Pullman halted by good Knight
PULLMAN – The Connell Eagles brought the Pullman Greyhounds’ season to a screeching halt Friday night by posting a 19-7 win in the first round of the State 2A football playoffs at Martin Stadium.
Kris Knight proved to be the difference for the Eagles, as he caught three passes for 143 yards, including touchdowns of 42 and 54 yards from Daniel Nance, and intercepted two passes as well.
The Greyhounds’ offense couldn’t find a groove. Pullman (8-2) had three turnovers and failed to capitalize when they needed.
“We had some opportunities, but we just didn’t finish tonight,” said Greyhounds coach Bob Wollan. “It was a great high school football tonight. Connell’s tough.”
With the score tied at 7 after three quarters and both defenses dominating, the Eagles came alive.
Nance threw the 54-yard TD to Knight with slightly more than 9 minutes remaining. The Eagles missed the extra point and led 13-7.
On the Greyhounds’ next possession, Knight intercepted a J.T. Levenseller pass around midfield and returned it to the Greyhounds’ 11-yard line. Tyler Hawkins’ 1-yard TD run midway through the quarter, followed by a missed two-point conversion, provided the final tally.
Pullman quarterback Jeff Jones, who had been sidelined for two weeks with a sprained knee, replaced Levenseller on the next possession. His first pass was picked off by Knight, taking the life out of the Greyhounds and their crowd.
Despite the loss, Wollan praised his team’s efforts.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our kids,” he said. “They played so hard against a great team tonight.”
The Eagles led 7-0 after Nance’s 42-yard pass to Knight late in the first quarter.
Pullman scored on J.C. Sherritt’s 4-yard TD run to open the second quarter. Levenseller’s 36-yard pass to Ashton Gant and a 12-yard run by Levenseller set up the TD.
Levenseller finished 4 of 12 for 56 yards and rushed for 86 yards on 16 carries. Sherritt added 62 yards on 10 carries.
Nance completed 6 of 12 passes for 195 yards and no interceptions. Hawkins totaled 34 carries for 143 yards.
Connell (8-3) will play Castle Rock (8-3) in next weekend’s quarterfinals.