Knights jump out early, hang on for ‘W’

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

ROCKFORD — Crestview rolled to a big lead then held on for a 41-27 win over Parkway in the season opener for both teams on Friday. It was the first victory for new Crestview head coach Cole Harting.

The Knights enjoyed a 21-0 halftime advantage, with Bryson Penix tossing a five-yard touchdown pass to Beau Eggleston in the first quarter, and Braxton Leeth and Jaret Harting each rushing for a three-yard score in the second quarter. Hayden Perrott added the PAT after each of the scores. The Knights were able to extend the lead to 34-0 in the third quarter, when Penix connected with Wren Sheets on a 50-yard touchdown pass, followed by Leeth’s second touchdown of the night, a nine-yard scamper.

“We got out to a very fast start and we were efficient on offense and defense in the first half,” Harting said. “After halftime we got a score right away and then we kind of let up a little bit. We have to learn how to finish games.”

“The defense played lights out for the first 2 1/2 quarters then Parkway hit one and it gave them a little bit of momentum and they were able to build on that,” Harting added. “We had an opportunity to put it away but we couldn’t do it.”

After Parkway rallied with three unanswered touchdowns, including two short Fletcher Smith touchdown runs in the third quarter, Harting provided the back breaker with a 95 yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 41-20 lead.

“That kind of gave us a collective sigh of relief because things really weren’t going our way,” the coach said. “He stepped up and really put the game away.”

“They understand both side of the ball, they know what we’re trying to do, Harting said. “Now it’s just cleaning up some little things, making sure all of our assignments are perfect. We know what we want to do, now we just have to execute at a high level.”

Parkway’s final touchdown came on a 15-yard pass from Smith to Brayden Bruns, who also added three PATs.

Penix completed 22-of-30 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns, but was intercepted three times. Sheets was the leading receiver with three receptions for 77 yards. Sheets. Leeth led the Crestview ground game with 94 yards on 20 carries.

Crestview will travel to McComb on Friday, while Parkway will play at North Central.