QUEEN CITY, Mo. - Knox County head coach Bruce Vannoy walked away from Friday night’s rivalry game with another dominant victory and a place atop the program’s record book.
The Eagles scored four touchdowns in the first quarter and carried a 42-point advantage into halftime, defeating Schuyler County 64-12 during the Rams’ homecoming game at Schuyler County High School. The victory made Vannoy the winningest head coach in Knox County football history while moving the Eagles to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
Knox County established control immediately after a Schuyler County horse-collar penalty extended the opening possession. Carrsen Hayes capitalized by finding Isaac Shahan behind the defense for a 26-yard touchdown, giving the Eagles a 6-0 lead less than two minutes into the game.
Shahan made his presence felt again moments later, this time on defense. The junior intercepted Gage Pauley near the Schuyler County 35-yard line and returned the ball deep into Rams territory. Hayes completed the short drive with a 15-yard touchdown run before converting the two-point attempt to stretch Knox County’s lead to 14-0.
The Eagles continued leaning on their offensive line and read-option attack throughout the opening quarter. Blayce Howerton powered across the goal line from one yard away with 2:42 remaining, and Ryan Park’s extra point increased the margin to 21-0.
Knox County then regained possession with less than a minute left in the quarter. Hayes again looked toward Shahan and delivered a pass over the middle, allowing the receiver to break free for a 41-yard touchdown with 14 seconds on the clock. Park added the extra point as the Eagles completed a 28-point opening period.
Schuyler County provided its first answer on the opening play of the second quarter. Pauley launched a deep pass down the field to Mason Oliver, who separated from the defense and completed a 65-yard touchdown reception. The two-point attempt was unsuccessful, but the explosive connection brought the homecoming crowd to life and cut Knox County’s lead to 28-6.
The Eagles never allowed that momentum to build. Howerton capped their next possession with an 11-yard touchdown run, restoring the four-score advantage less than three minutes later.
Knox County’s defense then forced another quick stop, and Hayes found Creighton Karhoff for a 17-yard touchdown with 7:19 remaining in the half. Park’s extra point pushed the score to 42-6.
Schuyler County appeared positioned to respond when Pauley again targeted Oliver on a deep route. Haze Trimble recovered from a difficult position and played through the receiver’s hands, breaking up what could have become another long touchdown.
Vannoy said the play represented the kind of improvement Knox County emphasized during the week after allowing several deep completions in its previous game.
“Something we focused on all week was playing defensive back and coming through the hands on the catch,” Vannoy said. “He was able to do that tonight, and it was just exciting to see that coaching translate to the field. It was a big play for him and a big momentum boost.”
Shahan collected his second interception later in the quarter, ending another Schuyler County possession and completing an exceptional two-way first half. Howerton added his third rushing touchdown from five yards out with 1:59 remaining. Schuyler County blocked the ensuing extra point, but Knox County entered halftime with a commanding 48-6 advantage.
Hayes completed 10 of 12 passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns during the first half. Shahan accounted for five receptions, 94 yards and two scores in addition to his two interceptions, while Karhoff caught two passes for 31 yards and a touchdown.
Howerton carried 12 times for 57 yards and three scores as Knox County consistently created openings at the line of scrimmage. Vannoy credited the Eagles’ preparation and execution in the running game for opening the rest of the offense.
“We definitely established the run game early, and it helped us open up everything else,” Vannoy said. “We focused on our base run plays, getting that movement up front and trying to create gaps for our running backs. I feel like we did a pretty good job of that.”
A running clock and substitutions accelerated the second half, but Schuyler County continued competing and produced another explosive play late in the third quarter. Antonio Wysocki took a handoff from deep in Rams territory, broke through the initial wave of defenders and raced 74 yards for a touchdown. The conversion attempt failed, leaving Knox County ahead 48-12.
The Eagles turned the offense over to many of their younger players during the fourth quarter. Jackson Ausmus directed the reserve unit and finished a drive with an eight-yard touchdown run at the 9:29 mark. He then connected with Aiden Shahan for the two-point conversion.
Ausmus added another touchdown from 19 yards away during the closing minutes, carrying through contact and moving the pile across the goal line. His conversion pass to James Holman completed the scoring at 64-12.
Ausmus finished with 44 rushing yards and two touchdowns on four carries as Knox County’s younger players added 16 fourth-quarter points. Ezra Scoggin contributed 27 receiving yards and 16 rushing yards, while Trimble recorded a 21-yard reception.
Vannoy said the opportunity to place the junior varsity group under the Friday-night lights carried value beyond the final score.
“Nothing compares to Friday night lights,” Vannoy said. “For those guys to go out there and be able to make some plays, and actually put up two scores there at the end, it was exciting to see them have success on the big stage.”
Pauley finished 6-of-10 passing for 105 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for Schuyler County. Oliver caught five passes for 96 yards and a touchdown, while Wysocki’s long scoring run helped the Rams finish with 82 rushing yards and 197 yards of total offense.
Knox County accumulated an unofficial 351 total yards, including 181 through the air and 170 on the ground. The Eagles won the turnover battle 2-0 and extended their winning streak against Schuyler County to three games, taking a 5-4 advantage in the series since the programs moved to eight-man football.
The victory also carried a greater historical meaning for Knox County. With the win, Vannoy moved into sole possession of first place on the Eagles’ all-time coaching victories list. He said the current group’s success reflects work that began long before its players reached the varsity level.
“These guys have put in work since they were in elementary school,” Vannoy said. “These seniors and some of the juniors have been playing flag football together since they were in third grade. It’s just a fun group to watch. They’re great kids, and I couldn’t be more proud of them in the classroom and on the field.”
Knox County will return to Edina next Friday for its homecoming game against Bishop LeBlond. Schuyler County fell to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play and will travel to Keytesville next week.
(This game recap is presented based upon the coverage of the Hometown Radio Sports Network. Any statistics given should be deemed as unofficial.)
