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Kings bests Winton Woods to advance

MASON, Ohio – Kings and Winton Woods entered Friday night’s Division II regional semi-final knowing their opponent perhaps better than any other matchup in the state. The Knights and Warriors both of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference have engaged in a plethora of high-level battles in both the regular and postseasons. The two squads split a year ago with Kings winning the regular season tilt and a conference championship. Winton Woods returned the favor in the playoffs on their way to a state championship. Earlier this season in week seven, the Warriors prevailed 28-23 in a high-spirited affair that went a long way in determining a league champion. In this third round of the playoffs, the stakes were even higher.

 

The Knights came out with payback on their minds. Having lost two straight in the rivalry, Kings jumped on top early as Quarterback Will Kocher led an opening 84-yard drive that he would cap off with a touchdown run. Kocher went 15 yards for the rushing score. Brady Wik would add a field goal and Kings led 10-0 after a quarter.

 

Winton Woods would respond with a solid drive of their own. Tailback Trey Cornist punched in a touchdown from 1-yard out to cut the lead to 10-7 halfway through the second quarter. Kocher wasn’t done in the first half as he found Jake Cameron on a 68-yard bomb that had the Knights in business again. Kocher would finish the drive with a 7-yard score. After a stop, Wik would capitalize on a field goal try from 35 yards to end the half. The Knights led 20-7 at the break.

 

Both defenses tightened in the third quarter. The Warriors took their opening drive in a positive direction but were held to a field goal. Dan Umba Dombele knocked in a 29-yard attempt to cut the Knights’ lead to 20-10. Each defense kept the other out of the end zone for the entire quarter and that was the score as the two teams headed to the fourth quarter.

 

Brady Wik tacked on a 30-yard field goal to start the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 23-10. The Warriors would respond with a solid drive and touchdown pass from Van George to Tra’Mar Harris from five yards out. The lead was down to one possession at 23-16. 

 

Winton Woods got some timely stops but could not get a final score to tie the game as they were turned over on downs on their last possession. The Knights ran out the final minute of the game on their way to a massive 23-16 upset victory.

 

SCORING BY QUARTERS

Kings 10-10-0-3-23

Winton Woods 0-7-3-6-16

 

SCORING PLAYS

K: Will Kocher 15-yd rush (Brady Wik kick)

K: Brady Wik 19-yd field goal

W: Trey Cornist 1-yd rush (Dan Umba Dombele kick)

K: Will Kocher 7-yd rush (Wik kick)

K: Brady Wik 35-yd field goal

WW: Dan Umba Dombele 29-yd field goal

K: Brady Wik 30-yd field goal

WW: Tra’Mar Harris 5-yd pass from Van George (try failed)

 

RECORDS: Kings (12-1); Winton Woods (12-1)

UP NEXT: Kings vs. Anderson

 

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