It wasn’t a clean exchange between quarterback Westyn Amthor and runningback Brock Holmes, but the two managed to keep possession. (Photos by JR Chaney)
Blue Jay receiver Jack Meyerkorth catches a great pass from Westyn Amthor, in stride for the touchdown.
Blue Jay Gabe Gebhards, back right, comes down the line to get a tackle for a loss in the Rock Port win over Princeton.
The Rock Port Blue Jays traveled to Princeton, Missouri, on Friday, September 4, to take on the Princeton Tigers in high school football action. Princeton has a new coop with Newtown Harris and North Harrison. The Tigers were ranked 9th in the state going into Friday’s game. With the heat index over 100 degrees, both teams agreed to start the game a half hour later with a 7:30 p.m. start time.
Princeton took the opening drive the length of the field to score the first touchdown of the night. Rock Port’s Jack Meyerkorth would ignite the Blue Jays on the kick off taking it 70 yards to the house and a successful two point conversion. The Jays regained the lead. With a good defense, the Jays forced a punt which gave them great field position, but were unable to capitalize turning the ball over on downs. Princeton was able to move the ball, but on a fourth and long, they went for a field goal which was blocked by linebacker Brock Sebek-Holmes. The Jays ran two plays when quarterback Westyn Amthor hit wideout Logan Ellis on a go route. Ellis scrambled 85 yards up the sideline to extend the Jays’ lead 14 to 7. Defense had another good stand holding the Tigers to a four and out. Both teams would have chances, but it wasn’t until the start of the second quarter before Princeton would find the endzone again on a pass that would go 35 yards. The Tigers were successful on their two point conversion, getting the lead, 14 to 15. This was short lived as Amthor hit Meyerkorth on a go route giving the Jays the lead once again at 20-15. The Tigers matched Rock Port on their next offensive series scoring on a big pass two plays later. Eight plays later there were strong runs by Brock Sebek-Holmes and two big catches by Logan Ellis. With the ball on the one yard line, Sebek-Holmes punched it in to give the Jays the lead. This didn’t slow the Tigers down as their running back would scramble 60 yards for a touchdown. With the score 26-27 Princeton, the Jays would run eight plays and take three minutes off the clock before Sebek-Holmes would go off left side for a six yard touchdown. With a successful PAT, Rock Port was up 34 to 27. This would end the first half.
Rock Port started the second half receiving the ball and from the start, the Blue Jays worked on controlling the clock, taking 3:00 off on their first drive, before Westyn Amthor would sneak through for a touchdown. The Jays started to widen the gap making the score 42-27. Down two touchdowns, the Tigers scored once again and with a successful PAT it was 42-35. On their next drive, Rock Port managed to run 3:10 off the clock before scoring. This would wrap up the third quarter with a score of 50-35. On Rock Port’s drive to start the fourth quarter they would take almost 6:00 minutes off the clock before scoring. Princeton would keep clawing back scoring on a big catch and run by Wyatt Mays, but the Jays would continue to control the clock taking it inside of two minutes before Sebek-Holmes would punch it in from 25 yards out and all but seal the Jays’ win of 64-47.
Rock Port is at home for Homecoming this Friday, taking on the East Atchison Wolves.
