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Kings crowned regional champs

MASON, Ohio – The Kings Knights survived a late Anderson comeback to advance to the state final four. Friday’s Division II, Region 8 final was full of offense as both the Anderson Raptors and Kings Knights brought their full repertoire to the football field. The Eastern Cincinnati Conference was represented well by two high-octane squads who wanted nothing more than to advance to next week’s state final four. A game of runs and momentum had both squads lighting up the scoreboard, but it was Kings who did just enough more to come away with an exhilarating 46-42 victory at Dwire Field in Mason.

 

The underdog Anderson Raptors had no desire to lay down. The Raptors were quick to score as they showed off their big play ability in the game’s first two minutes. Quarterback Griffin Scalf led the offense down the field on the opening drive and found tailback Brodey Berg on a wheel route for a 34-yard touchdown. Scalf led the offense again on their next possession as he found multiple targets including a long pass to Santos Alvarez that set up a Berg 1-yard score. Scalf started the contest 9-9 for 100 yards.

Kings WR Michael Mussari

 

Kings quarterback Will Kocher continued his tremendous season with another polarizing game to lead the Knights. The senior play caller started things with his arm. He would find his favorite target Michael Mussari for three first quarter touchdowns to set the tone early. When the passing game slowed down, Kocher used his big play ability on the ground. Late in the half, Kocher broke for a 50-yard score right before intermission. To start the second half, he sprung himself again on the keeper this time for 51 yards.

 

Anderson found themselves in a hole heading into the fourth quarter. Down 18, the Raptors offense had to move even faster than usual, and it paid off. Scalf connected again with Alvarez for a 26-yard score. The two-point conversion was good, and the lead was cut to 10. Alvarez made a tough diving catch over Brady Wik in the front right corner of the endzone.

 

The Raptors defense would stand up and finally force Kings to punt. Scalf went back to work as he hooked up several times with wideout Mike Smith on the drive. Scalf went 6-7 for 47 yards on the drive and capped it off by hitting Smith again for an 18-yard catch and run for the score with 4:58 remaining in the game. Kings led 46-42.

 

The prolific Kings offense was again forced to punt on their next possession as Kocher was bottled up in the backfield, giving Anderson a final shot as a game winning drive. Scalf went to his playmakers, and he found Smith and Alvarez on first and second down to set up a third and short. His own third down keeper was stuffed, and the game came down to a final play. On fourth down, Scalf found Alvarez but the senior was kept short of the line to gain, and the Raptors turned the ball over on downs. Griffin Scalf didn’t seem quite ready for the fourth down snap and the timing of the play was thrown off.

 

Kocher led the state bound Knights by going 24-35 for 241 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed 19 times for 176 yards and another two scores. Mussari hauled in seven receptions for 147 yards and three scores. Jay Holubetz and Paul Kelly also helped carry the load in the run game for the Knights (13-1).

Scalf was 37-of-55 for 423 yards and three touchdowns to go with 68 rushing yards. Berg finished with nine catches for 141 yards and ran for 17 yards with four total touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving). Santos Alvarez was the leading wideout with 10 receptions and 115 yards. Mike Smith added eight catches for 78 yards and Miles Havens had eight catches for 75 in the losing effort.

 

Scoring by quarters

Anderson – 13-9-6-14 – 42

Kings – 22-10-14-0 – 46

 

SCORING PLAYS

A– Brodey Berg 34yd pass from Griffin Scalf (Landon Goethe kick)

K– Michael Mussari 47yd pass from Will Kocher (Brady Wik pass from Kelly)

A– Berg 1yd run (kick failed)

K– Mussari 6yd pass from Kocher (Wik kick)

K- Mussari 26yd pass from Kocher (Wik kick)

A– Landon Goethe 23yd field goal

K– Brady Wik 27yd field goal

A– Berg 2yd run (pass failed)

K– Kocher 50yd run (Wik kick)

K– Kocher 51yd run (Wik kick)

A– Berg 1yd run (pass failed)

K– Kocher 4yd run (Wik kick)

A– Alvarez 26yd pass from Scalf (Smith pass from Scalf)

A– Smith 18yd pass from Scalf (kick failed)

 

 

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