Playing at Clay last Thursday, the unbeaten Knights took on the unbeaten Clay Mustangs in what Braxton coach James King indicated could determine playoff seeding. . The Knights won the battle 26-14 to raise their record to 5-0.
Braxton kicked off to start the game. According to Braxton’s coach, Clay moved the ball at will, and on the seventh play of the drive scored on a short run. Their conversion attempt was successful to give the home team an 8-0 lead.
Coach King explained that it was at that point the Braxton coaches and players “had to settle down and be disciplined.” He added, “We knew Clay had a good team and knew we had to dig deep.” Braxton did just that and answered Clay’s touchdown when Josh Hoover found Mason Smarr on what his coach called “a beautiful pass” from midfield. Bryan Moats ran for the conversion and the tie.
After that, the Knights’ defense began playing with what their coach called “high intensity.” Following some big Braxton defensive plays, the Mustangs were forced to punt. Knight David Wyne blocked the punt and fell on the ball to give Braxton a short field. Mason scored on a short run three plays later. After a failed conversion attempt, the Knights led 14-8 at the end of the first quarter.
In second quarter action, Braxton gained food field advantage again as Cass Wright tackled the Mustangs’ running back on a fourth-and-one play. Bryson Moats scored on a short run down the right side of the field to move the Knights’ lead to 20-8.
Braxton regained possession before the end of the first half and drove downfield to Clay’s five-yard line before a fumble gave the ball back to the Mustangs. Coach King noted that his defense “came back strong on the next play.” Kenton Meadows forced a fumble and recovered the ball on Clay’s eight. Moats scored at the very end of the first half to give Braxton a 26-8 lead.
Huge defensive plays dominated the second half. Coach King pointed out that Braxton’s Cohen McPherson, Kallen Meadows, Skylar Duckworth, Lane Lewis, Dane Hopen, and Noah Spaulding helped lead a defensive assault that held Clay in check until the final 30 seconds of the game when Clay scored to put the final score at 26-14.
Coach King, commenting on the game, noted, “Clay made some fantastic adjustments in the second half that slowed down our offense. Our defense played fantastic football entire game.. Clay has a good team, and there’s a good chance we may see them again in the playoffs. This was a major win for us. Now we know where we stand with the other teams in our conference. “
The Braxton coach added, “I’m proud of the boys and the way they played, but credit must be given where it is deserved. We won that game because our “red shirts” had a heck of a week of practice against us. They ran their butts off to get us ready to play for this game running their offense and defense against our starters. They played a huge role in our win. I’m super proud of them.”
Braxton plays at home this week as they take on Ravenswood.
See additional sports coverage of the Braxton County Middle School Knights on page 6 of this issue.