Crittenden County could not have written a better third-quarter script.
Caldwell County’s possessions in that period went interception, punt, interception and interception.
Meanwhile, Quinn Summers and Caden Howard hooked up for a pair of touchdown passes in the frame, helping the Rockets turn a 17-7 halftime deficit into a 21-17 lead. Crittenden then held off the Tigers late for a 27-24 triumph in the annual rivalry matchup Friday night in Marion.
The win means Crittenden will get to play at home against McLean County when the Class 2A playoffs begin in two weeks.
A trip to Hancock County awaits the Tigers in round one.
Caldwell (6-3 overall, 3-2 district) got off to a good start on Friday and appeared to be in good shape when it got the intermission with the 17-7 edge.
A 1-yard touchdown run by Colson Mattocks put Caldwell up 7-0 following Sutton Ritchey’s extra point midway through the first quarter.
Crittenden (6-3, 4-1) answered on a 13-yard pass from Summers to Dakota Sosh. Mitchell Brown’s PAT made it 7-7 late in the first period.
Caldwell responded midway through the second quarter on a 28-yard scoring run by Kam Wilson. Wilson left several defenders in his wake as he rambled into the end zone to help give Caldwell the lead.
The Tigers added to their margin just before the break. After recovering a Crittenden fumble, the Tigers got to the Rocket 3-yard line before accepting a 20-yard fied goal by Ritchey with just 1 second left in the half.
With Caldwell getting the ball to start the second half, the Tigers appeared to be in good shape.
However, the third quarter would prove to be a nightmare for Caldwell.
Kam Wilson was ruled out for the second half after taking a helmet to the leg late in the first half.
Without their leading scorer and top playmaker, the Tigers struggled offensively in the third period.
Caldwell’s first turnover in the stanza gave Crittenden great field position. The Rockets cashed in on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Summers to Howard to get within 17-14.
Later in the period, the duo hooked up on a 64-yard scoring connection deep down the right sideline. That gave Crittenden its first lead of the night at 21-17.
A 3-yard scoring run by Trae Taylor had the Rockets up 27-17 early in the fourth quarter.
Caldwell made things interesting late. A 24-yard run by Daelyn Lander set up a 1-yard scoring toss to Derek Wilson with just 4:04 left in the game. That cut the gap to 27-24.
But Caldwell would never get the ball back, as Crittenden ran out the clock.
The Tigers appeared to get a stop late when a 3rd-and-8 pass was stopped for no gain. However, Caldwell was called for a face-mask penalty on the play. That gave Crittenden a first down, and the Rockets merely had to kneel on the ball twice to finish off the win.
Summer had a big night for Crittenden. He was 13 of 24 passing for 195 yards and three scores. He also ran for another 96 yards on 16 carries.
Howard caught seven balls for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Sosh had four grabs for 61 yards and a score.
Crittenden totaled 286 yards and 16 first downs.
Caldwell had 246 yards and 13 first downs.
Lander ran for 91 yards and 12 attempts but was held to 11 of 26 passing for 74 yards.
Kam Wilson had 63 yards on seven rushes before being injured in the first half.
Drew Stevens caught five passes for 36 yards. Derek Wilson had four receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown.
Caldwell turned the ball over three times while Crittenden had two turnovers.
The Tigers were penalized 10 times for 105 yards. The Rockets were flagged six times for 40 yards.
Caldwell will finish the regular season next Friday with a trip to Murray (9-0).
Crittenden visits Hopkins County Central (2-6).
