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Warriors outlast Knights in ECC slugfest

Kings QB Will Kocher (photo by Autumn Duncan/TriStateFootball.com)

CINCINNATI, Ohio – Winton Woods and Kings split their two battles a season ago with Kings taking the regular season battle and Winton Woods returning the favor in the playoffs en route to a state championship. The two squads were at it again Friday night, this time battling for first place in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference. Two high powered offenses and stout defenses took the field as the Warriors and the Knights both had their eyes set on being in the driver’s seat to an ECC crown with a win. 

Two of the favorites in Division II region 8 showed why in an epic showdown with Winton Woods coming away with a 28-23 victory over host Kings.

Early on was a defensive slugfest. Both defensive units came to play and didn’t want to give an inch. There were four turnovers in the first quarter, three of them being interceptions. The Warriors were picked off on their first possession. Their defense would respond by turning Kings over on downs. After a Winton Woods punt, Kings quarterback Will Kocher was picked off only to have his defense intercept the Warriors’ Vance George for a second time. The score was knotted at zero after a quarter.

Things started to get moving offensively in the second period. Kings had a positive drive stall but was able to knock in a 29-yard field goal by Brady Wik for the game’s first points. Winton Woods would be forced to punt on their next possession and a botched punt recovered by the Knights had them in business again. They would capitalize when Kocher called his own number and rushed for a score. The PAT was good, and Kings had a 10-0 lead.

Ohio State commit Jermaine Matthews responded for the Warriors by taking the next kickoff all the way home for a score to immediately answer and cut the lead to 10-7 with 5:36 to go in the half. Late in the half, the Knights were forced to punt from their own 9-yard line, giving the Warriors great field position with 1:59 to go until halftime. The Winton Woods offense would capitalize and punch one in with only seconds to go in the half. They would take a 14-10 lead to the locker room. 

Kings came out of the locker room and moved quickly. The Knights took their opening drive down the field efficiently and Kocher struck with a touchdown pass with 8:12 to play in the third to give Kings a 17-14 lead. Winton Woods wouldn’t back down and after two big runs by Trey Cornist, the Warriors responded with a touchdown toss of their own from Vance George to regain the lead at 21-17. The teams would head to the fourth quarter in a tight affair.

Kings started the quarter with a long, big-time drive only for it to be thwarted when Matthews picked off a Kocher pass on their own 35-yard line. Cornist would immediately go back to work for the Warriors with two big runs. He would cap the drive off with a 21-yard scamper into the endzone to give Winton Woods a 28-17 lead with 3:50 to go in the game.

Kings would respond once again with a drive that lasted just over a minute. The two-point conversion was no good and Kings still trailed 28-23 with 2:43 remaining in the game. Winton Woods would convert a crucial 3rd and five on their next drive to help secure the victory and remain unbeaten on the season.

Kings outgained Winton Woods 281-230 but it was enough to secure the win. Quarterback Will Kocher continued to be a top performer in the area. Kocher was 14-30 for 171 yards and two touchdowns. He also carried the ball 19 times for 82 yards and another score. Nick Hoying had 14 tackles to pace the defensive effort.

Warrior running back Trey Cornist continued his solid play on the season. The speedster rushed for 123 on 27 carries with a touchdown. He also hauled in a touchdown reception. Vance George was 7-14 for 93 yards and two touchdowns to help his team to victory. Lorenzo Hudson led the Warrior defense with 11 tackles and a fumble recovery. Matthews Jr. finished with two interceptions.

SCORING BY QUARTERS
Winton Woods 0-14-7-7-28
Kings 0-10-7-6-23

SCORING PLAYS
K: Brady Wik 29-yard field goal
K: Will Kocher 5-yard rush TD (Brady Wik kick)
W: Jermaine Matthews 80-yard kickoff return TD (Umba Domobele kick)
W: Trey Cornist 3-yard rec TD from Vance George (Umba Domobele kick)
K: Jay Holubetz 9-yard rec TD from Kocher (Wik kick)
W: Tra’mar Harris 21-yard rec TD from Geoge (Umba Domobele kick)
W: Trey Cornist 21-yard rush TD (Umba Domobele kick)
K:  Michael Mussari 6-yard rec TD from Kocher (conversion failed)

RECORDS: Winton Woods (7-0, 6-0 ECC); Kings (6-1, 5-1)
UP NEXT: Winton Woods at Milford; Lebanon vs. Kings

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