The Henryetta Knights endured a tough night on the road Friday, falling 32-0 to the Valliant Bulldogs in a game that saw the home team dominate early and never look back. Henryetta entered the matchup missing several key starters, forcing younger and less experienced players into expanded roles on both sides of the ball.
Despite the adversity, the Knights showed grit against a strong Valliant squad that scored all 32 of its points in the first half before both defenses settled in after halftime.
— Early Momentum for Valliant Valliant struck quickly in the opening quarter behind the running of senior standout Kenny Golston, who capped two first-quarter drives with touchdown runs of 4 and 20 yards. Quarterback Brody Dorries added to the lead in the second quarter with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Gavin Chavez, then scored once himself on a 24-yard keeper. Golston later powered in another short touchdown run to push the lead to 32-0 before halftime.
By the numbers, Valliant amassed 236 rushing yards on 24 carries – an average of nearly 10 yards per attempt – and finished with 344 yards of total offense on just 38 plays. Golston accounted for 158 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, while Dorries rushed for 53 yards, threw for 108 yards, and was involved in two total scores.
— Henryetta’s Effort on Offense
Henryetta, shorthanded across multiple positions, fought hard but struggled to establish rhythm offensively. The Knights managed just 36 total yards on 36 plays, including -11 rushing yards due to Valliant’s persistent backfield pressure. Quarterback Nakona Johnson completed 6 of 18 passes for 47 yards, with senior Gavin Williams hauling in five receptions for 44 yards.
Will Perez led the ground game with 22 yards on eight carries, while Joseph Cummings added three carries for 3 yards. Blaze Hill handled punting duties, averaging 29.8 yards per punt on six attempts.
Although the offense couldn’t find the end zone, the Knights showed determination in time of possession, maintaining the ball for over 21 minutes and forcing Valliant into a scoreless second half.
— Defensive Standouts & Special Teams
On defense, Henryetta’s special teams limited Valliant’s opportunities after halftime and forced the Bulldogs to punt for the first time late in the third quarter. Hill also contributed a 28-yard kickoff and handled multiple punts under pressure without a block or turnover. Penalties remained a challenge, with Henryetta flagged five times for 50 yards.
— Looking Ahead
The Knights will have a short week to regroup before hosting the Vian Wolverines this Thursday night. With several starters expected to return, Henryetta aims to rebound in front of its home crowd and build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
Kickoff against Vian is set for Thursday evening at Cameron Field, where the Knights will look to turn the lessons from a challenging road loss into renewed energy and resilience.
