The Rocket defense held Metcalfe to just 7 yards rushing the 2nd half.

*** See Homecoming Court & Queen-King photos ***

Rockets explode in 2nd
Crittenden beats Metcalfe 28-14

Marion, Ky. (Oct. 1, 2004) - A Rocket fumble here and interception there gave defending Second District champion Metcalfe County a sliver of false hope in the Hornets' first trip to Rocket Stadium Friday night.

After a rocky start and a 14-6 deficit, Crittenden County sprang to life for 22 second-quarter points and held Metcalfe at bay with a punishing running attack in the second half to win 28-14 in front of a big homecoming crowd.

Despite four turnovers, the Rockets maintained composure on offense and relied on some good line play to protect quarterback Austin Berry and open some penetrable gaps for Josh Franklin. Crittenden piled up 354 yards on the ground, including long touchdown runs by T.K. Guess and Cody Robinson.

Berry continued his pinpoint placement, completing 10-of-17 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns. The junior is on pace to set a new school passing record. He needs only 112 more yards to tie the mark. Through six games, Berry has completed 52 of 90 passes for 897 yards. He has thrown 11 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

Berry , however, fumbled on in the Rockets first possession of the game, giving the guests a short 21-yard field to score their first touchdown.

After the exchange, Robinson's 22-yard touchdown run ­ set up with receptions by Guess and Brad Hart ­ tied the game at six. However, the Hornets intercepted Berry late in the first period and again used great field position to go just 13 yards for a surprising 14-6 edge.

Gaining a taste of momentum on offense, Metcalfe's defense couldn't find an answer for the high-powered Rocket attack. Guess scored on the second play on Crittenden's next series after falling behind for the last time. Guess' 64-yard reverse started the second-quarter party and his touchdown brought the Rockets within 14-12.

Then, Guess recovered a fumble at the mouth his own end zone to stifle a Metcalfe threat before the junior caught one of Berry's two touchdown passes to cap a 95-yard drive. It gave Crittenden a 20-14 edge with 3:39 before the half.

Shawnte Moss' 24-yard touchdown catch put the Rockets far enough out front ­ 28-14 late in the second quarter ­ to drain Metcalfe's early enthusiasm.

Although Crittenden failed to put anything on the scoreboard in the second half, the Rockets dominated the game thanks to some hard running, mostly by Franklin. The junior fullback rushed for 97 of his game-high 136 yards in the second half. While Crittenden rolled up almost 200 yards in the last two periods, the scoring opportunities were nixed by a pair of fumbles deep in Hornet territory.

Meanwhile, the Crittenden defense held its ground, giving up just seven rushing yards the entire second half. The Hornets only movement late in the game came on some sporadic success through the air where QB Will Warf threw for 64 of his 133 yards. Crittenden's defense held Metcalfe out of the end zone late in the third quarter despite the Hornets picking up a first-and-goal at the one. Guess intercepted a pass on fourth down to stymie the threat.

The victory gives Critte a three-game win streak and its first district mark of the season. Crittenden, now 5-1 overall, travels to McLean County next week.