Farmington Comes Back on Homecoming to Beat Bluff

J-98

(Farmington) Farmington executed an incredible homecoming comeback to knock off Poplar Bluff for a 49-42 Homecoming win at Haile Memorial Stadium on KREI. The Knights came out strong with touchdown drives on their first two possessions. Poplar Bluff fumbled on the next play giving the Knights the ball on the Bluff 30. The Knights once again powered their way to the Mules 11 yard line, but fumbled it back. After a penalty Bluff drove the ball 95 yards for its first score. The Mules then proceeded to score touchdowns on six straight possessions.

At the 8:19 mark of the 4th quarter Poplar Bluff took a 14 point lead at 42-28. Quarterback Kannon Carr threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two more. That’s when it got interesting.
Farmington freshman fullback Kaeson McClain capped an 80 yard drive with a 14 touchdown run…

McClain ran for 193 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries.
The Knights missed the extra point and trailed by 8. Having not slowed down the Mules’ offense for two and half quarters, Farmington chose to try to get the ball back on the ensuing kickoff…

Farmington drove to the 12, but Chris Matlock picked off a pass at the one to get the ball back to Bluff. The very next play Farmington forced a fumble to give them life once again. With McClain shaken up on the sideline Tyler Williams took over at fullback and blasted in from three yards out with under a minute to play…

Jeremiah Cunningham ran in the two point conversion to tie it at 42.

Poplar Bluff still had time. They ran the kickoff back to their own 41, but for the first time since their first possession the Black shirts forced a three and out. A strong punt return and a penalty gave the Knights the ball on the Mules 40 with 26 seconds left. Offensive coordinator Josh Hoehn reached deep in the playbook for the winning score…

Farmington coach Erik Kruppe says his players exhibited the characteristics he wants his program to be known for…

It’s the 4th straight win the series for the Knights.

Farmington improves to 5-1 with a de facto SEMO North championship game next week at home against Class 5 number one ranked Jackson.
Poplar Bluff falls to 4-2 and goes to Cape Central next.

Full interview with Erik Kruppe