Knights pummel Tigers in conference debut

By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

FARMINGTON — A weather delay of more than two hours on Friday night only served to prolong the first conference win for Farmington as a member of the SEMO North football division.

Quarterback Zach Hibbits performed effectively under steady rain, and connected with receiver Nick Baker on two touchdown passes as the Knights hammered winless Cape Central, 55-12 at Haile Memorial Stadium.

Senior Bryan Krause found multiple running lanes available along the left side while taking the opening kickoff 92 yards for an instant score. Farmington (3-1) found the end zone five more times before the half.

Hibbits tossed seven completions while leading the Knights on a 14-play march during their second offensive possession. Jordan Hampton made catches of 15 and 22 yards before Zach Oyler charged across from one yard out. Lightning and heavy rain halted the action moments later.

Cape Central (0-4) briefly turned the momentum once play resumed behind standout rusher Cantrell Andrews, who began the second quarter by exploding through the Knights’ defense for a 78-yard scoring sprint.

Farmington blocked the ensuing kick and responded with 41 answered points, overcoming nine penalties along the way. The Knights were flagged 12 times in their 43-0 loss at Helias last weekend.

Hibbits calmly handled several bounced snaps from the shotgun, and tallied 154 yards on an accurate 15-of-21 overall. The sophomore signal-caller increased the Knights’ lead with a nifty 13-yard scramble.

Baker tiptoed the sideline while reeling in a 12-yard pass less than four minutes later for his first touchdown. A 24-yard catch on the fade and the extra point from Logan Bradley made it 42-6 with just before halftime.

Baker notched five receptions in all for 66 yards, and Oyler led Farmington in rushing with 70 yards. Krause, who scored his second touchdown on a 40-yard reverse, paced the defense with six tackles.

Charlie Uptegrove earned the only points of the third quarter with a 13-yard run for Farmington. Krause then returned a punt to the Cape Central 11, and Brett Bader plowed ahead from three yards out with 11:55 left.

Andrews followed a 45-yard scamper into Farmington territory by adding his second scoring run with 8:02 remaining, and finished an impressive night on the ground with 200 yards on 19 carries.

Tigers quarterback Andrew Williams completed 4-of-11 passes for 37 yards with four drops by his receivers. Josh Kelleher and Bader each intercepted Williams to stop drives during the second half.

Farmington will host Rockwood Summit for Homecoming on Friday before traveling to Jackson for a conference showdown in week six.

Cape Central   0   6   0   6 - 12

Farmington  14  28   6   7 - 55

First quarter:

FARM (7-0) - Krause 92-yd kickoff return (Bradley kick), 11:47

FARM (14-0) - Oyler 1-yd run (Bradley kick), 0:15

Second quarter:

CAPE (14-6) - Andrews 78-yd run (Kick blocked), 11:48

FARM (20-6) - Hibbits 13-yd run (Run failed), 9:48

FARM (28-6) - Baker 12-yd pass from Hibbits (2-pt pass), 5:11

FARM (35-6) - Krause 40-yd run (Bradley kick), 2:58

FARM (42-6) - Baker 24-yd pass from Hibbits (Bradley kick), 0:15

Third quarter:

FARM (48-6) - Uptegrove 13-yd run (Kick failed), 3:57

Fourth quarter:

FARM (55-6) - Bader 3-yd run (Bradley kick), 11:55

CAPE (55-12) - Andrews 13-yd run (Run failed), 8:02