103.9 KNZA Broadcast - Maur Hill-Mt Academy at Jackson Heights  - click here to listen 

It was a Northeast Kansas League battle and while both defenses made some big plays, the offenses each scored twice and the difference was Jackson Heights converting both two-point tries in a 16-14 homecoming win over Maur Hill Mount Academy. The victory was the 12th straight in the NEKL for the Cobras who trailed 6-0 and 14-8 in the game, but answered both Raven touchdowns with impressive drives of their own.

An apparent miscommunication at the end of the Cobras opening drive gave MH-MA the football at the Jackson Heights 39 yard line after a fullback dive was stuffed on a 4th down and 16 play in their own territory. The Ravens ran six plays and Ronald Faulk-Tindal returned from a two-week absence and opened the scoring with a 16 yard TD run. The extra point was blocked. Then, Jackson Heights second drive marches 62 yards on 14 plays including a pair of 3rd and seven conversions and another on fourth and short before Brady Holliday tied the game on a one yard run and put heights up 8-6 with his conversion run. Both defenses dominated the second quarter as neither team could penetrate the red zone. 

On the Ravens second possession after halftime, they marched 67 yards on 14 plays as Faulk-Tindal returned to pay dirt on a one yard run. Colten Kocour converted on a 3rd and 12 and 3rd and  seven with a pair of passes to Jerad Thibault as he filled in at quarterback and added the conversion run to put MH-MA ahead 14-8 with 9:51 left in the game. The Cobras again responded after a great kick return by Lane Thomas with a six play 54 yard drive and Holliday returned to the end zone with a one yard touchdown to tie the score with 7:54 remaining. Sophomore quarterback, Cooper Williams ran around the right side for the conversion, which proved go be the difference as Jackson Heights improved to 4-0. 

The Ravens went three and out but their defense made their second big fourth down stop in the second half with 1:09 to play as regular starter Jack Caudle made his first appearance at quarterback after being injured a week ago and took over at the one yard line. A 45 yard pass to Tate Vowels kept the final drive alive on 4th down, but four incomplete passes followed near mid field and the Ravens couldn't get in field goal range before falling to 2-2 on the season. 

Not only was the score decided by two points, but so was the final yardage as Jackson Heights outgained MH-MA 206 total yards to 204. Sebastian Butto went over the century mark for the second straight week registering 120 yards on 20 carries while Holliday had 63 yards on 15 attempts and both touchdowns while also leading the team in tackles to earn "Player to Bank on" honors from the Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha. The Denison State Bank "Lineman of the Game" could have gone to several Cobras, but ultimately went to senior Garrett Hartman, who also made several tackles and moved from fullback to play left guard for the second straight week filling in for the injured Riley Watkins. Conlan Bruggeman added 22 yards and had a great night on defense while homecoming king Braden Dohl and Kolby Rethman and Carson Williams were also very active with multiple defensive plays. 

The senior trio of Sean Mason, Benedict Humburg and Cole Harris made several big plays on both sides of the line of scrimmage for MH-MA and Faulk-Tindal had 85 yards on 15 carries.