By CHUCK HATHCOCK
Sports Editor
There are just some things that coaches won’t ever be able to figure out.
For Kirk coach Rick Johnston, the toughest thing for him to figure out has been his team’s slow start in two of the past three games.
At West Memphis, the Raiders moved the ball up and down the field, but only led 6-0 at halftime. They would end up winning a 27-0 decision.
Friday, the Raiders managed a 7-0 advantage at intermission against Manchester Academy at Yazoo City. They came on in the second half to win a 28-0 decision.
“I don’t know why but we seem to be starting slow lately,” the Kirk coach said. “But, I thought our guys came out the second half and took control of the game.”
Defensively, Johnston thought a difference in halves was his team being in the right spots.
“We were able to get more penetration in the second half,” the Kirk coach said. “Our guys did a much better job of getting in the right spots.”
Another key
Kirk was also able to make some adjustments on the offensive side at halftime that enabled them to run the ball much better in the second half.
“We made some subtle adjustments, which enabled us to run it where there was no one,” Johnston said. “We were also able to hit them with the inside trap.”
Slow start
Manchester, 0-5, moved the ball on the opening drive to as deep as the Kirk 15-yard line. There, they lost the ball on downs.
The teams traded possessions before Kirk stopped Manchester on a fake punt at midfield.
From there, the Raiders needed 10 plays to get into the end zone. Will Thimmes got the touchdown on a one-yard run with 3:22 left in the half. Taylor Sultan’s extra point made it 7-0.
Second half
The Raiders took control on their opening drive of the second half.
They used a 28-yard kickoff return from Brandon Hubbard to get the ball at the Kirk 43.
Kirk used seven plays to get back into the end zone. Kris Harbin went the final 17 yards for the touchdown. Sultan’s PAT made it 14-0 with 9:03 left in the half.
Defense score
On the first possession, the Raiders’ defensive unit got in on the scoring.
Tackle Scott Graham intercepted a pass and returned it 44 yards for the touchdown. Sultan’s PAT made it 21-0 with 6:16 left in the third period.
Thimmes closed out the scoring with an 11-yard run on the first play of the fourth period. Sultan’s extra point made it 28-0 with 11:56 left.
Final stats
Kirk finished the night with 233 total yards, all on the ground.
Harbin led the attack with 131 yards on 11 carries. Thimmes ran for 83 yards on 15 carries.
Manchester finished with 171 total yards.
Michael Wester led the defensive effort with 11 tackles. Harbin and Thimmes both had eight stops. John Mark Moore finished with seven stops.
This week
The Raiders return home this weekend for the first of three straight games at Raider Field. They face District 1-AA rival Indianola Academy. The Colonels won a 35-0 decision over West Memphis, Ark.
“They are a very athletic and talented football team,” Johnston said. “It will be another challenge for our team.”
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Raider Field.
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