Encampment tears into Huskies

Tigers defeat Burlington 65-40 to end regular season

The Encampment Tigers had already secured their No. 2 spot in the 1A West Six-Man Conference when they were hosted by the Burlington Huskies on October 22. The Tigers had also already earned the ability to host a first-round playoff game leading to the State Championship.

Yet, with both of these achievements accomplished as the regular season came to an end, they still ensured themselves a win against Burlington. While there wasn't any chance of losing their conference ranking or the chance to host a post-season agame, Encampment still dealt a 25 point loss to the Huskies.

"It was great to get a win to finish the regular season so we can keep our momentum going," said Head Coach Kegan Willford.

In the 1st quarter of the final regular season game, the Tigers put 13 points up on the board while keeping Burlington scoreless. The first 6 points came from a conversion following a 31 yard pass from Kaban Pickett to Koye Gilbert. Another 6 points were added by Quade Jordan following a 67 yard rush. Another conversion after a 3 yard pass from Pickett to Gilbert put the score at 13-0 heading into the 2nd quarter.

While the Huskies appeared to have been caught off guard in the 1st quarter, the 2nd quarter saw both teams put double digits on the scoreboard. Encampment was the first to score as Jordan completed an 11 yard rush for a touchdown. A point-after-touchdown from Michael Anderson put the Tigers ahead 21-0. The Huskies answered back with a touchdown and point-after-touchdown of their own. In total, Burlington would score 22 points before halftime.

The Tigers would score 27 in that same time.

Jordan ran a 61 yard kickoff return, putting Encampment ahead 27-8. While a touchdown and point-after-touchdown from Burlington put the score at 27-16, Caysen Barkhrust would run a 64 yard kickoff return to push Encampment ahead 33-16. A conversion from Burlington brought the score to 33-22, but the duo of Pickett and Gilberton would push the Tigers ahead 40-22 heading into halftime.

In the 3rd quarter, the scoring between both teams was still very close. Jordan received a 34 yard pass from Pickett to increase Encampment's lead 46-22. Burlington followed with a conversion, a point-after-touchdown and a safety to bring the score 46-32. The Tigers answered back as Jordan completed a 10 yard rush to push the score 52-32 going into the final quarter.

As they had done throughout the rest of the game, Encampment was the first to score as the final quarter began. Jordan completed a 10 yard rush for a touchdown and a 3 yard rush for a conversion to lead 59-32. Brayden Barkhurst also scored a touchdown after a 10 yard rush to put the score 65-32. While Burlington would score a touchdown and point-after-touchdown of their own, it wasn't enough to overcome the difference.

Encampment defeated the Huskies 65-40.

The Tigers rushed for 201 yards against Burlington with 163 yards coming from Jordan. Pickett was the passing leader with 135 yards. Out of those 135 yards passed, Anderson received for 65 yards, Gilbert received for 37 yards and Jordan received for 33 yards.

With the regular season over, Encampment is preparing for the post-season as they host their first playoff game in school history. While Encampment has a No. 2 ranking in the 1A West Conference with a 6-1 season record and a 4-1 conference record, the Vikings No. 3 ranking in the 1A East Conference comes with a 3-5 season record and a 2-2 conference record. Despite their ranking, Willford and the Tigers are not heading into the first postseason game with the expectation it will be an easy one.

"We are excited to be hosting Guernsey for the first round of the playoffs," said Willford. "Guernsey is a big team with some physical players."

The No. 2 West Encampment Tigers will host the No. 3 East Guernsey-Sunrise Vikings at 1 p.m. on October 29.

 

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