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Wes McCard

Sports Editor

After starting the season off with two tough losses to Pike County and Stockbridge, the Upson-Lee Knights have scored 53 points in the last two games to earn victories over Eagle’s Landing and Central-Macon, bringing their 2012 season record to 2-2.

The Knights forced six Central-Macon turnovers, including two first quarter interceptions by senior Travis Pittman, which Pittman returned for touchdowns. The Knights had a 14-0 lead before they ever took a snap.

“We got a big win tonight,” said Knights head coach Tommy Watson. “After starting the season the way we did, and to come back over these last two weeks and get two victories says a lot about this team. I’m as proud of this football team as any team I have coached. The leadership on this team is amazing. These guys did not get down on themselves after a tough start, and in these last two games we are finding out what this team is made of.”

After Pittman returned interceptions of 35 and 26 yards for touchdowns, the Chargers got on the board for the first time as the second quarter began. The Chargers capped off an 11-play, 47-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown pass. The Central PAT was good, and with 10:51 left in the second quarter, the Knights led 14-7.

After a nice return by Corey Moss on the ensuing kickoff return, the Knights had a short field to work with. Just over a minute after the Chargers scored their first points of the game, the Knights answered with another score of their own. With 9:38 left in the second quarter, senior quarterback Moss found senior tight end C.J. Kirschmann wide open in the end zone for an 8-eight yard TD reception. Tyler Stewart’s PAT was good, and the Knights led 21-7.

The Knights’ defense continued to stifle the Chargers’ offense, forcing a turnover. With the Knights’ offense on the move once again, Moss who threw his second TD pass of the game. With 2:43 left in the first half, Moss found one of his favorite receivers, Toby Fuentes, over the middle of the Chargers defense. Fuentes made a nice catch at the five yard line, splitting two defenders and diving into the end zone. Once again Stewart’s PAT was good, and the Knights took a 28-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Knights added another score on a long 84-yard TD run from Moss. Out of the shotgun, Moss and running back Pennyman headed left with a speed option, but Moss kept the ball and out ran the entire Central team on the way to his third TD of the night. Stewart’s fifth PAT of the game was good and the Knights led 35-7 with just over six minutes left in the third quarter.

Moss added another rushing TD in the fourth quarter, capping off a 4-play, 17-yard drive after an interception by Joey Choy. Freshman corner back Shamare Bailey also added an interception in the fourth quarter, as the Knights went on to a 42-21 victory.

Upson-Lee is on a bye next week, and they will open up sub-region play in two weeks when they welcome the Spalding Jaguars to Matthews Field for Homecoming.