knights next possession resulted in three and out, but not before Gebhardt’s punt pinned the Eagles on their 14-yard line. The defense held Walnut Hills to a three and out, setting the Kings offense up at the Eagle 37-yard line after a nice punt return by Mathias. RB Colt Perry would take it from there, eventually scoring on a 41-yard run down the left-side. QB Zach Mueller connected with Perry on the 2-point conversion to make the score Kings 20, Walnut Hills 7 as the 4th quarter got underway.

Aided by two Knights penalties, the Eagles responded with a 67-yard scoring drive to keep them in the game. The PAT was good and the score stood Kings 20, Walnut Hills 14 with six minutes left to play. The Knights went three and out and the Kings faithful were growing nervous. The punt team would put those fears to rest as Handorf separated the ball from the punt returner on a perfectly timed hit. DB Drew Schueler recovered the loose ball on the Eagle 28-yard line. The offense marched on the legs of Perry, who carried six straight times behind his offensive line to score with a minute left in the game. Gebhardt would carry the ball for a successful 2-point conversion making the score 28-14. Walnut Hills responded with a quick 59-yard drive. The attempted on-side kick was covered up by Sawyer Dean to finish the game. Final score: Kings 28, Walnut Hills 20.

Notes…QB Jensen Gebhardt, 13 of 24 for 150 yards, 5 carries for 21 yards, TD, PAT (rush), INT; RB Colt Perry, 7 carries 69 yards, 2 TD, PAT (reception); RB Josh Mathias, 11 carries 38 yards, TD (reception); WR Alex Rice, 8 receptions for 81 yards; Defense – leader with 8 tackles, LB Colt Perry; LB Max Lerer and DB Austin Brown, 6 tackles; Fumble recovery, DB Drew Schueler, Max Lerer; INT’s, Andrew Dalton, Tommy Grosso, Nick Handorf; Defensive TD – Max Lerer; Teams – Kings, 324 yards (171 rush, 153 pass), TOP 20 mins; Walnut Hills, 263 yards (161 rush, 102 pass), TOP 20 mins.

Next week, versus West Carrollton on Saturday, Oct 16th at Kings Stadium, 10:00 AM. Season record, 4-3.

Game Summary

“There are three things an athlete must do. You must be in physical condition… You must execute properly and quickly the fundamentals… and you must have eagerness to sacrifice personal interests or glory for the welfare of the team”

– John Wooden