The Middletown High School Knights JV Football team were looking for a spark early in their game against the Lingnaore High School Lancers, and they found it on a seemingly meaningless punt return.

After a punt by MHS sophomore KJ Bromwell was caught in the end zone by a Lancers returner, MHS sophomore James Early barreled into the returner causing the returner to fumble the ball in the end zone.

As players dove for the ball MHS sophomore Cooper Yonkowski dove on top of the ball giving Middletown the touchdown and the momentum they needed to take down Lingnaore by a score of 19-12.

The Knights (3-0) did struggle on special teams as they missed 2 extra points and 1 field goal but even that was not enough to prevent them from beating the Lancers, who got two touchdowns during the game but also missed two extra points.

MHS sophomores Early and Marquis Lauer each had running touchdowns, showing the ability for them to be a dynamic 1-2 punch out of the backfield.

The Knights Freshmen Football team also continued the trend of close games as they nipped out Lingnaore by a score of 8-7.

The trend of close games has been a prevalent one for the Knights this season as they have collected their two wins with a difference of six points.

Their one loss on the season was also a close one as the Urbana High School Hawks defeated the 7-6.

Both offenses struggled early as the game progressed but late in the game the Knights struck on a run to the side by Kyle Broadbent.

The Knights defense would hold form as the game went on and would capitalize on late mistakes by Linganore to close it out.

This was the Knights second game against Lingnaore in a row and that appeared to help both teams, as each team seemed to have the other’s planned out.