Skyler Robertson (39) and George Congenie (3) converge on Hancock's QB.

Rockets run out gas, lose 34-28
Injuries, turnovers, penalties cost Crittenden

Marion Ky. (Oct. 22, 2004) - Austin Berry and his high-powered Rocket offense ran short of stars and out of miracles as Crittenden County lost a heart-breaker 34-28 against Class A Second District favorite Hancock County Friday night.

In a courageous effort, the Rockets battled the sixth-ranked Hornets tooth and nail from start to finish, but when injuries took a major toll late in the game, Berry and his offense tried to move the ball down field with one arm tied behind their backs.

T.K. Guess, who played an incredible three quarters, Cody Robinson and Brad Hart were all sidelined with injuries when Crittenden tried to mount one last comeback in the final two minutes.

Blake Gardner, a running back, was split out as a receiver and sophomore tight end Jacob Courtney was called upon to make some big plays down the stretch. However, the Rocket hopes were dashed as Berry threw incomplete on fourth-down-and-two from the Hancock 34 with six second left. Rather than try for a short sideline pass to move the chains, Crittenden split three receivers wide to its side of the field. Berry threw it up for grabs at the five, but no one could come up with the ball, letting Hancock escape Rocket Stadium with most likely a district championship.

The game was back and forth the whole way, but penalties at critical junctures and four turnovers hurt the Rockets. Looming largest of all were the injuries late in the game. The Hancock-Crittenden rivalry has come to signify hard-hitting action and this game was no exception. Robinson, who had missed the last two games because of a virus, was out of gas and did not return for the second half. Guess and Hart, two integral cogs in the offense and defense, suffered concussions and were helped off the field.

It was Guess who had been a major factor in Crittenden's offensive punch for three quarters. He caught nine passes for 135 yards. Quarterback Berry, already the single-season record holder for passing yards, threw for a single-game best 304 yards, completing 24-of-36 passes. The highly acclaimed Hornet secondary, led by Michael Schwindel (who has committed to play at UK next year) was tough on the Rockets. Ironically, Schwindel didn't account for any of Hancock's three interceptions.

The Rockets only fumble was a costly one, coming as Crittenden had driven inside Hancock territory with just under seven minutes to play. The Hornets recovered the ball and marched down field behind their strong running backs ­ Josh Sanders and Jordan Doyle, who rushed for 232 yards. Hancock seemed ready to put the punctuation mark on its victory when Shawnte Moss intercepted a pass at the goal line with two minutes to play.

That gave Crittenden new life, but with most of its offensive weapons on the sideline, Berry's patchwork offense came up just short.

The victory gives Hancock (8-1, 4-0) a virtual lock on the district title with Caverna remaining on the schedule. Meanwhile, the Rockets will have a tough Russellville team at home next week with a second-place finish hanging in the balance.

T.K. Guess comes down with a catch in front of a Hancock defender.