Kings Football » Varsity

Game Summary: Recap

Coach Olds Corner:   The eyes are upon us….all of us!

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Kings welcomed West Carrollton to the Castle Friday night for the eighth edition of Friday Night Lights in the 2011 campaign. After a weather delay that pushed back the start time, the Knights jumped on the Pirates early, delivering successive blows with the offensive and defensive units on their way to a 45-20 win.

Kings again set the tone early with an impressive opening drive, going 65 yards in 10 plays to get on the scoreboard. The drive was fueled primarily by Senior RB Brian Huffman (92 yards, 3 TD) who was responsible for forty yards during the series, covering the final seventeen on a TD run off the right-side of the line anchored by linemen Ryan Anthony, Kennedy Cook and Nick Squires.  The Pirates first possession resulted in a forced fumble by LB Sean Horan and recovered by Senior DB Josh Mathias (6 tackles, 2 assists, FR) at the West Carrollton 43-yard line. The Knights quickly took advantage of the miscue as QB Jensen Gebhardt (8-10, 111 yards, TD) hit WR/TE Nick Bird for a 40-yard completion. Huffman would follow Cook into the end zone as Kings jumped to an early 14-0 lead. The Pirates struck back however as West Carrollton’s Randy Stites returned the ensuing kick-off 96-yards for a score. The 1^st quarter fireworks weren’t over as Gebhardt found WR Zach Hilderbrand for a 12-yard scoring strike to cap the Knights third possession of the game.

In early 2nd quarter action, Kings would score on their fourth consecutive possession as Huffman rushed up the middle for his third TD of the game giving Kings a 28-7 lead. The rest of the quarter was a sloppy affair as the Knights turned the ball over three times and were unable to capitalize on a solid defensive effort highlighted by Hilderbrand’s two interceptions. Half-time score, Kings 28, West Carrollton 7.

The defense started the action in the 2^nd half on the Pirates first possession as DL Garrett Ackerman and Brady Vanover recorded sacks. On 4^th down Horan recovered a Pirate fumble in the end zone for a defensive touchdown. It was Horan again on the next series, stopping West Carrollton with an interception at the Knights 25-yard line. The Pirates scored at the four-minute mark in the quarter after an eight play, 63-yard drive.

The ensuing kick-off was returned 47 yards by Sophomore Mike Ovington setting up the the Knights offense, now being led by Junior QB Drew Patterson (5-8, 119 yards, TD), in good field position. Patterson hit WR Willie Strosnider for a 25-yard gain. Kings eventually settled for a 37-yard FG by Evan Berg to take a 38-13 lead. The Pirates answered with an eight play, eighty yard scoring drive of their own as the teams battled back and forth. After carries by RB’s Colt Perry (4 attempts, 24 yards) and Ovington ( 11 attempts, 90 yards) on Kings next possession, a scrambling Patterson found Strosnider again, this time for a 55-yard touchdown down the right sideline to wrap-up the scoring for the game.

Final score: Kings 45, West Carrollton 20.

Kings welcomes the Pirates to Knight Stadium for a final contest between these two teams. West Carrollton will become a full member of the Greater Western Ohio Conference (GWOC) South next season.

Pre-Game

West Carrollton Pirates

Division II, Region 8

Head Coach: Rob Berger (12-16, third year @ West Carrollton)

2010 Record: 1-9, GWOC – Independent status

2011 Record: 3-4

The Pirates roll into this week’s match-up having won two of their last three games against FAVC opponents. They return 14 starters from last year’s squad and rely on several two-way starters.

Offense: Over the last several games West Carrollton has been led by QB Chad Vannest. who has thrown for over 300 yards with 2 TD’s and 2 INT’s in 2011. Vannest has picked up four rushing TD’s as well while rushing for 238 yards season-to-date. Sophomore Vince Thompson and Junior Connor Myslowski have also taken snaps behind center. The Pirates leading rusher is Senior Joss Woss who has averaged over four yards per attempt on his way to 325 yards. Look for fellow Senior Randy Stites to pick up additional carries as his number has been called more frequently during the last two games. When the Pirates go to the air, Myslowski and Stites have been the favorite targets with each recording three TD receptions. Overall, West Carrollton averages 250 yards/game on offense with a run/pass balance of 69/31.

