Tyler Consolidated’s offense prepares to run a play against Calhoun County.

By Chad Turner

Staff Writer

Tyler Consolidated picked up it’s first win on the season Friday night as Senior quarterback Gage Huffman and record setting senior running back Mark Rucker gave the homecoming crowd a game to remember. Huffman scored six touchdowns rushing and passed for another to lift the Silver Knights to a school record 74-36 thumping of the visiting Calhoun County Red Devils. Rucker scored three touchdowns and rushed for 108 yards on nine carries all in the first half.

The Knights led 16-0 after the first quarter thanks to Huffman’s 68 yard jaunt at the nine minute mark of the first and Ruckers first score a 14 yard run with 2:41 in the period. In the second quarter the visitors scored twice on runs of two and one yards for 16 points, but Tyler got another 14 yard run for a score from Rucker and a 14 yard pass for a score from Huffman to Rucker to go into the locker room up 32-16.

The Silver Knights halftime festivities included the crowning of the 2019 Homecoming Queen with senior Rachel Thomas being crowned by last years Queen Josey Jones. That set the stage for a second half performance by Huffman that will long be remembered.

The Silver Knights’ Mark Rucker (14) sets a new school record for career rushing yards.

On the opening kickoff of the second half Huffman picked up a fumble and ran untouched 55 yards for a score. He then added the two point conversion run to give the Knights a 40-16 lead with 11:51 still to play in the third quarter. Huffman scored again with 10:39 left in the third on a three yard run following a fumble recovery and added a 35 yard run with 7:30 on the third period clock to give Coach Walton’s squad a 54-16 lead.

Calhoun got a score on a four yard run with 4:40 to go in the quarter, but Huffman picked up his fourth touchdown of the period with 3:46 left on a 77 yard run. The conversion run was good and the Knights led 62-24. Calhoun added another four yard touchdown just before the end of the third and the score stood at 62-30 going into the fourth period.

On the first play of the fourth Huffman covered 47 yards for six points, the conversion run failed and the Knights held a 68-30 lead. Craven gave the Knights six more at the 5:01 mark of the fourth when he broke free for a 56 yard run to lift the Knights to a 74-30 lead. Calhoun scored on their last play of the game on a 15 yard run to reach the final score.

Huffman accounted for seven touchdowns on the Knight and picked up 283 yards rushing on 14 carries while completing 5-7 passes for 67 yards. Mark Rucker became the Silver Knights all-time leading rusher as he now has 3,136 yards in his career. The Knights 74 points breaks the school record for most points in a single game erasing the 66 points scored against Ritchie County during the 2002 season.

The Silver Knights return to action on Friday night when they travel to Wirt County for a meeting with the Tigers. Tyler will improve to 2-2 with a 42-21 win.

Rachel Thomas was crowned the 2019 Homecoming Queen.