Knights work through glitches to beat Raiders

Farmington running back Kaesen McClain (26) runs through a hit by North County safety Zane Huff (5) to score a 35-yard touchdown during first quarter football action on Friday night in Farmington. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)

FARMINGTON – Three long touchdown runs in the first half helped Farmington overcome a few hiccups during its debut under an altered offensive scheme.

Kaesen McClain began his third varsity campaign by rushing for 126 yards and three scores on 14 carries, and the Knights topped North County 28-14 on Friday night.

Senior linebacker Damian Cabrera notched five tackles for loss with a forced fumble and sack to help Farmington (1-0) beat its chief rival for the first time in three years.

North County (0-1) rolled out nine new offensive starters, including four along the line, and committed three turnovers in addition to some costly blocking miscues.

The anticipated season opener was pushed back one hour as a safety precaution due to excessive heat and humidity that still persisted after sundown.

North County quarterback Henry Allebach (9) is stopped by Farmington lineman Mason Probst (66) and inside linebacker Damian Cabrera (5) during fourth quarter football action on Friday night in Farmington.

Farmington shined on its initial drive, as McClain burst through the middle for a 54-yard touchdown on the fifth play following a key third-down conversion.

Junior quarterback Brett Drye, who rarely threw from a different formation last season, completed his first attempts to Connor Rice before finishing 3-of-8 overall.

Cabrera was unaccounted for when dropping Raiders quarterback Henry Allebach for a 7-yard loss, and the resulting three-and-out spelled excellent field position for the Knights.

Farmington started its second drive at the Raiders’ 27, but sophomore linebacker Seth Keen answered with a strip sack before Landon Carroll intercepted Drye.

The turnover was handed back moments later on a fumble that Cabrera forced and Rice recovered. A 35-yard run by McClain, with two broken tackles, bumped the margin to 14-0.

Farmington receiver Sam Woodson (21) is tackled by North County defensive backs Brice Varner (6) and Ashton Goad (84) for a short loss after catching a pass during second quarter football action on Friday night in Farmington.

North County sustained a disjointed but successful march to switch momentum, bolstered by a 25-yard run from Hayden Barbarotto on his first touch.

Allebach scrambled to move the chains, and the Raiders received another break when pass interference on third-and-18 and an ensuing offside call moved them into the red zone.

After three consecutive pre-snap infractions slowed the tempo, Carson Logan powered straight ahead for a 12-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter.

Allebach, who totaled a team-high 48 rushing yards, again used his mobility out of extra-point formation to scamper toward the pylon, and briefly brought North County to within 14-8.

North County fullback Carson Logan (30) runs for a 12-yard touchdown during second quarter football action on Friday night in Farmington.

A short kickoff set Farmington up with another condensed field. One play after being stopped for a loss by lineman Carson Archer, Drye was untouched on a 47-yard scoring keeper around the right side.

Rice added the two-point conversion on a shovel pass, and the Knights maintained their 22-8 advantage through intermission despite muddling through nine first-half penalties.

Huff, the replacement for all-state record breaker Jobe Smith at tailback, began the second half with a 42-yard kickoff return to midfield that was amplified by a personal foul for a hit out of bounds.

But the Knights tightened defensively with a sack by lineman Mason Probst, and Gabe Giuliani blocked the eventual punt before recovering at the North County 27.

Farmington squandered two chances to extend the lead after taking over in positive territory, but the Raiders lost two possessions as McClain and Scott Fripp pounced on Allebach fumbles.

North County executed a 24-yard screen on third-and-14 as Allebach found Logan from his own end zone, but the key possession concluded with a high punt snap.

Although McClain pushed his way to a third touchdown on extra effort from 5 yards out with 8:08 left to seal the win, the Knights later ceded a botched punt snap of their own.

Allebach capped the scoring on a 2-yard sneak in the final minute, and completed 5-of-8 passes to five different receivers for 57 yards while often under duress.

Drye ended with 63 yards on six carries. Farmington, which officially changed to Class 5 designation earlier in the day, will travel to Potosi for week 2.

North County, plagued by 10 penalties on its side, welcomes St. Clair for the home opener on Friday.

Farmington cornerback Brett Drye (3) forces a fumble with a hit on North County running back Zane Huff (5) during second quarter football action on Friday night in Farmington.

Farmington defensive tackle Bryce Kathcart (59) and linebacker Kaesen McClain stop North County running back Hayden Barbarotto (17) during third quarter football action on Friday night in Farmington.

North County receiver Landon Carroll (16) is tackled by Farmington defensive back Ian Zohner (12) as Gabe Giuliani (2) pursues during first quarter football action on Friday night in Farmington.

Farmington right tackle Luke Birkner (56) blocks against North County defensive end Lucas Richardson (51) during third quarter football action on Friday night in Farmington.