“It’s just a great feeling to come in here and take care of business with my brothers,” Runkle said. “We were preparing all week for this. It’s a great crosstown rivalry. I love it. We worked all off season for this.
Cougars senior quarterback Julian Daniels threw for two touchdown passes - one each to junior Brennan Shaffer, senior Caleb Hall and Runkle - as Kenton Ridge won its third straight game.
The Braves were forced to punt on the opening drive. An errant punt snap sailed over sophomore punter Justin Boehmer’s head and he was forced to down the ball at the 11-yard line. One play later, Runkle scored to give the Cougars the early lead.
Later in the first quarter, the Cougars recovered a fumble and Runkle scored on a 19-yard run to make it 14-0.
“I really just want to thank my big guys for blocking for me,” Runkle said. “I can’t go anywhere without the big guys.”
Kenton Ridge senior Xavier White intercepted a pass late in the first quarter. With 10:13 remaining in the second quarter, Daniels found Shaffer on a 21-yard TD pass to make it a three touchdown advantage.
“Our guys, coaches and players alike, defensively, really work hard to create turnovers and find ways to generate opportunities in practice,” said Cougars coach Jon Daniels. “When I was in the GWOC, I had all the time in the world for turnover drills. Those guys weren’t going and playing offense the next play, right? So we’re creative. We get turnover reps in between offensive routes and stuff like that. Next thing you know, our kids running around (creating turnovers). ... So to see that stuff translate, I think it’s a kudos to our players and a kudos to our coaches that really put in the work.”
In the second quarter, Runkle scored on a 24-yard run, Daniels threw a 12-yard TD pass to Hall and then tossed an 11-yard TD pass to Runkle with :31 seconds remaining to give Kenton Ridge a 42-0 halftime lead.
The Cougars host Northwestern in a battle of 3-1 teams next week. A year ago, the Cougars beat the Warriors 27-21 in double overtime.
“We’re hungry, we’re humble, we want more, and we’re going to come in stronger this next week,” Runkle said.
Braves senior Julian Dixon ran for a score and senior Breylon Haddock caught a touchdown pass from Derek Boehmer in the second half for Shawnee, which fell to 0-4.
“We saw the film all week, we knew who we were up against, and knew we had to play really well,” said Shawnee coach Bob DeLong. “We didn’t early and got away from us.”
Despite the 0-4 start, DeLong is pleased with the improvement he’s seen from his young Shawnee squad. The Braves travel to Jonathan Alder next week.
“I thought at the end of the game we showed some improvement, more like we had shown last week (in a 14-12 loss to Tecumseh),” he said. “I feel like we’re getting better every week. It’s just hard to show it when the other team’s really good.”
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