In a battle of neighboring counties and in some cases families divided, the Upson-Lee Middle School Knights traveled to Zebulon to take on the Pike County Middle School Pirates.
The Knights defense stifled the Pirates for much of the game, and for the Knights offensively, it was the “Kalen Puckett Show.” The eighth grade quarterback threw for over 200 yards and three passing touchdowns, and had a 48-yard rushing touchdown, all in the first half.
Puckett threw a 47-yard TD pass to wide out Quay Battle, to get the Knights out to a 6-0 lead. On the Pirates’ next drive they found one of their receivers for a long touchdown pass, tying the game up 6-6.
As the first quarter was coming to an end, Puckett led the Knights to yet another touchdown, this time with his legs, running past defenders on his way to a 49-yard score. The Knights’ two point conversion was good, and they led 14-6. In the second quarter, the Knights continued to put points on the board, when Puckett found his man Battle once more. Puckett threw a five yard hitch to Battle, who escaped a tackle and burned down the field for a 38-yard touchdown catch.
With the Knights leading 20-6 in the second quarter, Puckett found Clark Daniel in the flats on a out pattern. Daniel stiff-armed one Pirate and broke three more tackles as he made his way to the end zone on a 42-yard touchdown catch. Daniel carried a defender over the goal line to give the Knights a 28-6 lead at the half.
In the second half of play, the Knights back-up quarterback, Tanner Crews, got in on the action, tossing a 50-yard touchdown pass to Battle. Battle finished the game with three touchdown catches, and the Knights cruised to a 34-12 victory.
The Knights will host their first home game of the season next Wednesday, when they welcome Cowan Road Middle School to Matthews Field. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m.
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