Facingahostofsloppyconditions and even a 30-minute weather delay, the Kingston Redskins finished off a perfect run through Class 2A football district play last week with a 43-6 road win at Roland.
Coach Brad Hill’s squad raced to a 29-0 advantage after one period and cruised the rest of the way to finish the regular season with a 9-1 record.
Kingston opens the 2024 Division I playoffs at home Friday with a 7 p.m. kickoff against Sperry.
The Redskins scored early and often in the contest, including a 49-yard touchdown pass from Reid Patterson to Eli Oliger just three minutes into the game before lightning stopped the contest for a short period.
Following the delay, Cash Walker quickly intercepted a Ranger pass to set up a Hudson Everhart three-yard scoring blast for a 12-0 edge. Sam Walker followed by covering a Roland fumble that gave Kingston great field position for a 17-yard touchdown pass from Patterson to Ty Jones. Blake Wise’s extra point made it 20-0 with 2:24 left in the quarter.
Less than a minute later the lead had ballooned to 29-0 as the Redskins scored a safety by tackling the Roland quarterback in the end zone following a snap over his head.
Kingston’s offense then cashed in the free kick on Sam Walker’s 34-yard scoring burst. Jaime Lewis’ extra point capped off the first period scoring.
Everhart contributed a seven-yard touchdown run with 5:39 to go in the first half before the visitors carried a 36-6 cushion to intermission.
The lone touchdown in the second half proved to be a spectacular 94-yard jaunt by Patterson following a goal line stand by the Redskin defensive unit.
“It was a sloppy game for sure with the weather and we fought through some adverse conditions to get the job done,” Hill commented. “I thought our line played very physical and the skill kids did great in spite of the conditions with water standing on the field and wet football most of the night. It was good to face something like that because you’re going to have to face other adverse conditions the longer you continue in the playoffs. It was beneficial for usinthatrespectbecauseyou neverknowwhatyou’regoing to have to deal with as you get into late November and even possibly December.”
With the unbeaten district title under their belts, the Redskins now embark on other goals beginning with Sperry on Friday night for the first of two possible home games in a row.
“Sperry has a good football team,” Hill said. “They tied for third in a very tough district but ended up fourth in a tiebreaker. They have some really good athletes and are well coached. They also have good size so it will be a challenge.