This story was written and all photos were taken by Paul Shepard. Photo caption: Centerpoint’s Ely Welch runs behind blockers Leo Hamilton, Gunner Kerberskey, Zaiden Allen and Levi Wright during the Knights’ 26-18 victory over Harmony Grove.

Centerpoint quarterback Tony Valdez connected with Ely Welch on an 8-yard touchdown pass with seven seconds remaining Friday, Oct. 23, lifting the Knights to a 26-18 victory over the Harmony Grove Hornets of Camden.

The win improved Centerpoint’s record to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play, setting up an important matchup Friday, Oct. 30, against Bismarck, which has an identical record.

The weather was nearly perfect for high school football, with comfortable temperatures and a large turnout of fans from both schools. Centerpoint’s cheerleaders wore pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and prepared a “fight cancer” banner for the team to run through as it entered the field.

Centerpoint captains Welch and Leo Hamilton met Harmony Grove’s captains at midfield for the coin toss, conducted by head official Stacy Moultrie. The Hornets won the toss and deferred to the second half, giving the Knights the opening possession.

Welch returned the kickoff 35 yards, setting up Centerpoint at the Harmony Grove 23-yard line. The Knights scored on their opening drive when Braxton Martin ran 11 yards for a touchdown. The 2-point conversion failed, leaving Centerpoint ahead 6-0 with 9:43 remaining in the first quarter.

Both defenses then forced punts before Harmony Grove began a possession at the Centerpoint 39-yard line. The Hornets scored on their first play, tying the game 6-6 after a failed 2-point conversion with 5:34 remaining in the quarter.

Centerpoint responded with a sustained 75-yard drive that carried into the second quarter. Relying primarily on its running game, the Knights moved downfield before Valdez scored on a 3-yard run. Another unsuccessful 2-point conversion left Centerpoint ahead 12-6 with 8:41 remaining in the half.

Harmony Grove answered with a lengthy possession of its own. The Knights appeared to have stopped the Hornets on fourth down at the Centerpoint 17-yard line, but a pass interference penalty gave Harmony Grove a first-and-goal at the 8.

The Hornets eventually scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass, with the receiver making a one-handed catch. The 2-point conversion failed, tying the game 12-12 with 4:24 remaining before halftime.

Centerpoint took over at its 23-yard line following a short return by Martin. The drive included a long completion from Valdez to Welch, but the Knights ran out of time just short of the goal line.

The teams went into halftime tied 12-12.

Both marching bands performed at halftime. The Honorable Knights Marching Band has earned superior ratings and first-place finishes in two regional competitions, qualifying for the state marching contest at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Harmony Grove received the second-half kickoff but was unable to sustain a drive. On third-and-6, Centerpoint’s Tristan Halcombe sacked the Hornets’ quarterback, forcing a punt.

The Knights took possession at their 47-yard line with 9:45 remaining in the third quarter and put together a 53-yard scoring drive. A long run by Levi Wright gave Centerpoint a first down at the Harmony Grove 36-yard line.

Martin capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run at the 6:39 mark. The 2-point conversion failed, giving Centerpoint an 18-12 lead.

Harmony Grove began its next possession near midfield but again struggled against the Knights’ defense. Hamilton recorded a third-down sack that forced another punt.

Centerpoint took over at its 19-yard line but lost a fumble to the Hornets. The Knights’ defense responded, however, with Jacob Rodriguez contributing a timely sack before Harmony Grove turned the ball over on downs early in the fourth quarter.

Centerpoint regained possession at its 20-yard line with 9:50 remaining but was stopped on fourth-and-2 at its own 29.

The Hornets took advantage of the favorable field position, eventually scoring on a quarterback run with 5:35 remaining. Another failed 2-point conversion left the game tied 18-18.

Following a kickoff that went out of bounds, Centerpoint started at its 35-yard line but was unable to sustain a drive and punted with approximately four minutes remaining.

The Knights’ defense then delivered one of the game’s biggest plays. Hamilton forced a fumble, which Centerpoint recovered at the Harmony Grove 38-yard line.

With the clock winding down and overtime becoming a possibility, Centerpoint faced third-and-4. Valdez completed a pass to Jayden Tyrrell, who added a long run after the catch to reach the Hornets’ 19-yard line with less than a minute remaining.

The Knights eventually faced fourth-and-1 at the 10-yard line with 23 seconds left. Valdez ran for just enough yardage to secure the first down.

An incomplete pass stopped the clock with 12 seconds remaining. Valdez then found Welch for an 8-yard touchdown pass, giving Centerpoint a 24-18 lead with seven seconds left.

This time, the Knights converted the 2-point attempt, with Welch carrying the ball into the end zone to make it 26-18.

Harmony Grove had one final opportunity, lining up near midfield for a desperation pass. But Centerpoint’s Mason Pinkerton sacked the Hornets’ quarterback as time expired, securing the victory.

Centerpoint finished with 228 rushing yards. Valdez completed 9 of 15 passes for 104 yards, including the game-winning touchdown.

The Knights will travel to Bismarck on Friday, Oct. 30, to face a Lions team that also enters the game at 6-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play.

Bismarck suffered its first conference loss the previous week against Prescott, which leads the conference with a 5-0 record.