Patriots stop Knightstown, 21-6
September 7, 2022 at 6:34 p.m.
The Knightstown Panthers went home empty-handed last week with a 21-6 Tri-Eastern Conference loss to the Union County Patriots.
The Patriots received the kickoff and scored seven plays later.
“Knightstown came out in a totally different defensive structure and tried hard to stop Evan Wolf and our outside zone running,” UC Coach Joel Hofman said. “We were able to adjust and pound the interior to make them pay for spreading out.”
Quarterback Michael Eversole went in from five yards out and Rhett Hollen added a good PAT kick.
The Panthers responded with a 10-play drive to the Patriots’ 14 and became stalled against the UC defense on fourth down.
“Defense has been doing a nice job of making quarterback check down and throw the shortest route possible and we were able to get a lot of pressure on their QB and force him to make decisions early and take hits.”
The Patriots’ defense was impressive, keeping the Panthers deep in their own territory and off the scoreboard until the fourth quarter.
“Coach Watterson's squad held them to 42 rushing yards on 20 attempts and half of that came on one run,” Hofman said. “When you can make teams one-dimensional, it puts a lot of pressure on them to execute.”
UC ended the first half with a 10-play drive that put Wolf scoring on a 5-yard run. Add Hollen’s PAT kick and UC stood 14-0 at halftime.
The third quarter was scoreless but both teams scored in the fourth period.
Knightstown quarterback Mason Fields launched a 34-yard pass to Camden Gorman in the end zone. The Panthers elected to run a 2-point PAT but UC’s defense didn’t allow it.
With 6:37 remaining, UC went to work. Eversole ran three of 10 plays in the final drive that ended with a 1-yard push behind the offensive line as time ran out. Hollen added the PAT kick to make the final score, 21-6.
Eversole ended with 73 yards passing and and 151 rushing yards.
“Michael Eversole has my complete trust and he's just been a consummate leader all off-season and into this season,” Hofman said. “He's done a tremendous job in leading the team through actions.”
Patriots take on Tigers next
Union County travels to Hagerstown this week on Friday, Sept. 9.
“Hagerstown has been able to put up points this year so we will have to play well in all three phases and slow down their offense,” Hofman said.
“They're a proud program and we've been lucky to keep a 4-game win streak against them that dates back to their conference title season. Five in a row is what we're shooting for!”
Quarter scores:
Union County 7 7 0 7 - 21
Knightstown 0 0 0 6 - 6
First Quarter
UC - Michael Eversole 5-yd. Run, 9:02. Rhett Hollen PAT kick.
Second Quarter
UC - Evan Wolf 5-yd. Run, :13. Rhett Hollen PAT kick.
Fourth Quarter
K - Camdon Gorman 33-yd. Jacob Lund pass, 6:37.
UC - Michael Eversole 1-yd. run, :12. Rhett Hollen PAT Kick.
UC Kn
Total plays 58 49
Total yards 317 182
First downs 15 10
Rushing yards 244 42
UC-Eversole 17/151, Wolf 18/71, Takara 7/17, Mullins 1/5. Kn-Team 11/42.
Passing yards 73 42
Receiving yards - UC-Takara 3/40, Wooley 2/17, Tipton 1/8, Wolf 1/8.
UC Tackle Leaders - Wolf 5-5 assists, Takara 4-1 assist, Fritts 3-1 assist, Tom 2-2 assists, Snyder 2-2 assists, Mullins 2-2 assists, Dishmond 1-1 assist 1 sack, Whitsell 1-3 assists 1 sack, Schulte 1, Ramsey 1, Elleman 1.
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The Knightstown Panthers went home empty-handed last week with a 21-6 Tri-Eastern Conference loss to the Union County Patriots.
The Patriots received the kickoff and scored seven plays later.
“Knightstown came out in a totally different defensive structure and tried hard to stop Evan Wolf and our outside zone running,” UC Coach Joel Hofman said. “We were able to adjust and pound the interior to make them pay for spreading out.”
Quarterback Michael Eversole went in from five yards out and Rhett Hollen added a good PAT kick.
The Panthers responded with a 10-play drive to the Patriots’ 14 and became stalled against the UC defense on fourth down.
“Defense has been doing a nice job of making quarterback check down and throw the shortest route possible and we were able to get a lot of pressure on their QB and force him to make decisions early and take hits.”
The Patriots’ defense was impressive, keeping the Panthers deep in their own territory and off the scoreboard until the fourth quarter.
“Coach Watterson's squad held them to 42 rushing yards on 20 attempts and half of that came on one run,” Hofman said. “When you can make teams one-dimensional, it puts a lot of pressure on them to execute.”
UC ended the first half with a 10-play drive that put Wolf scoring on a 5-yard run. Add Hollen’s PAT kick and UC stood 14-0 at halftime.
The third quarter was scoreless but both teams scored in the fourth period.
Knightstown quarterback Mason Fields launched a 34-yard pass to Camden Gorman in the end zone. The Panthers elected to run a 2-point PAT but UC’s defense didn’t allow it.
With 6:37 remaining, UC went to work. Eversole ran three of 10 plays in the final drive that ended with a 1-yard push behind the offensive line as time ran out. Hollen added the PAT kick to make the final score, 21-6.
Eversole ended with 73 yards passing and and 151 rushing yards.
“Michael Eversole has my complete trust and he's just been a consummate leader all off-season and into this season,” Hofman said. “He's done a tremendous job in leading the team through actions.”
Patriots take on Tigers next
Union County travels to Hagerstown this week on Friday, Sept. 9.
“Hagerstown has been able to put up points this year so we will have to play well in all three phases and slow down their offense,” Hofman said.
“They're a proud program and we've been lucky to keep a 4-game win streak against them that dates back to their conference title season. Five in a row is what we're shooting for!”
Quarter scores:
Union County 7 7 0 7 - 21
Knightstown 0 0 0 6 - 6
First Quarter
UC - Michael Eversole 5-yd. Run, 9:02. Rhett Hollen PAT kick.
Second Quarter
UC - Evan Wolf 5-yd. Run, :13. Rhett Hollen PAT kick.
Fourth Quarter
K - Camdon Gorman 33-yd. Jacob Lund pass, 6:37.
UC - Michael Eversole 1-yd. run, :12. Rhett Hollen PAT Kick.
UC Kn
Total plays 58 49
Total yards 317 182
First downs 15 10
Rushing yards 244 42
UC-Eversole 17/151, Wolf 18/71, Takara 7/17, Mullins 1/5. Kn-Team 11/42.
Passing yards 73 42
Receiving yards - UC-Takara 3/40, Wooley 2/17, Tipton 1/8, Wolf 1/8.
UC Tackle Leaders - Wolf 5-5 assists, Takara 4-1 assist, Fritts 3-1 assist, Tom 2-2 assists, Snyder 2-2 assists, Mullins 2-2 assists, Dishmond 1-1 assist 1 sack, Whitsell 1-3 assists 1 sack, Schulte 1, Ramsey 1, Elleman 1.