If you missed the game Friday, here’s the rundown:
For one half of play, the highly-anticipated football game between Kewanee and Princeton lived up to its billing.
Throughout the first half, as predicted, defense was key for both squads. Princeton had one touchdown in the first quarter and Kewanee scored one in the second frame for a halftime score of 7-7.
The second half turned out to be a much different story. The wheels started coming off for the Boilermakers in the third quarter as the Tigers scored 22 points and ultimately defeated Kewanee, 34-17, to retain possession of the Breedlove Traveling Trophy. They also handed KHS their first loss of the season.
As a result, Princeton moves to 5-1 on the season and 2-0 atop the TRAC-Mississippi conference, while Kewanee slips to 5-1 and 3-1 in TRAC play.
Princeton didn’t waste any time getting on the board. After forcing the Boilers to punt on their first possession, Princeton started their first drive at the Kewanee 44 yard line.
On the third play of the series, Princeton quarterback William Lott spotted an open Noah Laporte for a 33-yard TD pass play. The PAT kick was good and the Tigers held a 7-0 lead.
Princeton’s stout defense forced Kewanee to punt a second time. The Tigers’ second possession, however, was marred by penalties. Facing a third and 28, Princeton’s Jordan Reinhardt was forced to punt.
Still not able to gain any traction, Kewanee punted a third time at the end of the first quarter.
On their third possession, the Tigers advanced the ball to the KHS 35 yard yard line. Lott then attempted a pass, but it was picked off by Davontae Jordan.
Shortly after, Princeton returned the favor and intercepted a Clark pass, giving the Tigers a short field at the KHS 32 yard line.
Cruz Paredes and Alex Duarte made key defensive stops for the Boilers, which limited Princeton to a field goal attempt. The 26-yarder by Carlos Benaivdez failed and the score remained 7-0.
After a sustained drive, the Boilers made it to Princeton’s 41 yard line. Kewanee then capitalized on another costly Princeton penalty (a 15-yard personal foul). Clark found Colson Welgat open for a 19-yard TD pass to even the score, 7-7, at halftime.
The tide quickly turned on Princeton’s first possession of the second half. The Tigers’ high-powered offense came to life. A 47-yard run by Ace Christiansen set up a second and goal TD by Casey Etheridge and a 14-7 lead.
The Boilers punted on their first outing of the second half. Princeton’s second possession featured a steady stream of runs by Etheridge and Christiansen.
Etheridge finished off the drive from one out with 50 seconds left in the third quarter. The 2-point PAT was good for the 22-7 lead.
A KHS turnover then gave the Tigers the ball at Kewanee’s 30. A 30-yard TD pass from Lott to Laporte followed just 10 seconds later. The PAT kick was good for the 29-7 score.
The next Kewanee drive stalled at midfield and the Boilers turned the ball over on downs. A series of runs by Christiansen helped set up Princeton’s final score. Christiansen ran it in from five and the 2-point PAT play was good for the 37-7 score.
The Boilers would tack on one more score midway through the final quarter. From their own 35, Clark fired a pass to Welgat who ran 63 yards before being brought down at Princeton’s 2 yard line. A couple plays later, Clark ran in the 4 yard keeper for the final score, 37-14.
When the dust settled, the Tigers accumulated 406 yards of total offense (301 on the ground and 105 through the air). Christiansen had the bulk of the rushing yards (14 carries for 161 yards). Etheridge added 94 yards on 23 carries.
Lott had an efficient night of passing (completing 6 of 8 passes for 119 yards, 1 interception). Laporte hauled in three of those for 67 yards and two TD’s.
Kewanee’s ground game was virtually halted, gaining just 24 yards. Forced to throw, Clark completed 10 of 21 passes for 157 yards and one INT. Welgat caught two for 82 yards. Duarte and Ben Taylor each hauled in two, 27 and 24 yards, respectively.
Next Friday the Boilers travel to Monmouth-Roseville for a TRAC crossover matchup. The Titans are 3-3 and 2-2 in Three Rivers (Rock) play.
