Facing a 21–17 deficit late in the third quarter and reeling after a bad snap led to a blocked punt, Simon Kenton needed a spark. The Pioneers found it on defense.
Campbell County took over at the Simon Kenton 35-yard line with a chance to extend its lead, but the Pioneers’ defense responded with a key stop, keeping the Camels off the board and shifting the game’s momentum. From that point forward, it was all Simon Kenton.
“We kind of just flipped the script at that moment,” Pioneers coach Joe Wynn said. “When you looked at our kids, they didn’t flinch.”
The Pioneers exploded for 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, turning what had been a tense battle into a 38–21 victory. The win secured a home playoff game and at least the No. 2 seed in Class 6A’s 6th District.
Simon Kenton’s dominance on the ground powered the comeback. The Pioneers rushed for 444 yards on 44 carries, with three different players surpassing the 100-yard mark.
“We talked about it going in the bye week, and that’s where our growth has been the most, our bye week. A lot of it’s cliche, but we won our bye week,” Wynn said. “We grinded, we were physical every day. Honestly, I think in the first couple weeks, we were soft, and that’s probably more on me than the kids and the game plan and our run game development. We did some power stuff and downhill run game more so than what we were doing, and it’s changed us last two weeks.”
PHOTOS: Slideshow provided by Charles Bolton
Landon Brown led the way with 21 carries for 176 yards and two touchdowns, quarterback Grant Webb added 149 yards on 10 carries, and Jordan Pendleton provided the finishing blows with 107 yards and two late scores.
“We just did what we had to do,” Brown said. “Thanks to the line came out there and blocked. Wouldn’t be able to do without them. We just piggybacked off that and kept on running the ball down their throat.”
For Campbell County, the loss was a tough end to an otherwise inspired performance. The Camels, playing through a rash of injuries and a five-game losing streak, pushed the Pioneers for three quarters.
“We knew it was going to come down to the fourth quarter. I was proud of the battle for four quarters,” Camels coach Brian Weinriech said. “You got to take advantage of situations and the blocked punt slipped through our hands. If we capitalize there, everything flips the other way.”
Backup quarterback Xander Guy threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns, including a 40-yard strike to Cade Anthrop late in the first half that cut the deficit to 17–14. His 29-yard touchdown pass to Gavin Richardson midway through the third gave the Camels a 21–17 lead and hope.
That hope faded after Simon Kenton’s defensive stand. The Pioneers’ offense immediately capitalized, as Brown broke free for a 29-yard touchdown to reclaim the lead. Later, with Campbell County threatening again, Eli Mullins intercepted a pass deep in Simon Kenton territory. Three plays later, Pendleton raced 22 yards for another score, putting the game out of reach. He added one more from 37 yards out to seal the win with under two minutes remaining.
The victory was Simon Kenton’s fifth of the season and sets up a district title showdown with Ryle next week in Union.
“We got to beat those guys to get where we want to be,” Wynn said. “We know the road to hoe there is whatever, but one week at a time, and Ryle is really good. But a chance to play for a district championship, what else can you ask for?,” Wynn said.
Campbell County (2–6) has now dropped six straight but continues to fight through adversity. The Camels will face Great Crossing next week, with playoff positioning on the line.
PIONEERS 38, CAMELS 21
CAMPBELL COUNTY — 0-14-7-0 — 21
SIMON KENTON — 0-17-0-21 — 38
Scoring Plays
2nd Quarter
(CC) Lairson 18-yard run (10:56) Minor kick
(SK) Mullen 28-yard FG (7:30)
(SK) Brown 1-yard run (3:21) Mullen kick
(SK) Webb 21-yard pass to Hughes (:37) Mullen kick
(CC) Guy 43-yard pass to C. Anthrop (:13) Minor kick
3rd Quarter
(CC) Guy 29-yard pass to Richardson (6:00) Minor kick
4th Quarter
(SK) Brown 29-yard run (11:53) Mullen kick
(SK) Pendleton 22-yard run (4:49) Mullen kick
(SK) Pendleton 37-yard run (1:47) Mullen kick
Game Stats
Passing Yards: Campbell County 203 (Guy 14/26, 202, 2 TD, 2 INT, L. Anthrop 1/2, 1 yd), Simon Kenton 135 (Webb 10/22, TD, INT)
Rushing Yards: Campbell County 90 (Bertram 12-72, Lairson 6-25, L. Anthrop 1-2, Guy 1-(minus) 9) Simon Kenton 444 (Brown 21-176, Webb 10-149, Pendelton 12-107, Harris 1-12)
Receiving: Campbell County (C. Anthrop 4-106, Richardson 4-72, Norwell 2-13, Earls 4-1, Bertram 1-(minus) 1) Simon Kenton (Harris 5-78, Pendleton 2-23, Forest 1-21, Ober 1-9, Schoborg 1-4)
Turnovers: Campbell County 2, Simon Kenton 1
Penalties: Campbell County 6-60, Simon Kenton 4-30
Records: Campbell County (2-6, 0-2), Simon Kenton (5-3, 2-0)