By JOSHUA ETHRIDGE / For the Reporter

Kingwood Christian got back on a winning track on Sept. 13, defeating the Glenwood High School Gators 69-49.

Glenwood received the ball first and wasted no time getting on the board. The Gators marched down the field on an 11-play drive capped off by a 14-yard touchdown run. The extra point was successful giving them an early 7-0 lead.

Kingwood promptly gave the ball back to the Gators as the kick returner fumbled the ball. Eight plays later, Glenwood scored another rushing touchdown from 1 yard out. The extra point gave them a 14-0 lead with just under six minutes left in the first quarter.

Glenwood kicked the ball off again, but this time Kingwood returned the ball 36 yards and into Glenwood territory. The Lions capitalized off of the drive, scoring on a 16-yard catch by C’Yontai Lewis. With the extra point, Kingwood cut the lead to seven with 2:35 left in the first quarter.

After three plays the Gators found themselves punting the ball back to Kingwood. On the first play of the drive KCS scored on a 42-yard touchdown pass from Gavin Sumrall to Montez Haynes. The first quarter ended with a score of 14-14.

Both teams swapped possessions for most of the second quarter until Kingwood scored on an 18-yard pass play to Montez Haynes. After the extra point the score was 21-14.

The Lions carried that lead into the locker room at halftime.

Glenwood struck first in the second half on a 14-yard touchdown run. The extra point tied up the game at 21 with just over seven minutes left in the third quarter.

Both the Lions and Gators tallied touchdowns on their next three drives keeping the score deadlocked at 42-42 with one minute left in the third quarter.

Kingwood broke the tie on its next drive a with a 17-yard touchdown pass to C’Yontai Lewis. The extra point made the score 49-42, advantage Lions.

The momentum shifted to Kingwood a couple plays later as the Gators gave the ball back to the Lions on a fumble. On the next play, Gavin Sumrall connected with his brother Gage Sumrall on a 56-yard pass play for a touchdown. The extra point gave the Lions a 56-42 lead, putting the game on ice.

“Glenwood is tough, the came to play and never gave up, hats off to them,” said Kingwood Christian head coach Steve Birmingham about the effort shown by the Gators.

Offensively for Kingwood Christian, Gavin Sumrall was 22-of-34 passing for 485 yards and eight touchdowns. Montez Haynes led the receivers with eight catches for 181 yards and four touchdowns. Haynes also registered a kickoff return for a touchdown and a fumble recovery.

The Lions will square off against East Memorial Christian Academy at home Sept. 19.