This story was written and all photos were taken by Paul Shepard. Above photo: Centerpoint running back Hayden Dodson following blockers Gunner Kerberskey and Zaiden Allen as quarterback Tony Valdez looks on after handing off the ball.
The Centerpoint Knights hosted the Spring Hill Bears in the team’s first home game of the season Friday, Sept. 18, winning 28-20 in double overtime.
While the night was warm, it didn’t seem as oppressively hot as every previous game or scrimmage the Knights have played so far during this young season. A relatively small but vocal crowd and traveling band filled the visitors’ bleachers, while the home crowd and full Centerpoint band filled their side.
Spring Hill won the coin toss and deferred, giving Centerpoint the opening kickoff. Throughout the game, both teams elected to “pooch kick” toward the opponent’s sideline in an effort to limit the opportunity for a long return or potentially recover the kick.
The Knights’ first drive ended with a fumble. The Bears and Knights traded possessions, and the first quarter ended without either team scoring.
That changed during the second quarter when the Bears put together a sustained drive that culminated in a 7-yard touchdown run. Spring Hill successfully converted the 2-point attempt, taking an 8-0 lead with 5:39 remaining in the first half.
Centerpoint received the ensuing kickoff near midfield and put together a drive that resulted in an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tony Valdez to tight end Carson Cook. Ely Welch ran in the 2-point conversion to tie the game 8-8.
That remained the score at halftime after Welch intercepted a Spring Hill pass with only seconds remaining.
The third quarter began with the Bears receiving the kickoff and sustaining a drive that resulted in a touchdown, with the quarterback sneaking into the end zone from 1 yard out. The 2-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, giving Spring Hill a 14-8 lead with 8:21 remaining in the third quarter.
Centerpoint wasn’t able to do much with the ball on its next drive and punted, pinning the visitors deep in their own territory as the third quarter neared an end. As the fourth quarter began, the Knights forced the Bears to punt and took over near midfield.
Centerpoint drove the ball mostly on the ground and scored on a 3-yard run by Welch. The Bears stopped the 2-point conversion attempt, leaving the game tied 14-14.
Spring Hill received the next kickoff near midfield with about eight minutes remaining and proceeded to march down the field. With less than three minutes remaining, the Bears faced third down at the Centerpoint 1-yard line.
Welch tackled the Spring Hill running back behind the line for a 3-yard loss, bringing up fourth down at the Knights’ 4-yard line with 2:21 remaining.
On the next play, Centerpoint stopped the Bears at the 1-yard line and took possession with about two minutes remaining. The Knights couldn’t do much with the ball so deep in their own territory and eventually punted. Spring Hill’s offense also stalled, sending the game into overtime tied 14-14.
In overtime, each team took possession at the opponent’s 10-yard line and had four downs to score. Spring Hill went first and, aided by a penalty, scored on a quarterback sneak. The Knights stopped the 2-point conversion, giving the Bears a 20-14 lead.
On Centerpoint’s possession, Valdez scored on a 2-yard run. With an opportunity to win the game on the 2-point conversion, Valdez’s pass fell incomplete, leaving the score tied 20-20 and forcing a second overtime.
The Knights began the second overtime on offense and worked their way to the 2-yard line, where they faced fourth down. Welch collided with the Spring Hill defensive line at the goal line but got the ball across for the touchdown, giving Centerpoint a 26-20 lead.
Valdez then connected with Cook for the 2-point conversion, extending the lead to 28-20.
Spring Hill still had its possession in the second overtime, but a strong stand by the Centerpoint defense left the Bears facing fourth down at the 16-yard line.
The game appeared to be over when a pass fell incomplete, but a pass interference penalty gave Spring Hill another opportunity from the 8-yard line. The Bears’ running back was tackled for a loss on the final play, sealing Centerpoint’s 28-20 victory.
Centerpoint produced 253 yards of total offense, including 163 rushing. Valdez, Welch and Braxton Martin each rushed for about 50 yards. Valdez added 90 yards passing, including the 11-yard touchdown pass to Cook, who also caught the final 2-point conversion in the second overtime.
Centerpoint, now 2-1, will host the 0-3 Horatio Lions at Knights Stadium on Friday, Sept. 25.
