SK traveled across Ky 536 tonight to face the Ryle Raiders. From the beginning of the season most felt this would be the deciding game for overall district supremacy and the coveted #1 seed. The game didn't disappoint the casual fan but I'm sure all of the Pioneer contingent left with an empty feeling. SK had an opportunity to put some points on the board late in quarter one but a fumble in the red zone thwarted their opportunity, the quarter ended in a scoreless tie. With Ryle backed up inside their own 20, Zach Carroll picked off a Conner Hempel pass and took it to the house, giving our boys a 7-0 lead. SK proceeded to squib kick, which they recovered at the Ryle 37 yard line. Chad Lawrence proceeded to completed a 33 yard pass to Ryan Winkler down to the Ryle four, three plays later Cody Herald split the uprights on a 19 yard fieldgoal, SK 10, Ryle 0. On Ryle's next possession, Hempel connected with his tight end for a 57 yard completion. Two plays later Hempel put the Raiders on the board, SK 10, Ryle 7. SK punted after three plays, and on Ryle's first play of the drive Hempel scored from 41 yards to put the Raiders on top, 14-10. Late in the half, SK had an impressive scoring drive, moving the ball 56 yards culminating with a 37 yard Herald field goal. At the half, SK trailed 14-13.
SK opened the second half with a solid drive, and on 4th and 11, Lawrence connected on a 30 yard TD to Cody Welte, SK took the lead. SK faked the extra point and Lawrence hit a wide open Jacob Krummen for two, Neers led 21 -14. The lead didn't last long, 79 seconds to be exact, Hempel scored from thirty-six to tie the score at 21. After fumbling the ensuing kickoff, Ryle took over at the SK 33. The defense didn't budge, holding the Raiders to three yards after four plays, the fans were on their feet. Nine plays later Danny Wetter put six on the board, SK 28; Ryle 21. Ryle took over on their fifteen, and on 3rd and six, Travis Elliott finally got on track, breaking a few tackles and out running the SK defenders to the endzone, SK 28; Ryle 28. On the next drive SK took the lead again on a nine yard toss from Chad to Matt Reilly, SK 35; Ryle 28. SK had to have one more defensive stop to win the game and it looked promising after sacking Hempel for a seven yard loss the Neers had Ryle right where they wanted them. On 4th and eleven, Hempel completed a twelve yard pass moving the chains and four plays later Elliott scored from the Pioneer eight yard line, with 1:09 left the score was again tied. Four plays later SK punted to Ryle and the game went to overtime.
Ryle won the coin flip and elected to defend, and it looked like the game could possibly last for eternity since every possession in overtime starts at the ten yard line. Ryle dropped Wetter for a five yard loss on first down, Chad's pass to DJ Rabe fell incomplete in the endzone on down number two. On third down Chad ran to his left for ten setting up a fourth and goal from the five. Coach Marksberry decided to go for it on fourth down and Ryle successfully stopped SK, blanketing the Pioneer receivers. The defensive was stout again but in the end Ryle ended up converting a chip shot field goal to clinch the victory. The call on fourth was a gutsy call by the coaching staff but you play to win the game, and while most were question the decision not to kick, the odds of holding Ryle to a field goal were slim. As we all know it's easier to call the plays from the bleachers, hindsight always being 20/20.
SK will begin a three game home stand to end the regular season, hosting the (3-4) Boone County Rebels at Menifee Stadium this coming Friday.
SIMON KENTON SPORTS NEWS
