EDINA, Mo. - Knox County needed a response after suffering its first regular-season loss in nearly two years. The Eagles delivered one with an offensive eruption and a defense that repeatedly took the football away.
Carsen Hayes accounted for eight touchdowns and Knox County forced five turnovers Friday night, pulling away from KC East Christian for a 70-42 victory at Ella Campbell Field.
The win improved Knox County to 4-1 and handed the Lions their first loss of the season.
“It was a bounce-back week for us after losing a tough one last week,” Knox County head coach Bruce Vannoy said during the Beck’s Hybrids Scoreboard Show. “I was happy to see the way we bounced back from it. Those guys really had a good week of practice. We were excited, the energy was good, and we were facing a Kansas City team that was much better than they were last year and had some real weapons.”
Those weapons presented an immediate challenge. KC East Christian scored first and carried an 8-6 advantage out of the opening quarter, with Knox County’s lone score coming on a four-yard run by Hayes.
The game swung sharply in the second period. Hayes connected with Myles Henry for a 21-yard touchdown that moved the Eagles in front, and Blayce Howerton followed with an 11-yard scoring run after Knox County recovered a pooch kick.
The Eagles continued converting turnovers into points. Hayes scored from one yard out before the Lions answered with a touchdown in the final minute of the half. Knox County still had time for another response, as Creighton Karhoff hauled in a touchdown pass with 11 seconds remaining to send the Eagles into halftime with a 36-16 lead.
KC East Christian’s passing attack kept the outcome from feeling secure. The Lions scored four times after halftime and twice pulled within 16 points during the fourth quarter, but Hayes and the Knox County offense consistently answered.
Hayes added touchdown runs of 19 and 34 yards during the third quarter, while Isaac Shahan caught a five-yard scoring pass early in the fourth. The Lions then struck for consecutive touchdowns, cutting Knox County’s advantage to 58-42 with 4:58 remaining.
The Eagles’ defense closed the door from there. Karhoff intercepted a pass in the end zone to stop one threat, while Jaxon Vannoy later produced a strip-sack and recovered the fumble himself.
Hayes broke free for a 43-yard touchdown with 1:59 remaining, and Shahan caught a 34-yard scoring pass in the final seconds to complete the 70-point night.
Hayes finished 13-of-14 passing for 218 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He also carried 26 times for 153 yards and five scores, accounting for 371 total yards.
Howerton added 95 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, while Shahan caught five passes for 83 yards and two scores. Shahan also intercepted a pass defensively, joining Karhoff as the Eagles’ two interception leaders.
Knox County rushed for 281 yards and finished with 499 yards of total offense, 27 first downs and no turnovers. Defensively, the Eagles collected two interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
Although Hayes produced the most eye-catching numbers, Vannoy also praised Howerton’s contributions on both sides of the football.
“He did the dirty work for us in the middle,” Vannoy said. “He’s making some big plays on the offensive and defensive sides, and he’s just been a big part of what we’re doing.”
Vannoy also credited the Eagles’ renewed practice habits after their loss to Bishop LeBlond.
“We wanted to get back to basics and bring the energy in practice,” Vannoy said. “Our biggest thing in practice is making sure we’re going full tilt all the time.”
Knox County will return to conference and district play next Friday when the Eagles travel to face Paris.
(This game recap is presented based upon the coverage of the Hometown Radio Sports Network. Any statistics given should be deemed as unofficial.)