Special Teams: Stites has been the leading kick-off return man averaging over 28 yards per return, including a 93-yard TD against Miamisburg in week 3. The Kicking game rests with Senior Eric Shelton who is 17/19 on PAT’s and 2/6 on FG’s. Shelton averages about 32 yards per punt attempt.

Defense: Statistically, the Pirates stand 9^th in the 18 team GWOC allowing 324 yards/game, 236 yards rushing and 88 yards passing while giving up 26 points per contest. The defensive line is anchored Senior Zach Rabb with 21 solo tackles. On the second level, Junior LB Blake Craig leads the team and has 24 solo tackles to his credit. The Secondary is led by Stites with four interceptions.

Game Summary: Recap

Coach Olds Corner:   A Great Crowd, a Great Night, and a Great Game!

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Vote For Jensen Gebhardt: WLWT Primetime Performer of the Week

What a beautiful night for football — warm temperature, SRO Homecoming crowd at Knights Stadium, and a battle of undefeated squads — as the Knights hosted the Walnut Hills Eagles. Kings put together a nearly flawless first half of football on their way to a 23-0 victory. Offensively, the Knights put up nearly 300 yards in offense, compiling over 200 yards in the first half. For the game, Kings controlled the ball for almost 36 minutes, a 3-1 advantage over the Eagles. The Knights defense held the opponent scoreless for the third time this season while producing five turnovers, a safety and holding Walnut Hills to just 43 yards total offense, including a minus 1 yard rushing.

Kings set the tone early with an impressive opening drive, consuming nearly eight minutes while going 65 yards in 14 plays. The Knights used all facets of the offense as RB’s Brian Huffman and Nick Collado carried the ball for 20 yards and QB Jensen Gebhardt went 5-5 for the series, hitting receivers Zach Hilderbrand, Larry Southall, Collado, and Justin Crull. The drive was highlighted by two 4^th down conversions and capped off with a Gebhardt to Crull 14–yard TD reception.

After a three & out by the Eagles, Kings would take the ball across mid-field before punting the ball away. Walnut Hills went three & out a second time. On their third possession, the Knights started at their 40-yard line and proceeded to march sixty yards in twelve plays. Again, the offense relied on the legs of Huffman and Collado. Gebhardt was perfect once more, going 4-4, punctuating the series with a pinpoint pass to Hilderbrand for a 14-yard TD. Hilderbrand would make another catch a few plays later as he intercepted a Walnut Hills pass at the Eagles 36-yard line with three minutes left in the half. Huffman and Collado would follow their offensive line over the next five plays with Huffman covering the final 16-yards on a TD run up the middle. Evan Berg’s PAT was good and the score was 21-0 as the teams went to half. The Knights generated over 200 yards of offense to the Eagles nine and held possession for twenty of the 24 minutes in the half.

Homecoming activities were highlighted by DE Max DeMumbrum, along with Jordan Burke, winning King and Queens honors. It should be noted that Junior OL Ryan “Chicken” Anthony escorted not one, but two lovely young ladies during the festivities due to an unfortunate 1^st half injury to fellow OL Andrew Ruschau. Who says the QB always gets the girls….

Getting back to the game, after an inteception by DB Nick Handorf, who would get two during the evening, the Knights opening drive of the 2^nd half began at the Eagles 26-yard line. The offense would fall short however as Collado was stopped at the goal line on 4^th down. The defense rose to the challenge however as LB Sean Horan would stop the ball-carrier in the end zone two plays later for a safety, and an end to the scoring for the night, at the 6-minute mark of the 3^rd period. Kings was unable to score the rest of the way as penalties and sacks stopped promising drives. The Knights defense continued their dominant play as LB Austin Copeland and DB Mason Barker also recorded interceptions further frustrating the Eagles hopes.

Final score: Kings 23, Walnut Hills 0.

Homecoming Week…battle of undefeated teams…something’s got to give…should be a great game at the Castle!

Pre-Game

Walnut Hills Eagles

Division I, Region 4

Head Coach: George Kontsis (18-18, fourth year @ Walnut Hills)

2010 Record: 5-5, 1-3, FAVC-Cardinal

2011 Record: 6-0

This week’s match-up looks to be a good one. The Eagles, fresh off a victory over previously unbeaten Wilmington, boast the FAVC’s leading all-purpose yardage leader in Kenneth Davis and sack leader in Jason Stargell, Jr. Kings brings its conference leading offensive and defensive squads to the contest.

