HUNTINGTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Two of the top teams in West Virginia went head-to-head in Huntington Friday.
The #3 ranked Cabell Midland Knights downed previously undefeated and #1 ranked Huntington Highlanders 31-21. The Cabell County rivals play annually in the Battle for the Shield.
The loss drops the defending champion Highlanders to 7-1.
Cabell Midland’s only loss this season came last week to #2 Hurricane. With the win, the Knights snapped Huntington’s 20 game winning streak.
The Knights came out hot. On the very first play of the game, senior quarterback Robert Shockey pitched the option to star running back Curtis Jones Jr who took it 66 yards for a touchdown. After recovering a Highlanders fumble, Midland continued to keep things rolling. Shockey found the end zone on a quarterback draw up the middle, extending their lead to 14-0. Following another long rushing score by Jones Jr., Huntington found themselves trailing 21-0 very early in the second quarter.
The Highlanders refused to roll over. Helped along by junior running back Zah Jackson and some penalty yardage, Huntington put together a nice drive capped off with a score. Junior quarterback Avante Crawford found tight end Markell Jones open in the flat for a 10 yard touchdown with just under four minutes to go in the half.
Knights’ kicker Tony Hornbuckle knocked in a 37 yard field goal to bring the score to 24-7 heading into the break.
At the end of a mostly quiet third quarter, Avante Crawford found Malik McKneely on the left side of the field for a 20 yard touchdown, bringing the score to 24-14. With nine minutes remaining in the game, Crawford hit Tayveon Wilson on a slant over the middle for an 18 yard score bringing the game to within three points.
After running some clock, the Highlander defense put the Knights head coach Luke Salmons in a tough position. With just over five and a half minutes left on the clock, Cabell Midland was looking at fourth down and five yards to go on their own 35 yard line. Quarterback Robert Shockey, who is tasked with punting duties as well, executed a masterful fake punt and rushed for 25 yards and a Knights’ first down. From there, the Knights melted the clock away and sealed the game with yet another Curtis Jones Jr. rushing touchdown.
Next up, the 7-1 Knights look to keep things rolling on the road against Riverside, while the Billy Seals led Highlanders hope to bounce back at home against Hurricane. Both games are scheduled for November 3rd.