Game Summary: Stats

The Wilmington Hurricane played host to the JV Knights at Alumni Field Saturday for the 2010 season finale for Kings. The Knights played well enough to win against an opponent that only fielded fourteen players, but an effort that lacked any real emotion from the squad, ultimately did them in as they lost 20-14. With the loss, Kings ended the season with a 5-4 record.

The Knights opened the game on offense after Willie Strosnider’s kick-off return to the Kings 38-yard line. RB’s Colt Perry and Josh Mathias got things started off quickly, covering 22-yards in two plays. Kings ultimately moved to the Hurricane 23-yard line before a fumble ended the drive.

The teams exchanged their next two possessions as the Knights defense forced Wilmington into two three and out’s while the Kings offense struggled. The Knights went for a first down on 4th & 1 on their side of the field as the 1st quarter came to a close but were denied as Perry’s carry fell short. Wilmington would score three plays later on a 31-yard touchdown pass on blown secondary coverage by the Knights. The Hurricane 2-point conversion was no good as Wilmington took a 6-0 lead a minute into the 2nd quarter.

After the Knights went three and out, Wilmington started their next drive at their 35-yard line. The defensive secondary rebounded as Willie Strosnider intercepted a pass giving the offense excellent field position on the Hurricane 32-yard line. QB Zach Mueller hit WR Alex Rice for a 20-yard gain, and a few plays later connected with Mathias on an 18-yard scoring strike. Mueller would take the ball in on the 2-point conversion and the Knights jumped to an 8-6 lead, which was the score at half.

The 3rd quarter was all Hurricane. Wilmington took the 2nd half kick-off and marched 69 yards over the next seven minutes, reaching the Knights 3-yard line. Penalties stopped the ‘Cane as they eventually turned the ball over on downs at the Knights 5-yard line. Unfortunately on the next two plays the Knights offense went backwards as Wilmington’s defense recorded a safety, knotting the score at 8-8.  After Tommy Grosso’s kick-off, the Hurricane were immediately knocking on the door once more. They would reach the Knight 27-yard line before being stopped by LB Jake Hogue’s interception. Kings offensive woes continued though as a bad snap on the ensuing punt was recovered by Wilmington at the Kings 16-yard line. Two plays later they scored and the score stood Wilmington 14, Kings 8. Net, over the first eleven minutes of the 2nd half, Wilmington held the ball for nine minutes, had 90 yards of offense, recorded a safety and scored a touchdown. Kings, though registering two interceptions, had the ball for just two minutes and had negative yardage. The good news though was we were still in the ballgame.

Things got better as the 4th quarter got underway. WR Parker Phipps got the offense jump-started with a kick-off return to the Hurricane 40-yard line. A Wilmington penalty moved the ball another 5 yards. From there, Perry picked up 15 yards and Mueller would do the rest, rushing on three consecutive plays for the score. After a five-minute delay, (you had to be there), Grosso’s PAT was no good and the score was tied 14 a piece. Wilmington was forced to punt on their next series and the Knights got the ball back with five and half minutes left in the game. Mueller was knocked out of the game on the first play of the series however and the drive stalled. The Hurricane moved the ball in short order to the Knight 5-yard line. Again the defense stiffened as Mathias intercepted a pass in the end zone for a touchback. Kings had the ball again with just 1:30 on the clock. The Knights first play from scrimmage went badly as the attempted pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Kings immediately got the ball back and their final drive likewise ended in an interception. Final score: Wilmington 20, Kings 14.

Notes…QB Zach Mueller, 3 of 11 for 44 yards, 7 carries for 29 yards, 2 TD (1 pass, 1 rushing), PAT (rush); RB Josh Mathias, 14 carries 48 yards, 1 recetion for 18 yards, TD (rec); Defense – leaders with 4 tackles, LB’s Max Lerer, Colt Perry, DB’s  Austin Brown, Seth Willen; Interceptions, DB’s Josh Mathias, Willie Strosnider, LB Jake Hogue; Teams: Kings, 142 yards (98 rush, 44 pass), TOP 16 mins; Wilmington, 256 yards (135 rush, 121 pass), TOP 24 mins.

Next week: Turpin game cancelled (at Turpin’s request). Season record, 5-4.

From the author: Congratulations to the players and coaches on their season. I would also like to personally thank everyone for the support and comments over the last few years and for putting up with my ramblings. I have enjoyed being a part of it. As a community we should feel very proud of these young men. With that, the torch is now passed to the very capable crew at WKNG who will cover the boys from here on out.

Now men, help the Varsity get ready. BEAT TURPIN!!