EDINA, Mo. - Knox County nearly erased a 16-point halftime deficit during a wild Homecoming night at Ella Campbell Field, but Bishop LeBlond answered the Eagles’ rally with two late touchdowns to escape with a 78-60 victory Friday night.
The loss was the first of the season for Knox County, which fell to 3-1 despite producing 44 second-half points and pulling within two during the closing minutes.
Knox County also crowned Jaxon Vannoy as Homecoming King and Melayna Miller as Homecoming Queen during the halftime festivities.
Bishop LeBlond struck first when Pax Helsel connected with Quinn Tabor for a 49-yard touchdown. The visitors added the two-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead with 8:21 remaining in the opening quarter.
Knox County answered with a steady march down the field. Carrsen Hayes found Isaac Shahan for a 19-yard touchdown, then powered across the goal line for the conversion to tie the game at eight.
The Eagles briefly moved in front on the opening play of the second quarter. Hayes connected with Blayce Howerton for a 22-yard score before running in another conversion, giving Knox County a 16-8 advantage.
That lead lasted only 11 seconds.
Owen Zeit returned the ensuing kickoff 62 yards for a touchdown, immediately drawing Bishop LeBlond even. The visitors then took control with another special play when Hawkins Ideker ripped the ball free from a Knox County runner and returned the fumble 24 yards for a touchdown.
Jensen Nash followed with a 50-yard scoring run, sending Bishop LeBlond into halftime with a 32-16 lead despite Knox County holding an advantage in first downs and total offense during much of the opening half.
The game changed dramatically after halftime.
Facing fourth down from its own territory, Knox County lined up in punt formation before snapping the ball to Howerton. The sophomore broke through the defense and raced 56 yards for a touchdown, trimming the deficit to 32-24.
Nash answered with a five-yard touchdown run, but Knox County refused to let the game get away. Hayes found Shahan for a 29-yard touchdown, and Shahan added the conversion to pull the Eagles within 40-32.
Tabor’s second touchdown reception pushed Bishop LeBlond’s lead back to 16, only for Hayes to answer with an eight-yard scoring run. Nash then broke free for a 56-yard touchdown before Knox County delivered one of its biggest plays of the evening.
Hayes stood in against the pressure and launched a pass to Creighton Karhoff, who turned it into a 65-yard touchdown. The conversion brought Knox County within 54-46 heading into the fourth quarter.
Bishop LeBlond opened the final period with another touchdown, but Hayes responded by throwing a 30-yard scoring pass to bring Knox County back within 62-52.
After the defense forced a punt, the Eagles traveled nearly the length of the field. Hayes extended the possession with a long scramble before Howerton burst through the defense for a 32-yard touchdown. Hayes added the two-point conversion, slicing the deficit to 62-60 with 5:15 remaining.
Knox County then recovered Ryan Park’s onside kick, giving the Eagles possession in Bishop LeBlond territory with an opportunity to take the lead.
The comeback stalled after a mishandled pitch resulted in a major loss. Facing fourth-and-long, Hayes attempted to keep the drive alive, but Luke Hartman stepped in front of the pass and returned the interception for a touchdown. The conversion stretched Bishop LeBlond’s lead to 70-60 with 3:28 remaining.
Nash added one final touchdown after a Knox County turnover on downs, closing a game in which the teams combined for 138 points and 18 touchdowns.
Hayes completed 22 of 35 passes for 263 yards and four touchdowns while adding 129 yards and another score on 25 rushing attempts. Howerton rushed for 141 yards on 11 carries and was credited with four total touchdowns. Shahan collected seven receptions for 87 yards and two scores.
Nash led Bishop LeBlond with 265 rushing yards on 32 attempts. His ability to break tackles and produce explosive runs repeatedly allowed the visitors to answer Knox County’s second-half surge.
Even in defeat, Knox County displayed the explosiveness and resolve that helped the Eagles open the season with three consecutive wins. They scored on the ground, through the air and from a punt formation while continuing to battle after falling behind by multiple possessions.
Knox County will attempt to return to the win column when it hosts Kansas City East Christian next week at Ella Campbell Field.
(This game recap is presented based upon the coverage of the Hometown Radio Sports Network. Any statistics given should be deemed as unofficial.)