Offense: Walnut Hills is led by RB Kenneth Davis (highlight video, stats), who has amassed 16 TD’s thus far in 2011 – 12 rushing, 2 receiving, and 2 kick returns. Davis, who has six TD’s over 90 yards in his career and is one of the fastest players in southwest Ohio, is responsible for 60% of the Eagles offense and special teams yardage. When Davis isn’t running the ball look for Kamree Maul to pick-up carries. Maul has scored 4 TD’s and averages over 4 yards per carry. First year starter Jake Desch handles QB duties and has completed 53% of his passes for 633 yards with 7 TD’s and 4 INT’s. His favorite targets to date have been WR Carlitos Anderson (12 receptions, 204 yards, TD) and Davis. The running game is powered by an offensive line with excellent size up front, averaging over 250 pounds per man.

Special Teams: Davis is a dangerous weapon for the Eagles. His two returns this season give him eight career return TD’s. The Kicking game, led by Adam Brown, is 21/24 on PAT’s and 5/6 on FG’s. Punts have averaged about 35 yards per attempt.

Defense: The top-lines for the Eagles: the conference’s 4^th rated defense has allowed 206 yards/game, 110 yards rushing and 96 yards passing while giving up only 14 points per contest. The defensive unit has good size and speed overall and boasts six fumble recoveries, six interceptions, and sixteen sacks in 2011. The defensive line is anchored by 290 lb. Isaiah Johnson, and DE’s Jason Stargell, Jr., and Kevin DeWalt. Stargell leads the team and conference in sacks with 7.5 and LB James Smith has recorded 3 INT’s.

Game Summary: Recap

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The final season of FAVC play finally gets underway this week with the “Battle for the Paddle’ game against the Little Miami Panthers. Game time 7:30 pm at Little Miami’s Hi-Five Field.

Article Contributed by Scott Willen

Pre-Game

Little Miami Panthers

Division II, Region 8

Head Coach: Rob Begley (1-4, first season at Little Miami)

2010 Record: 4-6, 0-4, FAVC-Buckeye

2011 Record: 1-4

Little Miami enters the game on a four game losing streak after a season opening win over Monroe. Kings enters the contest at 5-0 and brings their conference leading offense and defense to the tilt.

Offense: The Panthers are led by Senior QB Bo Wilburn, who has thrown for over 600 yards in Little Miami’s spread offense through the half-way point of the season. Wilburn is also a run-threat every time he drops back as witnessed last week against Ross when he rushed for over 100 yards. He is protected by an offensive line led by Senior’s Dane Bitzer and Casey Marsh. Wilburn’s favorite target has been Junior CJ Hobbs, who leads the team with nine receptions (through four games) and a TD. Look for RB’s Matt McDonald and Logan Cain to get their touches as well. Through the first four games, Little Miami rushed the ball 60% of the time.

The Kicking game, anchored by Tyler Shackelford, is 8-8 on PAT’s and 3-4 on FG’s. Punts have averaged about 34 yards per attempt.

Defense: The top-lines for the Panthers: the defense has allowed over 400 yards/game, roughly 300 yards rushing and 100 yards passing, while giving up 33 points per contest. Little Miami has recovered one fumble, has two INT’s and recorded four sacks. Little Miami runs a 4-2-5 base defense.

Game Summary: Recap

Coach Olds Corner: No Turf, No Problem

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 The Knights traveled to the far Eastside on Friday night and came away with a convincing 30-0 victory over Glen Este. Despite the muddy turf, the defense put on another impressive show, limiting one of FAVC’s top rushing offenses to 139 yards, and 152 yards in total – nearly 200 yards below their average coming into the game. The Trojans crossed mid-field only twice, reaching the Knights 46-yard line both times, but could go no further. RB Jamire Westbrook and the offensive line enjoyed another good night, working together to produce 166 yards in total rushing offense. QB Jensen Geghardt threw for 103 yards, including an 11-yard TD pass to WR Zach Hilderbrand.

