The Carolina Golden Knights returned to action on Saturday evening following an extended holiday break for a rematch off the mountain with the Burke Storm, falling by a final score of 30-0.Much like the first half of the first encounter between the teams during the opening week of the season, the Knights hung tough with the Storm. Late in the second quarter, a Golden Knights interception was returned for a touchdown, providing Burke with a 14-0 halftime edge.
Carolina found its greatest success all season running the football, as two players, including quarterback Jonathan Hughes, combined for around 70 yards rushing for the contest.
“We’re doing a whole lot better. We moved the ball fairly well, especially running the football,” Golden Knights head coach Mark Beach said following the game. “I was excited to see us moving the ball and being able to get first downs. We had some people, including two of my starting offensive linemen and one of our starting defensive backs and long snapper on vacation. Jonathan Hughes stepped in at quarterback and helped us a bunch.”
The Knights had one of their better opportunities for points come by way of field goal attempt, but the kick was blocked to keep the squad scoreless. “I was excited that we had the opportunity to put points on the board,” Coach Beach said. “It was 14-0 at halftime, but they had to have the punt run back to put them up by that score.”
The Carolina defense played strong in their best effort of the season to date. Clifton Braswell recorded a quarterback sack in the contest and a number of players made key hits and blocks. Carolina primarily kept the football on the ground offensively, choosing to focus on rushing the football.
“We threw the ball maybe three times for the game, but we want to get where we can be consistently successful running the football,” Coach Beach added.
A scary moment took place in the game’s final play, as Knights player Brandon Ward sustained a hit and was briefly knocked unconscious. Ward rode back up the mountain toward Avery County following the game and experienced after-effects from the blow, so he was airlifted to Johnson City, where he underwent a number of tests and observation.
“Brandon was hit and it just knocked him out. He was given a CAT scan and everything turned out good and he was released on Monday,” Coach Beach remarked. “I think the difference in elevation got to him, and we’re just glad that everything looked good.”
Carolina will return for a home game this Saturday at 7 p.m. at Historic Cranberry High School Athletic Complex, where they are scheduled to take on the Glade Spring Pirates.
“We hope to have a number of our players back from injury this week. We wanted to make sure they took their time in getting healed up so they would be 100 percent when they get out on the field,” Coach Beach said. “We hope to have a big turnout this week as I see us continue to improve.”
The Carolina Golden Knights are a non-profit group that wishes to use proceeds from home games to help local individuals in need. The team hopes to minimize expenses to this effect, which includes the need to find officials who may share the team’s vision and offer their services at a lower rate than what the team is currently having to pay.
“In these non-conference games we play, it is great if we can find five officials who can help us with calling these games, it will help us save money and be able to pass that along to folks who can definitely use it,” Coach Beach stated.
