Player of the Game | King’s
Junior running back Caleb Perry provided a second-half spark for the King’s offense, finishing with 117 yards on 15 carries. Perry had nine runs that went for a first down or touchdown and scored the only score for King’s on a 3-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter. The touchdown capped a 12 play, 72 yard drive that featured six runs by Perry.
Player of the Game | Royal
Joseph Lang, a 6-foot-5 running back/corner back, was a thorn in the side for King’s on both sides of the ball. Lang finished with 64 rushing yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns in the first quarter to help Royal build an early lead. On defense, Lang grabbed two interceptions – the second of which he ran back for a 58-yard score that all but sealed the victory for Royal.
Key Play
Joseph Lang’s second interception of the game, all but sealed the contest’s outcome. The King’s offense, which found success moving the ball down the field in the second half, was near midfield when Lang intercepted King’s quarterback Koa Wilkins for the second time in the contest. Lang ran his second pick back 58 yards for a touchdown that put Royal up 28-7 with about five minutes left in the game.
Turning Point
Despite two turnovers and a 21-0 deficit in the first half, the King’s offense found a rhythm late in the second quarter. With a chance to get some points before halftime, King’s lined up for a 4th and 1 after an 11-yard pass from Koa Wilkins to Edmund Sundquist that, intially, appeared to be a first down. After a measurement by the referees, it was ruled fourth down and what must have been an inch at most.
King’s went for it but was stuffed on a fourth-down run, giving the ball back to Royal. The King’s defense kept Royal from scoring on a field goal as time expired but still faced an uphill battle in the second half.
He said it
“I think we showed true character in that third quarter: coming out and running the ball and not giving up. Obviously, the first half turnovers absolutely just decimates us. The defense found a way to start clicking, especially at the end of the second and in the third. What stands out to me is the attitude and tenacity of the football team to never give up and that makes me proud as a coach.”
– King’s head coach Jim Shapiro, on the Knights’ improvement and will in the second half.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
