Rocket running back Blake Gardner (32) rushed for 128 yards after coming back from a neck injury. Inset photos are of freshmen Jeramie Sorina (4) and Rodney Robertson (5) who got plenty of playing time in Friday's shutout win.

HOMECOMING GAME - Click Here for Court Photos

Rockets blitz McLean 48-0
Gardner rushes for 3 TDs, 128 yards

MARION, Ky. (Oct. 7, 2005) - Some football soothsayers had already written Crittenden County's football obituary and counted the Rockets out of the playoff picture in the Second District. However, Friday's 48-0 spanking of McLean County leaves the pundits searching for a new pallet to paint Crittenden's post-season portrait.

Posting their first shutout of the season, the Rockets displayed a savage defense in the early going, holding the Cougars to just eight yards in the first period. Meanwhile, Crittenden's offense ­ clipped at the wings by the virtual absence of leading receiver T.K. Guess ­ turned to a rugged running game and pounded out six first-half touchdowns.

Senior running back Blake Gardner came back from a neck injury last in Crittenden's disappointing loss at Metcalfe County to rush for 126 yards and returned the game's open kickoff 86 yards for one of his three touchdowns. Crittenden finished with 331 yards on the ground while McLean was held to just 77.

Guess, playing with torn cartilage in his shoulder, caught one pass on the first offensive series to set up the Rockets' second touchdown, but the senior receiver left the game and did not play again. He slightly aggravated the sore shoulder, but should be ready for next week's district game at home against Caverna.

The Rockets, following their lowest production in two years (just 12 points) last week at Metcalfe, were predicted to struggle against McLean, which came in riding a five-game winning streak. However, Crittenden never blinked in the first half en route to a 42-0 lead. The Rockets scored on five of their first six possessions as Josh Franklin tacked on two rushing TDs and QB Austin Berry threw a scoring strike to Shawn Farmer to end the half.

Freshman Jeramie Sorina, out last week for violating team rules, rushed for 76 yards ­ most of it the second half ­ and scored the Rockets' final touchdown in the fourth period.

Defensively, Crittenden forced the Cougars into six punts and seven fumbles. The Rockets recovered three of those mishandled balls as Gardner, Gaige Courtney and Barrett Sherer each posted recoveries.

With Guess on the sideline and the passing attack in first gear, Berry still managed to complete four passes to four different receivers in the first half and finished with 74 yards on 4-of-10 accuracy.

The Rocket defense came into the matchup with its ears pinned back and looking for some renewed respect from the prognosticators who figured Crittenden was dead in the water after losing on the road to Metcalfe and playing with Guess nursing an injury. Linemen Dustin Lanham and George Congenie made three tackles behind the line of scrimmage on the first two series as Crittenden started the homecoming dance a bit early. From the very start, the Rockets dominated every facet of the game.

One more victory will ensure the Rockets a berth in the playoffs. The preseason district favorite, Crittenden still has a tough battle with two key league matchups on the road at Hancock County and Russellville. Next week's final home opponent, Caverna, is winless in the district. Elsewhere in the district this week, Russellville beat Caverna and Metcalfe County beat Hancock County.