The Pioneers opened the 2010 playoffs against the Tates Creek Commodores, and it took an entire team effort to seal the 23-13 victory
SK was able to get on the board at the 5:18 mark of quarter one. The Neers marched sixty-three yards and ended with Chad Lawrence hooking up with Ryan Winkler for the 36 yard score. SK7; TC0
With 10:45 left in the half Tates Creek finished off a 53 yard drive, scoring on a pass from the fourteen yard line to tie the game at seven.
Zach Carroll proceeded to run the ensuing kicoff back to the Creek fifteen but SK was held to a 26 yard field goal by Cody Herald, Neers led 10-7 with 8:53 remaining in the half.
Creek then drove to the Pioneers' one yard line. On 3rd and goal SK dodged a bullet when the defense forced a fumble that was recoverd by Zach Carroll in the end zone.
After trading possessions SK moved the skin fifty yards but bogged down in the red zone. Herald once again converted on a 26 yard field goal with :21 left to push the halftime lead to six. SK 13; TC 7
The second half opened with some trickery, when TC recovered the on side kick at the SK 43 yard line. A few plays later the Dores faced a 3rd and goal from the fifteen and were able to score via the pass at the 8:51 mark of the third. Austin Baldwin then blocked the extra point, the game was tied at 13.
TC decided to go to the well again with the on side kick but the ball didn't travel the needed ten yards and SK took over at their opponent's forty-nine. Less than four minutes ticked off the clock during the drive but once again the Neers couldn't score a TD in the redzone. Herald took advantage of his opportunity converting another 26 yard field goal withe 4:56 left, SK led 16-13.
On the next kickoff, Tates Creek muffed the attempt and SK was back in business at midfield. SK again moved the ball down to the redzone but on third and goal were penalized for offensive pass interference. The Neers attempted another field goal from thirty-five yards out but this time Herald was unable to convert. TC took over at the twenty.
Two plays later, in what was likely the play of the game, Jontez Jones scored what appeared to be a seventy-six yard touchdown but it was nullified by a block in the back. Creek was unable to move the chains and SK's defense forced them into a turnover on downs.
The next SK drive resulted in two first downs but they were forced to punt and that's when the defense once again stood tall and the special teams put the game out of reach. On a third and six, Creek threw a short pass that resulted in a nine yard loss forciing a punt. The snap then sailed over the head of the TC punter, and speedy Derek Mills scooped up the ball at the twenty-one and followed a convoy in to the promise land. After converting the extra point SK led 23-13.
The SK defense followed up where they left off, sacking TC on consecutive plays. The first from Parker Deters for a loss of thirteen, then Baldwin for a loss of ten. Creek punted and SK was able nail down two first downs to run the clock to triple zeros.
SK moves on to the second round of the KHSAA playoffs, and will square off with a familiar foe, Henry Clay. SK defeated the Blue Devils on September 17, by a final score of 21-18. Henry Clay hasn't lost since that night and have been scoring in droves, averaging 51 point per game during their winning streak. The game will be in Lexington, likely a 7:30 start so fill up the tank and head down for this 2nd round tilt.
Scoring
TC...0...7...6...0...13
SK...7...6...3...7...23
1st
SK Ryan Winkler 36 yd pass from Chad Lawrence (Cody Herald kick is good) 5:18
2nd
TC 14 yard pass (kick good) 10:45
SK Cody Herald 26 yd field goal 8:52
SK Cody Herald 26 yd field goal :21
3rd
TC Crutcher 15 yard pass from Berry (kick blocked) 8:51
SK Cody Herald 26 yd field goal 4:56
4th
SK Mills 21 yd fumble return (Cody Herald kick is good)
Unofficial stats:
Passing
Lawrence 17-22-159-1TD
Rushing
Lawrence 18-80
Wetter 9-30
Crane 2-14
Baldwin 2-6
Receiving
Winkler 9-105 TD
Crane 2-19
Reilly 2-2
Welte 1-13
Baldwin 1-9
Rabe 1-9
Carroll 1-2
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