Kings got on the board early. After Senior LB Sean Horan (3 tackles, 7 asst, 1.5 TFL, 2 FR) stopped a Trojan fake punt attempt, the Knights took over at Glen Este’s 43-yard line. Seven plays later, Kicker Evan Berg connected from 34-yards out to give Kings a 3-0 lead. It was all the Knights would need. Kings got the ball back at their 33-yard line minutes later. Two Westbrook carries, one for 12 yards, followed by a 55-yard touchdown run and the Knights were ahead 9-0. The Trojans ensuing possession was cut short by a Horan fumble recovery at the Glen Este 33-yard line. The Knights drive would end with Gebhardt hitting Hilderbrand for a touchdown with nine minutes left in the 2^nd quarter. Things did not get much better for Glen Este the rest of the half as two more possessions resulted in just 27 yards as LB Max Lerer (7 tackles, 2 asst, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, LB Austin Copeland (4 tackles, 6 asst) and DT Brady Vanover (3 tackles, 2 asst, 2 TFL, 1 sack) clamped down on the Trojan offense.

The Knights opened the second half with the ball, but were forced to punt after reaching the Glen Este 49-yard line. Special teams would deliver again as Punter Zach Hilderbrand did a nice job of pinning the Trojans down at their 10-yard line. Three plays later DE Tommy Schnee would scoop up a Glen Este fumble and return it 5-yards for a Knights defensive touchdown, giving Kings a 23-0 lead at the seven minute mark of the 3^rd quarter. The teams traded possessions on the now muddied turf before Kings took possession at the end of the period on their own 34-yard line.

Westbrook would carry four straight times to open the 4^th quarter, eventually setting up a 4^th & 4 at the Trojans 25-yard line. The offense would deliver on the conversion attempt as Gebhardt found WR/TE Nick Bird on a 20-yard gain to keep the chains moving. Westbrook covered the final 5-yards on the next play, picking up his second touchdown of the night and providing the final margin of victory, 30-0.

The night’s excitement was not over for the Knights defense however as LB Horan recovered his second fumble of the game on Glen Este’s next possession, returning it 31-yards to the Trojan 15-yard line to put an exclamation point on the evening.

Final score: Kings 30, Glen Este 0.

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Click to Vote Jamire Westbrook Blitz5 Prime Time Performer of the Week

Article Contributed by Scott Willen

It is a battle run-oriented teams as the Knights travel to Glen Este to take on the Trojans in the final tune-up before beginning the final season of FAVC-Cardinal division play. Game time 7:30 pm.

Pre-Game

Glen Este Trojans

Division I, Region 4

Head Coach: Zak Taylor (49-30, eighth season at Glen Este)

2010 Record: 4-6, 2-3, FAVC-Buckeye

2011 Record: 3-1

The Trojans are off to a fast start in 2011 with a 3-1 record. Their lone loss came at the hands of Mason in week 3. They boast two of the Top 10 rushers in the FAVC. Glen Este runs the Wing-T offense, which can be difficult to defend as opposing teams are not used to seeing the variety of options and misdirection the scheme presents. Considering the run-oriented offenses of both teams (GE 90%, Kings 75%), get to the game on time as the game clock may not stop often.

Offense: Glen Este’s conference leading ground game is led by RB Alec Scardina, who has amassed impressive statistics through the first four weeks. Scardina has averaged 6.6 yards per carry while compiling 544 yards and eight TD’s on the ground. He also has averaged nearly 17 yards per catch with two TD receptions to his credit. FB Drew Byrd has averaged 6.5 yards per carry while picking-up 293 yards and four TD’s. The Trojan’s QB, Junior Joey Speigel, may not throw often in the Wing-T set (16-21, 219 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT), but has been very effective on play-action. Glen Este’s run/pass balance for the 2011 season-to-date is 90/10. The Wing-T relies on an agile OL, employing a lot of trapping, angle blocking, pulling and double-team. Defensively you have to execute your assignment on each and every play as the scheme typically has strong formation tendencies despite a lot of deceptive motion, and traditionally take the FB out of the game to force the offense into a more one-dimensional attack.

Special Teams are also led by Scardina as he is the Trojan’s leading Kick-off and Punt return man. The Kicking game is 14-16 on PAT’s and 1-1 on FG’s. Punts averaged about 33 yards per attempt.

Defense: The top-lines for the Trojans: the conference’s 5^th rated defense has allowed 227 yards/game, 163 yards rushing and 64 yards passing while giving up 16 points per contest. Junior Nate Tilley has three of the team’s five INT’s on the year. Glen Este has also recovered two fumbles and recorded two sacks.