The Northeastern Knights continue to control their own destiny in the Tri-Eastern Conference football race after defeating visiting Knightstown 56-20 on Friday, Oct. 11, to remain unbeaten in league play. The Knights built a 22-0 lead after the first quarter and took a 30-20 lead into the halftime break. The Knights blew the game open in the second half, scoring 26 points and holding the Panthers scoreless.
The Knights took an early lead before the Panthers clawed their way back into the game by scoring 20 second-quarter points, trimming their deficit to 30-20 at halftime. The Knights’ defense kept the Panthers out of the end zone in the second half and rolled to a 36-point win to clinch at least a tie for the TEC championship.
The statistics were closer than the final score would indicate.
Bryor Carmichael connected on 17 of 28 passing attempts for 250 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers. Blake Waters was 12-19 for 230 yards and two touchdowns for the Knights. The Panthers gained 192 yards rushing led by Jameson Crawford with 146 yards and two touchdowns. The Knights rushed for 303 yards. Dylan Ross led the Knights with 182 yards and three touchdowns. Waters had two rushing touchdowns and Colton Creech rushed for another.
Zane Schneider had a game-leading 20 tackles for the Knights. Charlie Shaffer had 10 tackles; Dakota May and Marshall Phillips each had nine.
The highlight moment of the night happened before the game ever started and did not make the stat sheet. Adrian Denton, the Northeastern mascot, donned uniform # 25 and ran untouched for a touchdown. Members of both teams surrounded him in the end zone after he scored to celebrate. It was a heartwarming moment of sportsmanship.
The Knights will travel to Hagerstown on Friday, Oct. 18, to close out regular-season play for both teams, with an opportunity to clinch the TEC title outright.
Northeastern (8-0, 7-0 TEC) 22 8 19 7 56
Knightstown (5-3, 5-2 TEC) 0 20 0 0 20
A version of this article appeared in the October 16 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.