Football Rolls in Kentucky, 71-21

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
 
GRAYSON, Ky. â€" The Eagles got back in the win column in a big way on Saturday against Kentucky Christian, as No. 21 Reinhardt scored early and often in a 71-21 blowout on the road over the Knights in the Mid-South Conference Appalachian Division opener.
 
The hometown team totaled 491 yards of offense and ran for 314 on the ground while scoring touchdowns in all three phases en route to earning a 4-2 record.
 
"We played the best we have played all season," head coach James Miller said. "We created turnovers, got after the quarterback, had some big plays on offense and created an advantage on special teams. Very excited how we played as a team and I hope that we can build on this momentum. I'm sure there is stuff we still need to correct in all three phases, but I'm proud of the effort and focus today… But we need to put this behind us and get on to Bluefield."
 
The fireworks got started on the opening snap as Montralius Mosely went 75 yards on a pass from Billy Hall for the early lead after the point-after attempt failed. Just under four minutes later, the Eagles found themselves up two scores following a four-yard touchdown run by Bryce Burgess.
 
Kentucky Christian would get back in the ballgame with a rushing score of its own â€" a 34-yarder â€" to get within 13-7. Mosely would later get back in the paint from one yard out for a 19-7 advantage following a failed two-point conversion.
 
Navarie Solomon would haul in a seven-yard strike to begin the scoring in the second quarter before the hosts would again respond with a touchdown (25-yard pass) for a score of 26-14 with 8:07 left before halftime.
 
The matchup would then be blown wide open after Satchel Crawford rolled into the end zone from 16 yards out after the Eagles forced a fumble. Trevae Cain scored from one-yard out with just seconds remaining before halftime at 40-14.
 
Isaiah Blake stretched his squad's lead even more after running in from nine yards away â€" his first of two scores â€" before the Knights got back on the board with a touchdown toss. They couldn't build any momentum, however, as Otis Odom took the ensuing kickoff 92 yards to the house.
 
Alex Hardy got into the action from the field as well, hitting it through the uprights from 42 yards away to make the score, 57-21, with just over a minute left in the third period. On the very next drive, Jon Perry got another defensive touchdown as he rumbled in from 21 yards away.
 
Hall was 5-of-9 for 130 yards and a pair of scores before giving way to Matthew Holt.
 
M'Calun Lanier had just two carries but led the squad in rushing with 65 yards. Twelve players registered carries in the win.
 
Solomon had 93 yards receiving on three catches with a long of 47.
 
Defensively, Malik Ransom was all over the field with 12 total tackles in the victory. Matthew Prather and company gathered five quarterback sacks, multiple signal caller hurries and turnovers.
 
Kellen Neal had a pair of interceptions as well.
 
The team comes back home next Saturday to take on the Rams of Bluefield (Va.) in an evening clash beginning at 6 p.m.
 
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