Humboldt beats Greenfield
GREENFIELD — Despite three fumbles and several costly penalties on a rain-soaked field in Greenfield, Humboldt held on to defeat the Yellowjackets 21-6.
“We're getting better, but we're still doing a lot of them,” Humboldt head coach Junior Reid said about his team’s errors. “We're getting better, but we're practicing with a lot better intensity and I think it showed on the field.”
After swapping possessions several times in the first quarter, the Yellowjackets were finally able to put a six-play, 75-yard scoring drive together capped off by a 16-yard touchdown pass from John David Ricketts to Keith Phifer. A failed two-point attempt out Greenfield ahead 6-0 early.
It took Humboldt several series to respond, but the Vikings did so fashionably, going 84 yards through the air as Izaya Brown connected with Kylan Martin to put Humboldt ahead, 7-6.
Humboldt and Greenfield combined for a total of eight fumbles on the night — three for the Vikings and five for the Yellow Jackets.
“I thought they played well,” Reid said of his defense. “We messed around and let them get going early in the game, but once the first series was over I think we stepped up. ... Once they to playing, I thought (we) played pretty well on defense.”
With the first half winding down, Humboldt was able to extend its lead on a four-yard run from Jaylen Stewart. After a fake field goal on the point-after attempt, the Vikings moved out to a 15-6 lead.
Greenfield was able to move the ball successfully in the second half but couldn't find the end zone.
Ricketts was knocked out of the game after being hit on a scrambling play but eventually returned to the field as a wideout as junior Will Northcutt took over signal-calling duties.
Two plays after the injury to Ricketts, Humboldt's Travian Thomas got an interception that would lead to a touchdown run from Randy Pirtle to put the Vikings ahead 21-6.
Humboldt will return home next week to take on West Carroll. Meanwhile, Greenfield will take a week off before heading to West Caroll.