By Summer Archer
Contributing Writer
KELLYVILLE – The Kellyville Ponies took on the Caney Valley Trojans Friday evening in a battle of unbeaten teams. The battle quickly became more of a minor skirmish as the Ponies destroyed the Trojans 64-0. The game held a more important meaning for many of the players, coaches and fans as it fell on the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. In addition, with all of the current uncertainty surrounding high school sports, the Ponies also decided to hold their senior night ceremonies leading to an eventful Friday evening at Kellyville Stadium.
The evening’s festivities began as Kellyville honored all seniors participating in football, cheerleading, band, and cross country. Emotions ran high throughout the entire night as first responders and military members were also honored at the game. Prior to kickoff, the Kellyville football players honored America by carrying flags onto the field, followed by a prayer from Representative Kyle Hilbert. Patriotic songs were played throughout the evening in remembrance of the 9/11 attacks. For the halftime show, Senator James Leewright urged the crowd to be grateful for our first responders and military. He reminisced about the horrific attacks that occured 19 years ago on September 11th, reminding us all how America came together as one during that tragic time. A fireworks show lit up the sky after the Senator’s words of inspiration to kickoff the second half of the game.
Fireworks were also going off on the playing field as the upstart Ponies dominated all night long in their home opener. Trevor Jones started off the night running in for the first touchdown with Jeramy Hicks getting the 2 point conversion, giving the Ponies the 8-0 lead. Quarterback Colton Ayres had a good night, throwing 2 touchdown passes and scoring a 2-point conversion. Ayres first touchdown pass came on a 34-yard strike to Jones to make the score 16-0, ending the first quarter.
Not to be outdone, the defense came out strong in the first quarter as well, allowing no points and very little yardage for the Trojans. The offense fed off of the defensive energy, continuing to rack up points throughout the first half. In the second quarter, Ayres connected with Tayver Thornbrugh for a 47-yard touchdown. Jones then scored again right before the half giving the Ponies the 32-0 lead.
The Ponies continued the onslaught after halftime as Hicks ran the ball into the endzone early in the third quarter to make the score 40-0. Tayver Thornbrugh was the last of the starters to score as Coach Brown pulled the first team out midway through the third quarter after the Ponies went up 48-0.
It was a special night for the Ayres boys as little brother Cayden took over for big brother Colton in the second half. Cayden showed that the Ponies will be in good hands next year with him taking the snaps as he scored a touchdown and a 2 point conversion, giving the Ponies the 56-0 edge. The young players stepped up and finished the shutout as they held the Trojans scoreless for the remainder of the game.
Sophomore Nate Stubblefield showed promise, scoring the final touchdown of the game giving the Ponies the 64-0 victory. The Ponies strong senior class had an outstanding night with Jones scoring 3 touchdowns, Thornbrugh bringing in 2 scores, Hicks adding another and Ayres completing 2 touchdown passes. On the defensive side, Andy Jones and John Vaughn both had terrific nights, anchoring the defense and holding the Trojans scoreless.
With the win, the Ponies move to 2-0 on the season and excitement is mounting in the Pony Nation. Kellyville hopes to move to 3-0 as they go on the road to take on the Mounds Eagles next Friday night at 7:00 p.m.
You can rewatch the game here, courtesy of KVRising.com
