Black Knights Rout Rockets

Tagged under: District 6, Gameday Hub, News

Brandon Maynard | September 11, 2023

The Moshannon Valley Black Knights shut out Southern Huntingdon Rockets 54- behind 4 rushing touchdowns by Tanner Kephart. The game, which started out on Friday at CNB Bank field in Houtzdale, had to be finished in Three Springs at the Rockets Home field due to lightning on Friday and unavailability of the field.

They each started off the game with punts on their first possession of the game. After a 5-yard punt from Moshannon Valleys QB/CB Jalen Kurten, the rockets were in good position to start a drive. However, on the second play, Kurten stepped in front of a pass from freshman QB Cohen Synder for an interception. Kurten returned it deep inside Black Knights territory. Setting them up in their own redzone. On the second play Tanner Kephart rushed for his first touchdown of the game. JC Smith added on the extra point to make it 7-0; Mo Valley with 2:06 left in the first quarter. The Black Knights defense got a big sack on third down by Rocco Reifer to the end the first.

After another punt by Southern Huntingdon’s Caleb Greenland to start the second quarter, Kurten connected with Luke Yarger for a 51 yard pass to set them up inside the 10. Leaving way for Kepharts second touchdown of the night. The PAT was blocked putting the score at 13-0. Once again, another sack caused the Rockets to punt again. This time it was JR Tyler Lobb(4 sacks). The teams then traded two more punts, with Greenland’s punt getting a good bounce to put it over the 50 yard mark. Moshannon Valley then put some fresh legs in running Reifer three consecutive times for a total of 40 yards. Kephart added 20 more in 2 carries with Luke Yarger capping it off with a 15 yard TD run. A flashy 2 point conversion made it 21-0. The next Rocket possession ended in two plays with Yarger grabbing his first interception of the game. Mo Valley gave the ball back as Greenland picked off Kurten. Southern Huntingdon couldn’t get going on the next drive due to two sacks by Kephart.

“They mixed up well, they we’re able to run and pass and we couldn’t stop either of them.” Said Rocket Head Coach Aaron Batzel.

The third quarter started out great for the Rockets as they recovered an onsides kick. But with a couple bad snaps and a penalty they had to punt it away. Which this punt was even longer than his last(Greenland). The Black Knights then put on a balanced drive which had a 38 yard pass to Micah Beish and ended with Kurten finding Luke Yarger for a 25 yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked which put the score at 27-0 with 6:12 left in the third.

Not much happened for Southern Huntingdon’s next drive which ended with Yarger’s second interception of the day. After an incomplete pass, Kephart had a huge 67 yard run for his third TD of the game. Smith added the PAT to make it 34-0 with 3:57 left in the third. Two plays into the Rockets next drive, lightning strikes prompting the officials to put the game on delay. After waiting until 10 pm the teams mutually decided to halt the game until Monday, September 11, 2023.Before the game between the JV squads in Three springs. The game restarted on a beautiful afternoon for football. After the Rockets turned the ball over on downs, it took two plays for the Black Knights Yarger to rush for a 35 yard TD. The PAT was a success making it 41-0. A strip sack gave the ball back to Mo Valley.  The very next play, Kurten found Beish for a  20 yard touchdown pass. The score was 48-0 after the Smith extra point. The Rockets gained 8 yards to end the third.

The 4^th quarter started with another turnover on down after and 8 yard loss by Synder. The next play Tanner Kephart scored his fourth TD of the game to make it 54-0. After a missed PAT, that’s where it stayed until the end of the game. “Our guys we’re ready, they were dialed in.” Said first year Black Knight coach Chris Davidson “We’re excited and ready for a good Rivalry against Glendale.” Key players for the Black Knights are: Jalen Kurten who finished 6-9 212 yards, 2 TDs INT and a pic himself. Tanner Kephart rushed 12 times for 180 yards, 4 touchdowns and adding 2 sacks. Luke Yarger had 5 carries 69 yard for 2 TDs, 4 catches 113 yards for 1 TD and 2 Interceptions. Tyler Lobb 4 sacks. The Rockets Key Player Caleb Greenland 1 Interception and 2 punts over 50 yards. Moshannon Valley plays Glendale Friday at home and Southern Huntingdon tries to turn it around against Curwensville.
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