Tigers Can’t Keep Up After First Quarter, Fall 45-22
Photo Courtesy Of Terri Wilson Kelly
Princeton Defenders swarm to the ball to make a tackle during the Tigers’ 45-22 loss to Maysville Friday night on Eddie Allen Field.
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Without consistent offense, Princeton succumbed to a 45-22 loss to the visiting Wolverines at Eddie Allen Field.
“I think we struggled to achieve an offensive rhythm much like the earlier games this season,” Princeton head coach Nathan Powell said. “We’ve been able to hit plays here and there to stay in games but we’ve struggled being consistent.”
Princeton certainly hit the big plays early on.
Andrew Rhoades answered Maysville’s initial touchdown with a 76-yard kickoff return for a score and Tyler Brown carried in the 2-point conversion to tie the game at 8-8. Logan Smith then found Talan Holt for a 27-yard touchdown pass and Brown’s second 2-point conversion actually gave the Tigers a 16-15 lead after one quarter of play.
Maysville would continue to find points, however and Princeton’s big plays dried up as the Wolverines built some breathing room.
Maysville would score twice more in the second quarter and once in the third to open up a 39-16 lead and effectively put the game away.
Princeton found the end zone one more time in the fourth quarter as Andrew Rhoades broke free for a 62-yard touchdown run. Maysville answered that score late to give the game its final margin of 23 points.
Princeton was out-gained in total yards 440-182. Rhoades paced the Tigers with 104 yards on 13 carries. No other Tiger rushed for more than eight yards in the loss.
Smith completed just three passes, finding Holt on the 27-yard touchdown, Rhoades on a 24-yard gain and Gavin Power on a 17-yard completion.
The loss kept Princeton winless at 0-6 overall and 0-4 in Grand River Conference play, but if there is a silver lining for the Tigers it’s that Powell hasn’t lost his players in the challenging season.
“I love our kids – they really are a coach’s dream in that they never quit, never turn on each other and show up everyday with great attitudes,” Powell said. “We would obviously love to see more wins, but as long as our 24 kids are showing up and trying to get better everyday, what else could any coach ask for?”
Princeton is set to be at home again this week, playing host to the Polo Panthers. Kickoff from Eddie Allen Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.