North knocks out Hoptown

Saturday, September 20, 2008

HOPKINSVILLE — During a season in which defense has defined the Madisonville-North Hopkins football team thus far, two fourth quarter fumble recoveries cemented the Maroons 22-21 victory Friday night over the Hopkinsville Tigers at the Stadium of Champions.

Down 21-14 entering the final quarter, the Maroon offense stepped up and reeled off an 11-play touchdown drive, capped by a successful two-point conversion as the North defenders kept Hopkinsville off the board in the fourth.

Just inside the fourth quarter with the Maroons driving, on third-and-one from the Tigers’ 26-yard line North quarterback Matt Levin tossed a perfect pass over the shoulder of receiver Carl Hatchett in single coverage for a touchdown.

Instead of tying the game with an extra point, North coach Will Weaver opted to make an attempt at the lead. Levin rolled to his left and found Ryan Robinson between a sea of players for the conversion and the 22-21 lead, which would eventually hold up thanks to the Maroon defense.

J.C. Wade made the first big fumble recovery on Hopkinsville’s next drive, ending the series near midfield.

Then again on the Tigers’ next possession, with 4:23 left in the game, J. Michael Collins collected a fumble right at midfield to end any thoughts of a Hopkinsville comeback.

North successfully converted on two third-down plays in the final minutes to successfully run the clock out and seal the victory.

Although North dominated the second half of play it was Hopkinsville, who came out and showed its confidence early by marching down the field and scoring on its first possession of the game.

The Maroon defense prevented the big play, but The Tigers methodically moved their way down the field on a 10-play, 60-yard drive, which ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass from John Cessna to Kirk Thomas.

Cessna used the play-action to the right side then rolled to his left and found Thomas who ran to the corner for the score and a 7-0 lead.

The Tigers made a bold move when the Hopkinsville attempted and recovered an on-sides kickoff on the ensuing play. Hopkinsville reached the North 20-yard line and tried a 37-yard field goal, but a bad snap and difficult hold led to a tackle by Joe Kington at the 31-yard line and a change in possession.

North could not do anything, however, with the opportunity and punted away after a three-and-out.

Once again, Hopkinsville showed its grit and determination to put North away early when the Tigers opted to go for it on fourth-and-one from their own 44-yard line in the first quarter. Cessna converted on the keeper and kept the drive alive.

The big play of the series came on second-and-10 from the North 41-yard line though. Tiger running back Joe Harris took a hand-off and ran to his right before seeing a see of Maroon and reversed his field to pick up 18-yards.

Five plays later, Cessna found Victor Moulden for an 11-yard touchdown reception and a 14-0.

Just when things looked like it could not get any bleaker for the Maroons, it did. On North’s next offensive play Levin connected for a 7-yard gainer, but the ball popped out and Hopkinsville recovered at midfield.

Despite the turnover, the tired North defense buckled down and did not allow a first down.

Levin and the Maroon offense regrouped on their next possession and shook off their two-game regulation touchdown drought.

Starting at their own 13-yard line, North put together a 15-play drive in less than five minutes, using the no-huddle offense to keep Hopkinsville uneasy.

Levin connected on his first seven pass of the night and the drive’s biggest gainer came when he passed to Kington down to the Tiger 10-yard line for a 15-yard completion.

Ryan Robinson handled it from there. Robinson collected the next 10 yards on two carries, including a 5-yard touchdown in which he ran untouched through a whole in the left side.

North’s offense had thoughts of tying the game when the team received the ball with just over two minutes left, but Levin was intercepted when he tried to find L.J. Gregory deep down field at the opposing 7-yard line.

Hopkinsville appeared to succeed in scoring in the first half’s final minutes where North could not by moving to the Maroon 31-yard line in just two plays.

Ivan Jessup turned the tide, however, and made the play of the first half when he intercepted a Cessna pass on third-and-one. Jessup stepped in front of the Tiger intended receiver and made reservations for six as he went 75 yards for the touchdown with just 18 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

Rush Dugger added the extra point and North and Hopkinsville went into the lockeroom tied at 14 all.

Although North entered halftime with the momentum, Hopkinsville struck first in the second half.

With 1:57 left in the third quarter, Cessna found Thomas once again for a 9-yard touchdown reception and 21-14 advantage.

North (3-1)

Passing: Matt Levin– 20-29, 174 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing: Matt Levin 4-10 Ryan Robinson– 9-26, 1 TD Isiah White– 8-15 Rashad Combs– 1-12

Receiving: Carl Hatchett– 6-61, 1 TD Joe Kington– 4-30 Ryan Quinn– 1-12 Ryan Robinson– 2-13 L.J. Gregory– 4-42 Brandon Utley– 1-6 Isiah White– 1-3

INT: Ivan Jessup 1-75 yards, TD

Fumble recovery: J. Michael Collins, J.C. Wade

Hopkinsville (2-2)

Passing: John Cessna– 8-17, 81 yards, 2 TD

Rushing: Joe Harris– 19-180 yards, John Cessna– 4-10 Deshawn Johnson– 14-46 Victor Moulden– 1 (-2) Ryne Hacock– 1-3

Receiving: Victor Moulden– 2-22, 1 TD Corey Thomas 3-27 Kirk Thomas 1-12, 1 TD Joe Harris 1-11

INT: Corey Thomas

MNHHS: 0 14 0 8 – 22

HHS: 7 7 7 0 – 21

1st quarter

HHS: John Cessna 12-yard pass to Kirk Thomas, XP good – 7:28 7-0

2nd quarter

HHS: Cessna 11-yard pass to Victor Moulden, XP good –10:27 14-0

MNHHS: Ryan Robinson 5-yard rush, Dugger XP good – 3:06 14-7

MNHHS: Ivan Jessup 75-yard interception return, Dugger XP good – 0:18 14-14

3rd quarter

HHS: Cessna 9-yard pass to Thomas, XP good – 1:57 21-14

4th quarter

MNHHS: Levin 26-yard pass to Hatchett, two-point conversion Levin pass to Robinson good – 10:45 22-21