Published: October 03, 2008 10:59 am            

Ripley nips Tigers, 38-34

RIPLEY — The Princeton Tigers suffered a heartbreaking 38-34 loss to Ripley as the Vikings won a wild shootout and were victorious in their homecoming game. Ripley barely outgunned Princeton in total offense, gaining 437 yards to the Tigers’ 423 yards.

The Tigers seemed to be in control of the game with a 28-12 lead with five minutes remaining in the third quarter. Then the floodgates opened. The Vikings scored on their next four possessions, producing 26 straight points. When the deluge was over, Ripley had a 38-28 advantage. Two costly Tiger fumbles helped key the Vikings’ offensive onslaught.

With time running out, Princeton fought back, scoring on the last play of the game to make the final score 38-34.

Players for both teams put up impressive offensive numbers. Ripley quarterback Seth Parsons completed 13 of 24 passes for 255 yards and three scores. He was also the Vikings’ leading rusher with 67 yards. Receiver Jeff Walls grabbed five passes for 193 yards (a school receiving record), and three touchdowns. Ronnie Mullins gained 51 yards on only six carries. Adam Rutter rushed for two touchdowns.

The Tigers’ Austin Harris had by far his most productive passing game this season connecting on 17 of 28 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown. Tevin Allen rushed 22 times for 129 yards and scored four touchdowns on runs of 1, 8, 29, and 43 yards. Allen also snared four passes for 42 yards. Justin Lester gained 40 yards on the ground and produced 52 yards on three receptions. Jerrell Powell ran for 27 yards and grabbed three passes for 24 yards. Brandon Lafferty was the Tigers’ leading receiver with six catches for 76 yards and a score.

Surprisingly, the first quarter was a defensive struggle as neither team could mount a sustained attack. In the second quarter, the offensive fireworks started and they didn’t end until the final gun.

The Tigers struck first marching 65 yards in 14 plays. Harris completed critical passes for 15 and 13 yards to Powell and Lester, respectively. Allen tallied from the 8-yard line. Garrison Shay added the extra point and the Tigers took a 7-0 lead with 8:40 left in the half.

Ripley immediately responded with a 64-yard pass play from Parsons to Walls. The speedy receiver weaved his way past Princeton defenders for the score.

The conversion kick failed and the scoreboard read Princeton—7, Ripley—6 at the 8:21 mark.

On their next possession, the Tigers had an impressive scoring drive of 75 yards that took 17 plays. Key gains included a 14-yard reception by Lafferty, an Allen 11-yard burst, and Powell’s 12-yard run. Allen culminated the drive, plunging over the goal from the 1-yard line. Shay converted on the kick. Princeton led 14-6 with the clock showing 1:38 remaining in the half.

The Vikingss quickly countered the Princeton score with a 60-yard drive in seven plays, just before the end of the half.

Walls caught a pass for 40 yards during the drive. Adam Rutter punched the ball over from the 1-yard line. A pass conversion attempt failed. The half-time score was Princeton—14, Ripley—12.

Princeton’s defense set up its first score in the third quarter.

Seth Angell recorded a quarterback sack, and Lafferty picked off a pass, placing the ball on the Ripley 29-yard line. On the first play, Allen dashed for the touchdown. Shay converted the extra point. The score was Princeton 21 Ripley 12 with 8:59 remaining in the third quarter.

The Tigers scored in five plays, moving 77 yards on their next possession. Allen was hit at the line of scrimmage, but he broke the tackle and then raced 43 yards untouched for the score. Shay kicked the extra point, making the score Princeton—28, Ripley—12. Five minutes remained in the third quarter.

Again, the resilient Vikings quickly answered the Tigers’ score. Parsons guided Ripley 67 yards in six plays. He hit Walls with 27-yard scoring strike, making the score Princeton—28, Ripley—18 with 3 minutes left in the quarter. Again the Vikings’ pass conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

On their next possession, the Tigers seemingly drove for another score, but coughed up a costly fumble at the Ripley 35-yard line. The Vikings’ Mullins ran 8 yards. Then Parsons again found his favorite receiver — Walls — on a 57-yard pass play for a touchdown. Thomas Motes kicked the extra point. With 5:57 left in the game, Ripley jumped to a 31-28 lead.

The turnover bug again bit the Tigers, as they surrendered the ball on a fumble at their 31-yard line. Ripley tallied in seven plays with Zach Milhoan scoring from the nine. Motes added the extra point. The scoreboard showed Ripley—38, Princeton—28 with 1:49 remaining.

Harris engineered a 78-yard scoring drive completely through the air. He connected on seven of 11 passes during the impressive march. The yoff was a pass to Lafferty from the 1-yard line.

Since time had expired, there was no conversion attempt because it would not have impacted the outcome of the game. The final score was Ripley—38, Princeton—34.

At Viking Stadium September 26, 2008



Ripley (2-3)

...........0 12 12 14 — 38

Princeton (2-2)

…...… 0 14 14 6 — 34

Second Quarter

Princeton-Allen 8 run (Shay kick) 8:40

Ripley-Walls 64 pass from Parsons (kick failed) 8:21

Princeton-Allen 1 run (Shay kick) 1:38

Ripley-Rutter 1 run (pass failed) 0:08

Third Quarter

Princeton-Allen 29 run (Shay kick) 8:59

Princeton-Allen 43 run (Shay kick) 5:00

Ripley-Walls 27 pass from Parsons (pass failed) 3:00

Ripley-Walls 57 pass from Parsons (pass failed) 0:02

Fourth Quarter

Ripley-Rutter 8 run (Motes kick) 5:57

Ripley-Milhoan 9 run (Motes kick) 1:49

Princeton-Lafferty 1 pass from Harris (no attempt) 0:00

        

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