The Locker Room
by Jeff Wolfe

Kwasi Scott’s Night

BOX SCORE

Like a comet across the night sky, Scott was brilliant, rivaling what star gazers might see once in a lifetime. Pulaski County defeated Cave Spring, 48-18 as Scott sent statisticians to their calculators. He accumulated 353 all purpose yards and scored six touchdowns, including an 88 yard kickoff return for a score, laying claim to more records than can be mentioned here.

The Knights scored first on a 2 yard run by Brad Nichols. However, Tom Hagan’s PAT was blocked by Frank Cobbs.

Adam Roop returned the kickoff to the PC 46. On the first Cougar play from scrimmage, Scott took the handoff strait into the defense then cut right for a 36 yard gain. Then with 3^rd and 3, Scott took the quick pitch left for 6 yards and 1^st and goal at the 5. Two plays later Scott carried the ball in from the four to tie the score. Pulaski County took the lead 7-6 on Ashworth’s PAT, and would not trail.

Ashworth’s kickoff went out of bounds, giving Cave Spring the ball at their own 35. Nichols carried for no gain. Brandon Funk threw two incomplete passes. Hagan came on for a 26 yard punt.

From 2^nd and 8 Calfee carried the dive right for 7 yards. On the next play he was stopped for no gain and Peaslee came on to punt.

Nichols lost a yard and Funk threw incomplete. Nichols lost two more and Hagan punted.

Scott returned the punt for 1 yard, but a clipping penalty was assessed against the Cougars, walking the ball back to the 42. On second down Cobbs carried left after the criss cross for 5 yards. Then Scott carried for 7 more and a first down. Miller carried up the middle for 7 to the CS 38. With 3^rd and 3 Scott carried right for 9 then fumbled, but was able to cover it himself. The first quarter ended, and the teams changed directions.

Roop rolled left and passed to his closest receiver in the flat. Miller made the catch and ran the rest of the way for an 18 yard touchdown reception. Ashworth’s PAT increased the lead to 14-6.

Nichols returned the kickoff to the 20. Two plays later Funk threw beyond the receiver and incidentally into the hands of Calfee, who returned the interception 39 yards to the CS 6. Scott scored on the next play and Ashworth added a point to the scoreboard, 21-6.

Nichols’ return came out 16 yards to the 30. The Knight’s earned one first down rushing before a 3^rd and 9 incompletion. Nichols had taken the handoff to the right and pulled up for the halfback pass. His receiver was behind Calfee, but Nichols’ pass was poor. Punting was recommended.

On first down Scott took the handoff and cut to the right sideline for an 80 yard touchdown. Kwasi beat the last defender at the CS 20 where he slowed down, jousted the Knight with a stiff left arm, and continued uncontested for the score. Ashworth kicked the PAT to keep the score clean, 28-6.

Nichols fielded the return to the CS 46. Nichols carried the ball on the next four plays from scrimmage, but could manage only 9 yards total, and the ball was given over on downs.

Scott lost 2 yards on first down, and gained them back on second. Motion was noticed on the Cougar offensive line, and the ball was walked five yards back. Roop passed incomplete, and Peaslee came on to punt.

The Knight’s 2-minute offense assembled an 8 play drive to the Cougar 11. Hagan’s field goal attempt was blocked by Cobbs, ending the half.

Scott fielded the second half kickoff and ran strait ahead to midfield where he cut left to the sideline for an 88 yard touchdown return. Ashworth contributed another PAT to the 35-6 lead.

Nichols looked like he might break a return himself, but was stopped short at his own 37. He lost 2 yards on first down, Funk threw incomplete twice, and Hagan punted to Scott at the PC 40.

Roop dropped back to pass and embarrassed himself with a desperation throw as he fell, being surrounded for the sack. The last time he acted with such haste, the ball was returned by the defense for a touchdown. This time his punishment was lighter with only a penalty for intentional grounding and loss of down.

Calfee carried for seven to bring about 3^rd and 14. Roop got the call on a naked bootleg, but was met by the Knight defense for a chilling loss. Peaslee’s punt did not go far and the return came back to the original line of scrimmage at the PC 28.

Nichols carried left for a 21 yards and 1^st and goal at the 7. Four plays later Nichols carried over from the 1 yard line. The two point conversion pass attempt fell incomplete as the Knights trailed 12-35.

Scott returned the kick to the PC 30. Five plays later Scott carried the dive right for a 21 yard touchdown, his 5^th of the game. Ashworth scored his last point as a Cougar, extending the lead to 42-12.

The Knights opened the fourth quarter with a 58 yard touchdown pass to Jacob Lewis, beating both Scott and Calfee down the right sideline. Cobbs blocked the PAT, his third kick block of the night.

The onsides kick attempt was caught high and covered immediately by Billy Hale. Later with 3^rd and 11, Cobbs took the criss cross right for 44 yards to the CS 7. The fans chanted for Kwasi to get the call. Two plays later, Scott carried the ball in from the 4, his 6^th of the game, a new Cougar record.

The PAT failed, and the score would remain the same until the final, Pulaski County 48, Cave Spring 18.

Nichols would carry several more times until Funk threw an interception to Hale.

A two yard carry finished a fine VHSL career for Kwasi Scott, and he left the field to a standing ovation with 1:44 left to play.

Justin McGuire and Jarrett Porter had carries to help the time on the clock expire.

There was a general sense of joy on the field for the Cougar players. Not since 1992 had the Cougar football season ended with a win.

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