Kentlake traveled to Auburn this week to take on the Lions of Auburn Mountainview HS. The Falcons brought in a 4-2 record, but a two game losing streak after losing senior QB/FS Hudson Potts to injury. Freshman Payton Accetturo made his second start at quarterback for Kentlake. Mountainview came in with a 1-5 record on the season.
The Lions received the opening kickoff but were forced to punt after a three and out. Kentlake started their first possession on their own 20 yard line, and drove the length of the field with some tough running from senior RB Dashaun Leon. Accetturo completed four passes on four attempts on the drive, including a 10 yard touchdown pass to senior TE Carson Lucas. Sophomore LB Blake Peterson intercepted a Lions pass on the following possession, setting the Falcons up with a short field at the AMV 23 yard line. Senior kicker Tyler Hopp converted a 33 yard field goal, and the Falcons held the lead at the end of the first quarter, 10-0.
Mountainview drove to the Falcons 35 yard line to open the second quarter, but their 44 yard field goal attempt was blocked by junior DE X-Zavier Thomas. The two teams traded possessions when the Lions came up with a big play, a 61 yard interception return for a touchdown to cut the Falcons lead to 10-7. Kentlake got a good kickoff return from junior DB/KR Jalen Taylor and drove into the red zone, but a 39 yard field goal was missed just wide left. The Lions last drive of the half was cut short by an interception by Kentlake junior WR/DB Sam Morasch near midfield. The score at halftime was Kentlake 10, Auburn Mountainview 7.
Kentlake received the second half kickoff but was forced to punt after a three and out. The Lions mounted a drive on their first possession, capped by a 39 yard field goal that tied the score at 10-10. The teams exchanged punts when Kentlake dialed up a big play, a double pass from Accetturo to Leon, who launched it to Sam Morasch for a 65 yard touchdown. Hopp’s PAT gave the Falcons a 17-10 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Mountainview caught a big break after being forced to punt, forcing a fumble on the return to allow them to retain possession. The Lions completed that drive with a 26 yard touchdown pass and PAT that tied the score at 17-all with 9:11 remaining in the game. The Lions forced a punt on the following series, and proceeded to put together a ten play, 55 yard drive culminating in a five yard touchdown run. The PAT gave the Lions a 24-17 lead with 3:47 to play. Kentlake mounted a 50 yard drive, again with a heavy dose of Dashaun Leon, down to the Lions 26 yard line with less than a minute remaining. On fourth down and seven from the 26, the Lions jumped a route for an interception and returned 74 yards for a touchdown to clinch the win for AMV. Final score from Auburn Memorial Stadium was Mountainview 31, Kentlake 17.
The loss dropped Kentlake to 4-3 overall for the season, and 1-3 in the division. Auburn Mountainview improved to 2-5 on the season, and 2-1 in division play. Kentlake finishes their regular season next week with a non-division game against Thomas Jefferson (1-5). AMV will travel to face Hazen (5-2, 3-0) next week.