The Alleghany Mountaineers (3-1) entered their Friday night matchup with the Cave Spring Knights (3-1) with their first 3-0 start since 2010.
The Knights though played spoilers to the Mountaineers homecoming night as they delivered them their first loss of the season.
The Mountaineers were averaging just over 42 points per game through their first three games, but were held to a season low seven points in a 34-7 loss at Mountaineer Field on Friday.
Camerohn Parker, picked up where he left off last season against the Mountaineers by rushing for 167 yards including a 58 yard touchdown run. Parker had a 100-yard game and a 50 yard score last season in the Knights 48-8 victory over the Mountaineers.
Meanwhile, Landon Altizer put together a three touchdown performance. Altizer had a rushing touchdown and two touchdown passes in which Owen Sweeney was in on the receiving end of the touchdown passes which went for 33 and 21 yards. Jackson Steffen also had over 80 yards on the ground including a touchdown run for the Knights.
The Knights forced two turnovers in the win.
The 34 points given up by the Mountaineers was also a season-high. The team had entered their game on Friday giving up just over eight points a game.
For the Mountaineers, their lone touchdown came at the end of the first half as Eli Enstminger’s connected with Hunter Depriest from 17 yards out for Entsminger’s third touchdown pass of the season. The touchdown was set up by Dalton Griffith who had a kickoff return of 71 yards.
The Mountaineers did their thing in the quarter as the team held the Knights scoreless.
In the second quarter it appeared the tide was shifting for the Mountaineers. Facing a fourth down on the Mountaineers 29 yard line, the Knights elected to go for it, but the Mountaineers stopped them and forced a turnover on downs.
However, a few plays later, the Mountaineers were punting and that big defense stop they had was forgotten.
In just a few plays, Altizer connected with Sweeney for the first of their two touchdowns from 33 yards out. Following the made extra point, the Knights went up 7-0.
On the Knights next possession, Altizer and Sweeney connected from 21 yards out this time for a score. The Knights would take a 13-0 after a failed extra point.
As the Knights thought they had a double digit lead heading into the second half, Griffith’s kickoff return of 71 yards set up Entsminger’s 17 yard touchdown pass to DePriest. Following a made extra point, the Mountaineers went into halftime right in striking distance and only down single digits at 13-7.
Following a Mountaineer turnover to open the half, Parker busted out a 58 yard touchdown run that put the Knights back ahead double digits. The Knights would go up 20-7 following the extra point.
Just before the third quarter came to a close, Altizer rushed into the end zone from 12 yards out for his third overall touchdown of the game. The Knights would take a 20-point lead following the extra point.
In the fourth quarter the Mountaineers looked to get back on the scoreboard, but missed their field goal opportunity. The Knights would then march down the field and eventually setup a five-yard rushing touchdown by Steffen. The Knights would go up 34-7 and wouldn’t look back.
The schedule gets tougher for the Mountaineers who will be on the road this coming Friday to take on the Staunton River Golden Eagles (3-1). The Golden Eagles picked up their third win of the season on Friday following a 49-14 victory over Tunstall.
The Golden Eagles defeated the Mountaineers last season 37-6.
