CFNN Reporter Ansley Thomas

Friday night, September 24, the Colts took on the Knights of Knightdale High School. This game was scheduled as a fill-in for the Colts, who were supposed to take on Purnell Swett in their first United 8 Conference game of the season. Unfortunately, the Rams were unable to play due to COVID quarantine. Instead, the Knights came calling. And, physically, they were an absolutely HUGE team.The Cape Fear Colts put up a good fight, but unfortunately, they came up short 33-13. The Colts are now 3-1 and ready to make a comeback this week against 71st. 

The Knights got off to a quick start, scoring on their first possession. After a big pass play, they capped off their drive with a short touchdown run that put them up. The PAT was no good, leaving the Colts trailing 6-0 less than 4 minutes into the game. The Colts had no answer as their first drive ended in a punt.

Robert Tatem goes in for a tackle, Taken by Emily grace raynor

“We spotted them 12 points early. You can’t do that with a good team,” said Head Coach Jake Thomas. 

The Knights answered on their own and drove back down the field for another score. The PAT again was no good. This left the Colts down 12-0 in the first quarter.

This time the Colts got things moving on offense, trading their passing attack for a pounding rushing attack. Cape Fear methodically drove down the field, ending their second drive in a touchdown. The Colt PAT was uncharacteristically no good. This left the score at 12-6 in the second quarter.

“Our Special Forces are something we take a lot of pride in,” said Thomas. “We work extremely hard at making sure we execute and win the kicking game. We need to do a better job of getting the little things right.”

Cape Fear forced punts on the next two possessions, leaving the door open for the Colts. In their last drive before the half, the Colts looked like they were going to sneak one in, but a late sack snuffed out the drive as time expired.

“The defense played tough. We worked really hard to stop them,” said junior safety Avery Moore. “They were big and athletic, probably the biggest team we’ve faced, but the defense kept us in the game. I’m proud of how hard we played,” he said.

The Colts started things off in the second half with a solid drive, but things sputtered after the Colts crossed midfield. After taking over, Knightdale again drove down the field and reached the red zone. The Colt defense stiffened and held the Knights to a long 4th down. On 4th and 22 from the Colt 37 yard line, Knights quarterback Jonathan Montague scrambled out of the pocket and hurled a pass to the endzone for a score. Knightdale then went for two and converted. This left the Colts down 20-6 in the 3rd quarter.

RJ Mcdonald readies himself for the ball to be thrown, Taken by Emily grace raynor

Cape Fear once again relied heavily on the run, and on senior running back/linebacker Keyshon Washington. They answered the bell and rumbled down the field for a second score. Nate West’s PAT was good this time around, and the Colts were back in business late in the 3rd quarter down 20-13

The Colt defense played tough, turning the Knights over on downs on the next possession, opening the door for Cape Fear to possibly tie with a good drive.

Unfortunately, Cape Fear went three and out. After a short punt, the Knights took over inside the Colt 40 yard line. Knightdale could not take advantage of the solid field position as the Colt defense rallied and forced another punt.

Normally forcing a punt is a great thing for a defense, but the Knightdale punt team downed the ball inside the 5 yard line, leaving the Colts with a long field in front of them. 

Cape Fear threw back to back interceptions on their next two possessions, both of which were returned inside the 10 yard line. The Knights took full advantage of a visibly tired Colt defense, scoring on both possessions. This rally ended hopes for a Colt comeback, ending the scoring on the night 33-13 

Keyshon Washington was awarded player of the game. He scored a rushing touchdown in the third quarter. “I found a way to stay focused and trust my team, whenever I saw a play I knew I had to make it,” said Washington.

The Colts are playing at seventy-first on Friday October 1st at 7:30. This is going to be one of the most physical games all year. 

“We need to execute and everyone needs to know their assignment to be able to win,” said Washington. The Colts are ready for a comeback and this is going to be a game you don’t want to miss.