On Thursday, October 26, 2023, Southern Lab went to Kentwood to face Kentwood in the game of the week. This was not a game that disappointed the fans. This back and forwards game was close until the clock finally struck zero in the fourth quarter. Southern Lab, coached by Darrell Asberry, was 6-1 before entering this game, and Kentwood, coached by Jonathan Foster, was 7-1 going into this game. Both teams being 2-0 in divisional games, this was a game that meant a lot to both teams.
The game started in the first with both teams scoring a touchdown and missing their extra points, making the score 6-6. These were not the only extra points that were missed during this game. The kicking unit for both teams had trouble with only two of eight PATs being good, one PAT for both teams.
After another touchdown for both teams, Southern Lab was winning 13-12. This changed Kentwoods Kangaroo’s running back, Ja’Marion Burton runs for a huge gain and a touchdown. With no PAT, six points were added to the Kangaroo’s score, making it 19-13. This is how the score remained until halftime.
In the Second half, Southern Lab Kittens started with the ball. They were the first team to end up in the endzone this half too. With eight minutes left in the third quarter, the Kittens quarterback, Marlon Brown, threw a pass to Keenan Butler for the touchdown. The Kangaroos quickly move down the field to respond to their opponent’s score. This drive, for Kentwood, was their most efficient drive throughout the whole game, with every play gaining their yards, and normally for a big gain. This drive ended with quarterback Germarcus WIlson’s pass to Ke’vante Carter. Southern Lab receives the ball with the score being 25-19, Kentwood. On the first play of the Kittens drive the snap was botched ultimately ending with a fumble recovery by the defense for a touchdown. With the score being 31-19 with around five minutes left in the third, it looked like Kentwood was about to run away with the win. Being up two scores, the momentum was fully on the home team, but the score wouldn’t stay like this forever.
Starting in the fourth quarter the score remained 31-19. It wasn’t until midway through the last quarter that Southern Lab’s quarterback, Marlon Brown, again threw a touchdown pass. This time it was to receiver Denim Hunt for a 14-yard touchdown. At this point in the game, with the kickers missing kicks, Southern Lab turned to running two-point conversions after touchdowns. However, their attempt was unsuccessful. The Kangaroos now received the ball with the hope of sealing the game. Their attempt was unsuccessful, punting and giving the ball back to their opponent. This was Southern Lab’s last chance to make a comeback with minutes ticking off the clock. With the help of Armaryian Asberry, they were able to move downfield with ease. Armaryian had a monster run carrying opponents multiple yards and moving the Kittens all the way inside the five-yard line. This attempt warranted Armayian another rush which he took straight into the endzone. For the two-point conversion, once again, they gave the ball to Armayian to have one last successful run creating a lead change to 33-31 Southern Lab, with two minutes left in the game. With one last hope to win the game, the home team got the ball. This drive was ended shortly and unsuccessful due to a turnover. The Kittens would knee the ball and run out the clock to take their victory 33-31 over the Kangaroos.
This matchup was very close all the way through. These teams played well and fought hard for all four quarters. If a penalty didn’t happen or a mental mistake didn’t occur in some instances this game could have been different on who was walking out on top. Southern Lab, with this win, moves to 7-1 and plays SCC for their final regular season game. Kentwood moves to 7-2, with this loss, and hopes to get another win against Central Private to end their season. These are still two great teams who can both make a push come playoff time.
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