This story was reported and all photos were taken by Paul Shepard. Caption for above photo: Centerpoint wide receiver Ely Welch catches a pass from quarterback Tony Valdez for a touchdown late in the first half to extend the Knights’ lead to 26-8.

The Centerpoint Knights overcame early adversity on Friday, Oct. 2 to defeat the Parkers Chapel Trojans, using a tenacious defense and an effective mix of passing and running. The 40-14 victory improved Centerpoint to 2-0 in conference play heading into its game against Smackover.

Centerpoint traveled to Parkers Chapel for the game. The threat of rain didn’t materialize and the cloudy night provided nearly ideal conditions for football.

Representing the Knights for the coin toss were captains Leo Hamilton and Gunner Kerberskey. Centerpoint received the opening kickoff, which went out of bounds, and began its first possession at its 35-yard line.

The opening offensive series was a disaster for the Knights. An apparent fumble on about the third play resulted in a scoop-and-score touchdown for the Trojans. The 2-point conversion was successful, giving Parkers Chapel an 8-0 lead and igniting the raucous homecoming crowd.

Centerpoint appeared to struggle with the crowd noise on its second possession, drawing two quick false-start penalties. The Knights then called timeout before facing first-and-20.

Quarterback Tony Valdez connected with Ely Welch for a first down. Later in the drive, after overcoming a holding penalty, the Knights faced fourth-and-8 from the Trojans’ 24-yard line. Valdez again found Welch, this time for a touchdown. Braxton Martin ran in the 2-point conversion to tie the game 8-8.

On the ensuing kickoff, Queon Best recovered an onside kick near midfield to give the Knights another possession. Centerpoint then executed a double reverse, with Jayden Tyrrell breaking loose for a long touchdown. The 2-point attempt failed, leaving the Knights ahead 14-8.

Centerpoint recovered another onside kick with less than four minutes remaining in the first quarter when Levi Wright secured the ball, giving the Knights possession at the Trojans’ 36-yard line.

Centerpoint drove to the 17-yard line, where Valdez connected with tight end Carson Cook for a touchdown. The 2-point attempt failed, extending the Knights’ lead to 20-8 with 11:49 remaining in the second quarter.

Parkers Chapel fielded the next kickoff cleanly and began its first sustained offensive possession with 11:40 remaining in the half. The Trojans drove to Centerpoint’s 27, relying largely on runs by their quarterback. An apparent touchdown was called back because of a block-in-the-back penalty, eventually leaving the Trojans facing third-and-9 from the 35.

The Centerpoint defense stopped the drive, and the Knights took over on downs at their 28.

Valdez again found Welch for a first down and later connected with him for another touchdown. The 2-point attempt failed, giving Centerpoint a 26-8 advantage.

With 4:06 remaining in the first half, the Knights kicked off to the Trojans, who began their next possession near midfield. Parkers Chapel eventually faced fourth down and failed to gain enough yardage, turning the ball over to Centerpoint with 1:40 remaining before halftime.

The Knights quickly went back to work. Hayden Dodson broke a long run, Valdez completed another pass to Welch and Martin finished the drive with a touchdown run. Welch ran in the 2-point conversion, sending Centerpoint into halftime with a 34-8 lead.

Parkers Chapel received the second-half kickoff and began moving downfield before turning the ball over on downs with 8:32 remaining in the third quarter.

Centerpoint then fumbled the ball back to the Trojans, who capitalized by scoring on a fourth-and-20 pass play. The 2-point conversion failed, cutting Centerpoint’s lead to 34-14 with 2:04 remaining in the third quarter.

The Knights took the ensuing kickoff and carried their possession into the fourth quarter.

On the first play of the final period, Martin scored on a 10-yard run. The 2-point attempt failed, giving Centerpoint a 40-14 lead with 11:53 remaining.

Parkers Chapel was forced to punt on its next possession, giving the ball back to Centerpoint with 5:43 remaining.

The Knights began their final drive at their 25-yard line, relying primarily on Dodson running up the middle behind his offensive line. After securing a first down with 1:50 remaining, Centerpoint went into the victory formation, with Valdez taking a knee to run out the clock.

Valdez completed eight of 10 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns. Centerpoint also rushed for 262 yards.

The Knights next host the Smackover Buckaroos for homecoming Friday, Oct. 9.

Smackover entered last week ranked among the top teams in Arkansas Class 3A. While Centerpoint was playing Parkers Chapel, the Buckaroos hosted another highly ranked team, the Bismarck Lions. The game was tied 27-27 at the end of regulation before Bismarck prevailed 33-27 in overtime.

The loss dropped Smackover to 4-1 heading into Friday’s matchup with Centerpoint.