Trailing 14-13 at halftime, Rustin (6-1) came out in the third quarter began exploiting the left side of the Henderson defense.
With fullback Conor Burke (18 carries 104 yards, two touchdowns himself) leading the way, Taylor began chewing up yardage and retook the lead for good 20-19 on a Burke five yard run with just 3:39 gone in the third quarter.
” They were double and triple teaming (All-State Wide Receiver Anthony) Nash, so that has to leave them weak somewhere” said Rustin Head Coach Mike St. Clair, whose team had the ball for only 14 plays in the first half. “We were able to take advantage of it in the second half.
“They took advantage of some things”‘ said Henderson Coach Joe Walsh.
Following a fumble by Henderson Fullback Derek Matonti, Rustin then increased the lead to 23-14 when Placekicker Dylan Jenkins connected on a 28 yard field goal with 2:06 to play in the third quarter.
Henderson (5-2) then fought back. Trailing twice by nine points in the second half, the Warriors used two fourth quarter touchdown runs of 13 yards with 11:28 to play in the game (to cut the lead to 23-21) and two yards with 30 seconds to go to cut the lead to 30-28. Henderson then lined up for the onsides kick which was recovered by Nash. Ironically, it was Nash’s only touch of the night.
The Warriors took a 14-6 lead on Jones’s first two touchdown runs. His six yard run with 8:43 to go in the second period gave the Warriors a 7-6 lead then increased it to 14-6 with a 27 yard run just 3:17 later. Two missed opportunites the Warriors had could have swung the game their way.
Taking the opening kickoff, the Warriors drove from their own 23 down to the Rustin 16 all on the ground. On third and eight. Quarterback Jake Richards was intercepted in the end zone by Steinmetz. That would be the first of four turnovers by the Warriors on the night.. The second missed opportunity was a 36 yard field goal try by Placekicker Kyle Morton was just short as time expired in the second quarter.
“We just didn’t score enough points “said Walsh.
With the win, the Golden Knights will take on upset minded Oxford (a13-12 winner over Octorara Friday nite) next Saturday afternoon for their Homecoming, while the Warriors now try to regroup traveling to Coatesville next Friday night.
