Knights sprint past Eielson

Aug. 12, 2007

By ADAM RAEDER/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

FAIRBANKS - The Eielson Ravens wanted to show the Colony Knights that they weren't intimidated by their size or sheer numbers, and that they were playing to win.

For the first few minutes, it all went according to plan.

The Ravens recovered on onside kick to open the game and ran the ball deep into Colony territory.

But the success wouldn't last long.

The opening drive stalled at the Colony 10-yard line, and it was all Knights the rest of the way.

Colony's line dominated the smaller Eielson squad on both sides of the ball and Jaron Murphy ran all over Buck Nystrom Field, picking up 188 yards in his first varsity start at running back as the Knights bested a short-handed Eielson 47-0 in the season opener for both squads.

&#8220When we were fresh, we were doing some good things in the first quarter, but it just wears on you,” Eielson coach David DeVaughn said. &#8220Big pounds on you. We were subbing maybe one or two kids every chance we could get, but when you look and there's only five to choose from, that's a problem.”

The big Colony line, led by 6-foot-3, 375-pound left tackle Hiram Ducasse, went to work on Eielson early and often as Murphy ran around, through and over the Eielson defense for 163 yards and three scores before halftime.

&#8220It was pretty good,” Murphy said. &#8220The linemen blocked pretty well, so I didn't have to do that much, just ran through those big holes.”

After the Ravens used their trademark smash-mouth style of play to grind out 38 yards on their first drive, Eielson - playing without starting quarterback Colten Growden and starting running back Chance Renfro - managed just 23 yards of offense the rest of the game.

&#8220Without Chance and Colten, it's really hard because we have to make adjustments on defense and offense, like our quarterback (Charles King) played quarterback for five days before this,” said Eielson running back Josh Langfield, who led all Ravens with 24 yards on 11 carries. &#8220It was very hard, but we have to adjust and keep our heads up.”

King, a sophomore and converted receiver, struggled in his first action at quarterback, completing just two of his 10 passes while throwing three interceptions.

With King struggling, the Knights were able to load the box and shut down the Ravens' running attack.

&#8220We were running in the middle, so they kept somehow getting away from our lineman and hitting us after 1- or 2-yard gains,” Langfield said. &#8220They figured us out pretty quick.”

After a bad Eielson punt gave the Knights the ball on the Eielson 10-yard line, Murphy put Colony on the board with a off-tackle scamper through the right side of the Ravens defense.

Two more Murphy touchdown runs made it 19-0 midway through the second quarter. Then, an interception by Murphy set up quarterback Bradley Truax's only touchdown pass of the game and the rout was on.

&#8220I think for an opening game, a new bunch of kids, they did a real good job on execution; they did a real good job on intensity level regardless of what the score was or situation,” Colony coach Jamie Mayo said. &#8220We had a couple of turnovers where they had a chance to score and we shut them down.”

Though it was a tough opener for the Ravens, they still found a handful of highlights - many of them thanks to sophomore Kevin Barnicle.

Barnicle twice came within one defender of taking a kickoff back for a score, and the linebacker also returned an interception to the Colony 10-yard line.

&#8220We had some sophomores step up big like Kevin Barnicle,” DeVaughn said. &#8220And Josh Langfield, you know, he's the least dinged-up of our backs, he was playable, and he played his heart out today on both sides of the ball. There's definitely some bright spots.”

And for the Ravens, who expect Renfro to be back next week against Houston and Growden the following week against Barrow, the biggest win Friday was just staying healthy.

&#8220Hey, we're healthy, and that right now is probably the main thing,” DeVaughn said. &#8220The kids gave us everything they had, and you can't ask more than that as a coach.”

Contact staff writer Adam Raeder at (907) 459-7583.

KNIGHTS 47, RAVENS 0

Friday, Buck Nystrom Field, Eielson AFB

Colony 6 21 7 13 - 47

Eielson 0 0 0 0 - 0

First quarter

Col-J. Murphy 10 run (kick failed), :26.9.

Second Quarter

Col-J. Murphy 7 run (pass failed), 9:57.

Col-J. Murphy 5 run (kick good), 5:05.

Col-Mouton 3 pass from Truax (run good), 2:13.

Third Quarter

Col-Mouton 7 run (kick good), 2:12.

Fourth Quarter

Col-Kreig 2 run (pass failed), 9:57.

Col-Mouton 6 run (kick good), :15.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING- Colony, J. Murphy 15-188; Mouton 15-92; Kreig 8-32; Truax 4-(-6). Eielson, Langfield 11-24; Sprankle 9-23; Nelson 4-12; King 4-2; Rogers 2- (-8).

PASSING-Colony, Truax 8-18-2-82, C. Murphy 2-2-0-23. Eielson, King 2-10-3-8.

RECEIVING-Colony, Mouton 3-16; Rupe 2-26; J. Murphy 1-17; Jaronik 1-13; Scott 1-10. Eielson, Nelson 1-5; Sprankle 1-3.