Watson Cook

10/17/2011

Homecoming 2011 got off to a blazing start for the Colonels, who raced to a 21-0 halftime lead, then had to stave off a comeback from the visiting Kirk Academy Raiders. IA held on for a 41-21 win.

With a huge crown on hand, the Colonels wasted little time getting on the board, using a 7 play, 58 yard drive to open the game. Sophomore running back Dalton Sykes provided the points with an        8 yard touchdown run at the 8:44 mark. Senior Ty Smith added the PAT for a 7-0 lead.

On their first possession of the second quarter, IA struck quickly again. This time they needed only 4 plays to go 69 yards. Senior quarterback Taylor Marlow hooked up with sophomore tight end Andrew Garrett from 41 yards out to put the IA up 14-0 (Smith PAT). Great defense also played a big hand in this one. With the Raiders threatening late in the half, sophomore cornerback Hunter Vance picked off a Kirk pass and returned it to the 35 to set up the next score. Five plays later, Marlow found junior receiver Trey Roberson from 7 yards out to give IA a 21-0 halftime lead (Smith PAT).

The Colonels opened the third quarter with a little luck. The Raiders had possession and on their second play, sophomore linebacker Ashton Knight stripped the ball carrier and returned the ball 56 yards for the score. Kirk players and coaches argued that the runner was down, but to no avail. The touchdown stood and the Colonels led 27-0 (PAT unsuccessful). The call apparently lit a fire under the Raiders as they rattled off 21 unanswered points in a six minute span to draw within 6 and put a scare in the homecoming crowd. Fortunately, that would be as close as they could get. The Colonels answered with 1:37 left in the quarter. Marlow connected with Roberson again, this time from the Raider 27 to give IA some breathing room with a 33-21 lead (unsuccessful 2 pt try). The defense held the rest of the way, even forcing a fumble to open the fourth quarter. That led to the Colonels’ final touchdown of the night, a Marlow 3 yard run with 8:55 remaining. A Marlow to Roberson 2 pt conversion put IA up 41-21. That score would hold to be the final.

IA improved to 4-4, 1-1. The win set up a huge game this Friday night with North Delta as the Green Wave will come to Legion Field owning a 8-1, 3-0 record. The Colonels’ playoff chances will be at stake when this one kicks off at 7:30.