"Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s off to work we go", ought to be the Kaneland Knights new theme song, as they wore there hard hats at Evergreen Park Saturday and outworked the Mustangs 49-0.
The Kaneland defensive crew never let the Mustangs enter the Knights red zone. They allowed them to cross mid-field only once each half and gave up only 6 first downs for the entire game, while earning their fifth shutout of the season.
The Knights are getting a reputation for whitewashes. Five in eight games. But it wasn't only the Knights defense that was impressive. The offense "Rocked" too.
After the first possession the offensive scored on every possession and ended the game with the ball on EP's 10-yard line. On each possession it appeared like a different Knight was performing an audition for their fans.
First, it was the Wild West Show, as Ryan West broke free for a 30-yard scamper, then lunged 2 more yards for Kaneland's first TD.
Next it was the Scooby Dooby Doo show as Scooby (Kyle Schrader) made runs of 1, 6, and 5. Then gave way to Ian Thomas for the last 5 yards for TD # 2.
Next possession it was the Wild West Show again. This time West caught a screen pass for 18-yards, then had consecutive rambles of 5, 18, 5, 3, and 2 for TD # 3.
Then came P.J. Fleck and his "Aerial Show", with catches of 8, 23, and 16 for TD # 4.
Then on the first play of second half, "Scoob" made like a speeding bullet shooting 78-yards in 22 seconds for TD # 5.
Next up came the Wild Bill West Show, as Bill McKeown got into the act with runs of 2 and 12 yards, sandwiched between runs of 0, 4, 4, 24, and 2 from West, for TD # 6.
The last TD was a bit of a Long shot, as Kurt Long exploded for 36 yards for TD #7.
Matt Gladd was 8 for 7 in kicking extra points, as one kick that cleared the uprights was called back because of a penalty.
But as the game started to wind down - it was the shutout everyone was focusing on. "When it gets down to the fourth quarter and we have a shutout going, we just want to buckle down and keep playing hard and keep them out of the end zone," commented P.J. Fleck.
Ryan West had 3 touchdowns gaining 101 yards in 12 carries and Kyle Schrader also broke the hundred yard mark with 130 yards on 9 carries.
The Knights work ethic was more than impressive as they gained a total of 435 yards (352 yards rushing), while holding the Mustangs to 62 yards on 39 plays for an average of only 1.5897 yards a play. Or to put it another way if EP started each drive from the twenty would taken them 9.03 games to catch the Knights - or all season.
"We haven't played our best game yet," stated Captain Rusty Pozen. "We just keep getting better."
"They're a very mature team and went out and did the job," summarized foreman Joe Thorgesen.
The Knights remain ranked 6th in Class 4A.
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