Through the Uprights

I entered John Gamble Stadium at 7:29 p.m. — just in time to see the kickoff as I walked to the press box for Kings Mountain’s game against North Gaston tonight. The homecoming game was moved up a day due to rain in the forecast tomorrow.

Here’s what’s happened while I set up:

KM received the opening kickoff but went three and out.

North Gaston also went three and out on its first possession.

Kings Mountain then put together a 6-play, 60-yard scoring drive, capped by Cameron Harris’ 34-yard TD pass to Zach Hopper. The extra point was no good and KM led 6-0 at the 7:28 mark fo the first.

After another NG punt, Kings Mountain drove 67 yards and scored again, this time on a 1-yard run by Carlos Bell. KM generated four first downs on four plays at one point in the drive. The Mountaineers went for two but Harris’ pass was no good. KM 12, NG 0, 4:21 first quarter.

Cameron Russell, hurt a few games ago, came in at quarterback for North Gaston on its next drive. He completed 2 of 5 passes for 10 yards and North Gaston picked up a first down for the first time tonight but the drive eventually stalled at the KM 31. KM takes over there with 1:01 left in the first quarter.

SECOND QUARTER
Kings Mountain QB Harris was sacked on the final play of the first quarter, then was intercepted by Jairus Ratchford on the first play of the second quarter when he overthrew his target by a long shot. NG takes over at the KM 37, 11:51 second quarter.

North Gaston picked up one first down but again turned it over on downs in KM territory. KM takes over at its own 24 with 8:35 before halftime.

Kings Mountain is putting together a nice drive, reaching the NG 15 in seven plays. NG has called timeout, 5:29 until halftime.

Two plays later, Harris found Cameron Roseboro wide open in the back of the end zone and hit him for his second TD pass of the night. The extra point was good. KM leads 19-0, 4:54 second quarter.

North Gaston picked up one first down on a KM pass interference penalty but that was all the Wildcats could muster. KM is killing itself with penalties. That’s six flags for 65 yards. North Gaston eventually punted from midfield. KM takes over at its own 27 with 3:15 to work with before the break.

A holding penalty and a sack backed up KM deep, but Harris nearly connected with Roseboro on a deep pass down the left sideline. Roseboro caught up with the pass and got two hands on it but couldn’t hold on. KM had to punt from its own end zone. After a 13-yard punt return by Laye, NG takes over at the KM 44. 1:38 til halftime.

NG has reached the KM 35 with 35.7 seconds to go. By the way, I failed to mention that Adams came back in at QB on the last possession and he’s at QB on this drive, too.

A 28-yard pass to Nick Newton puts NG at the KM 7.

Offensive pass interference in the end zone backed up NG to the 27 with 8 seconds remaining. Then Russell threw an incomplete pass, leaving the Wildcats 3.8 more seconds on fourth down.

KM hurried Adams on fourth down but he got the ball away and nearly hit Tyler Humphries in the end zone. The ball was tipped by a defender and Humphries just missed it, keeping the score Kings Mountain 19, North Gaston 0 at halftime.

THIRD QUARTER
We’re back underway. North Gaston received the kickoff.

North Gaston went three and out. KM ball at its own 27.

Kings Mountain drove to the NG 14 but was backed up by a false start penalty and later a sack by Joseph Laye. KM eventually turned it over on downs from the 27.

North Gaston picked up just one first down on its next possession with Russell back at QB. KM takes over at its own 25, 5:54 left in third.

Kings Mountain is putting together a time-consuming drive, reaching the NG 7 after 11 plays. The last play took us to the end of the quarter. KM will have third and five from the 7 when we resume.

End of third: KM 19, NG 0

FOURTH QUARTER
KM went for it on fourth and 1 from the 3 and Watson picked up the one yard. Two plays later, Watson sped to the left side, hit the corner and scored. Extra point was good. KM 26, NG 0, 10:17 fourth quarter.

Three and out for North Gaston. KM ball at its own 31 after the punt. 8:39 remaining.

Joseph Laye intercepted Harris and returned it about 39 yard for a touchdown, but the score was called back due to a holding call on NG. The interception stands, though. NG ball at the KM 49, 6:31 remaining.

KM intercepted Adams but fumbled the ball back to NG on the return. NG ball at its own 31, 5:02 remaining.

Both teams turned it over on downs, then NG ran two more plays before the clock expired. This one’s in the books.

Final: Kings Mountain 26, North Gaston 0

Thanks for following the blog. Be sure to check out the recap later tonight on gastongazette.com and varsitync.com.

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