Photo by Christine Vreeman
On paper, #10 in 9-Man Kingsland (3-0, 4-0) hosting Houston (2-1, 3-1) in a week five battle looked nice. The Hurricanes only loss came after leading big in week four versus LeRoy-Ostrander. They entered the contest coming off a bye. But the Hurricanes also entered without top running back Maddox Rodriquez (injury versus the Cardinals). Kingland entered on a roll ever since trailing Mabel-Canton 22-0 in the first half in week one. Matt Kolling’s Knights left no doubt and their resurgence continued in a big way. Kingsland’s offense was a juggernaut, tossing out a 36-point first quarter to lead 36-6. The Knights put up 56 points in just three quarters of action, out-speeding, and out-powering Houston on the way to a dominating 62-20 victory. The three-headed offensive monster of Beau Wiersma (7-165, 4 TDs rushing), Ayden Howard (5-111, TD rushing, 2-57, TD receiving), and Kaaleem Reiland (7-46, 2 TDs rushing, 4-8, 103 yards, 2 TDs passing) was way too much for Houston. Wiersma had long TD runs of 45 and 70. Howard had a 65-yard TD run while catching a 55-yard TD pass from Reiland. Parker Johnson (15-yard TD reception) also caught a TD pass. Seven of Kingsland’s nine TDs came on the ground, as the Knights ran for 365 yards and had 468 total yards offense. Noah House had two sacks defensively. Kingsland had 13 total TFL’s. Houston was led by Morgan Rohweder (8-15, 152 yards, TD, INT passing), Lee Klunder (11-30, TD rushing, 3-55 receiving), Arik Melbo (2-89, TD receiving), and Aden Kulas (16-48, TD rushing). Rohweder hit Melbo on an 80-yard TD pass. Ethan Knutson was credited with 10 total tackles. Kingsland has now run for 418, 329, 477, 281, and 365 yards, a gawdy 374 yards a game. They have scored 40, 63, 54, 57, and 62 points, a gawdy average of 55 PPG. Wiersma eclipsed 1,000 rushing for the season, on just 53 carries for an equally gawdy 19.0 yards per carry. He is averaging over 200 yards per game. He has 58 offensive touches and 19 touchdowns. Reiland has given the Knights a passing and running option (684 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INT’s passing, 40-336, 5 TDs rushing) at QB, the passing part missing last year when he was thrust into the starter roll as a frosh due to injury. Howard had been equally adept on the ground (279 yards, 4 TDs) or threw the air (276, 5 TDs). By way of M-C’s win over formerly unbeaten #2 in 9-Man SG (4-1, 5-1), #10 Kingsland (4-0, 5-0) and #9 LeRoy-Ostrander (4-0, 5-0) lead the South-East ahead of a big matchup between the teams in week six. Houston fell to 2-2, 3-2.