Kingston tops Lindsay to win district

Friday night saw the end of Kingston’s regular season, as the Redskins traveled to Lindsay for the Leopards’ Senior Night. Just like 2018, this season-ending tilt had the added flavor of playoff implications. Both the Redskins and the Leopards came into the game undefeated in district play, and the championship of District 2A-8 would go to the winner. In the end, the Redskins proved too much for the Leopards, and won their second consecutive district title with a 33-12 victory.

Kingston’s first drive featured the elements that had led the Redskins to their undefeated district record. Tough running by senior running back Tanner Showalter moved the chains, and then a highlight reel catch and run by junior running back A.J. McKinney converted the only third down of the drive as McKinney went out of bounds at the Lindsay 1. Junior quarterback Jase Hayes took the ball in on a quarterback sneak to give Kingston the early 7-0 lead.

Lindsay came out for their first drive, and after the Leopards’ drive got off to a great start. Senior receiver Stephen Singleton made a great catch on a pass from senior quarterback Kaden Merrell to convert a third and 15 from the Leopards’ own 16 to move the ball to the Lindsay 43. The next play, however, showed just how the night would go, as Merrill coughed up the football as he ran a quarterback draw, and McKinney scooped up the bouncing ball and returned the fumble 46 yards for a Redskins touchdown, putting Kingston up 14-0.

Lindsay’s next drive was a three-and-out, and the Redskins went back to work. Tough running by Showalter, McKinney, and sophomore running back Brandon Watson moved the ball into Lindsay territory, but Kingston faced fourth and four from the Lindsay 41. Kingston head coach Tommy Bare showed his trademark aggressiveness on fourth down, leaving his offense on the field. Hayes rewarded him with a long touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Tyler Blanchard, wide open after his defender fell down, and Kingston’s lead was now 20-0 late in the first quarter.

Lindsay finally put together a good drive, with Merrell running and passing well, moving the ball to the Kingston 25.

This time, it was junior Lane McKee who made the mistake, losing the handle on the football on a run up the middle, and the Redskins recovered to end the Leopards’ threat.

Taking over at their own 22, the Redskins kept the ball on the ground, as Kingston’s troika of Showalter, McKinney and Watson pounded away at the Lindsay front, methodically moving the ball to the Lindsay 20. Facing fourth and three from the Lindsay 20, Coach Bare kept his offense out again, and speedy junior wide receiver Jarron “Boomer” Morgan handled a reverse pitch from Watson and took it the distance, expanding Kingston’s lead to 26-0.

Down four scores, the Leopards showed no sign of quitting, as Lindsay’s offense finally came awake, moving the ball to the Redskins’ 10. However, the Redskins’ defense had also come to play, as junior linebacker Jesse Rose forced another fumble from Lindsay’s Merrell, and senior defensive lineman Caleb Yeager scooped up the football to end the Leopards’ threat. After Kingston went three and out, the defense would show up again two plays into Lindsay’s next drive, as the Redskins hit Merrell as he threw, and the errant pass was intercepted by junior Matthew Flesher for the Leopards’ fourth turnover of the half.

After Kingston’s offense stalled out when a flag for ineligible player downfield wiped out another long pass to McKinney, Lindsay took over at midfield with 1:20 left in the half, and finally sustained a drive. Assisted by multiple penalties by the Redskins, the Leopards drove down the field and broke the shutout when Singleton made a spectacular fingertip catch and scored from 20 yards out with 9 seconds left in the half, and Kingston’s lead was trimmed to 26-7 at half.

Lindsay took that momentum into the second half, driving 73 yards after receiving the opening kick, and Merrell hit Singleton again for a 9-yard score to close the margin to 26-12, Kingston. Kingston’s next drive ended with Hayes throwing a fourth-down interception to senior Chance Austin, and Lindsay looked poised to make a game of it. On fourth down from the Redskins 25, Yeager broke through for a driveending sack, and Merrell’s frustrated spike of the football after getting up drew a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct, effectively giving Kingston the ball at the Redskins 46

The Redskins, given good feild position, moved to put the game away. With McKinney briefly sidelined by injury, Watson pounded the ball on six consecutive runs, eventually reaching the Lindsay 30. With the Leopards’ tiring defense keying on Watson, Hayes handed the ball to Showalter, who scooted 30 yards for the end zone, giving Kingston a 33-12 lead.

The Leopards desperately tried to keep their flagging hopes alive, as they moved the ball down to the Redskins 26. On fourth and two, Flesher and junior linebacker Bryant Watts combined to sack Merrell to end Lindsay’s threat again with a turnover on downs. This proved to be Lindsay’s last drive, as Kingston took over with 7:43 remaining, and ran out the clock. Kingston’s reserves came in for the last two minutes, and drove the ball to the Leopards’ 11, then went into the victory formation as the Kingston fans celebrated the 21-point victory.

Hayes led the Redskins in passing, completing 4 of his 8 attempts for a touchdown and an interception, as well as a rushing touchdown. McKinney led all rushers with 92 yards on 12 attempts and a touchdown, while Showalter had 86 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown, and Watson had 83 yards on 18 carries. Blanchard led Kingston’s receivers with 41 yards on 1 reception and a touchdown. Junior linebacker Bryant Watts had his best statistical game of the season, leading Kingston’s defense with 17 tackles and two sacks.

Coach Bare said his team played a physical ballgame but was pleased to be injury free.

“[It’s a] great road victory to secure a back-to-back district championship.”

Bare said his Redskins must now focus on Community Christian, Kingston’s firstround playoff opponent

Lindsay (6-1, 8-2) finishes the season in second place in the district, followed by the third-place Davis Wolves (5-2, 5-4) and fourth-place Comanche (4-3, 6-4), which beat fifth-place Dickson (3-4, 3-7) to squeak into the playoffs. Dickson, Coalgate (2-5, 2-8), Marietta (1-6, 1-9) and winless Tishomingo (0-7, 0-9) are all home for the rest of the season. Kingston (7-0 district, 9-1 overall) won its second consecutive district crown, after a decades-long drought. Kingston moves on to host Community Christian (4-3, 5-5), the fourth-place finisher in District 2A-7. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Harold ABulldog” Henry Field.

EXTRA POINTS

Winning the district puts Kingston in excellent position in the 2019 playoff bracket. If Kingston wins this week, then the Redskins will host the winner of Hugo (6-1, 7-3) (2nd place, District 2A-6) and Spiro (5-2, 8-2) (3rd place, District 2A-5). Notably, Kingston’s bracket features undefeated defending state champion Sperry (7-0, 10-0) (1st place, District 2A-3). The Pirates gave the Redskins their only loss of the season in Sperry, but if they meet for the state quarterfinals, the rematch would take place in Kingston.

While it is premature to look ahead to Sperry, after the win over Lindsay, the Redskins look primed for a great run in the playoffs. A powerful running game, a rugged defense, and good passing at key points will make Kingston a tough out for anyone. Hayes finally threw two interceptions against Lindsay after 5 weeks of not throwing any, but his clutch passing was on point against Lindsay. If the Redskins can control their mistakes, they can contend for a state title.