SK hosted the Holmes Bulldogs for a Homecoming tilt and were impressive winning by a score of 31-7. What's more impressive is the fact that the game only lasted twenty-four minutes. The only force that can prove the cliche, "this is a game of two halves", is Mother Nature and her nasty attitude.
SK's first possession was less than impressive, three plays and a punt that led to a three and out by the Bulldogs offense. SK's second possession started at their own 15. After one first down and sixteen yards, QB Brennan Kuntz threw for a completion that resulted in a catch, then a fumble and a 40 yard TD return for the Dogs. At this point we had a game on our hands but it didn't last long.
SK took over at their own twenty-eight after the HHS kickoff and proceeded to march the ball 72 yards in 9 plays (34 yards on the ground, 53 via the air), capped off by a Wassom twelve yard TD with 3:28 remaining in the first quarter. Huesman caught the two point conversion for a 8-7 SK lead.
The Holmes offense then gained two first downs before punting, SK took over at their own 20. It took one play for Brennan Kuntz to find RB Andrew Sampson on the screen pass. Eighty yards later the Neers took a 14-7 lead, Huesman again converted the two pointer for a 16-7 SK lead.
The second half started and the SK defense held the Dogs to three plays and a punt. SK took over at thier 33 yard line. Two incompletions led to a 3rd and 10 pass completion from Kuntz to Winkler for a 67 yard TD, PAT was good, 23-7 with 9:34 left in the half, I mean game.
SK kicked off and the Dogs were called for a penalty on the return which placed them a their own nine yard line. Holmes moved the chains for one first down before a short punt landed at their thirty-one yard line. One twelve yard run by Kuntz and a 19 yard TD run by Sampson put the Neers up 29-7. Swanson botched the PAT snap but put his playmaking abilities on display, beating the Holmes defenders to the pylon, SK 31, Holmes 7 with 5:16 left in the half.
SK made one last push prior to the half but a Holmes sack forced them to punt and the half ended.
When the two teams came back on the field after the elongated Homecoming halftime, the skies lit up with electric. I don't know the exact rules but I believe their is a thirty minute wait after a lightning strike but the officials decided to end the game due to a storm system moving into the area.
Plenty of positives offensively in 2012. After scoring a total of 101 points during the 2011 campaign, the 2012 version has tallied 114 points after four games (28.5 pts/game). Meanwhile the defense, led by Sr. LB, Jared Bowling and Jr. LB, Mike Krallman are holding teams to a paltry 9.5 points per game.
Newport Central Catholic (1-2) hosts the Pioneers next Saturday at 7:00 pm at Newport Stadium. Come out and support the Big Blue as they are on a quest to go (5-0)
Unofficial stats:
Passing: Kuntz 9-15, 229 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing: Sampson 6-57, 1 TD, Kuntz 7-37
Receiving: Huesman 3-36, Wassmon 3-36 1TD, Franzen 1-10, Winkler 1-67 TD, Sampson 1-80 TD
