Wall Edges Out Jackson Liberty 33-30

The Wall Crimson Knights edged out an explosive Jackson Liberty team 33-30 Friday night in their home opener to remain undefeated after two games.

Wall was able to thwart a final push by Jackson in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter by falling on an on-side kick and taking over with 3:50 left in the game and three points ahead.

A seven-play drive from their own 47 yard line ran out time on the clock, giving Wall their second win of the young season, the first in front of a home crowd.

But it wasn't easy. The Lions intercepted Knights quarterback Steve Cluley twice and twice used the team's explosive speed to run back two kickoffs for touchdowns, punching holes in the Knights defense along the way.

"We're going to have to take a look at special teams,'' said Crimson Knights Head Coach Chris Barnes. "We've got a lot of work to do there.''

After stumbling with a penalty for having too many men on the field on their first play, the Jackson Liberty pushed through the Knights' defense with a run inside Wall's 20 yard line. The Lions were unable to get in the end zone and settled for a field goal.

Wall answered right back in a back-and-fourth first quarter. Eight plays later, Wall was up 6-3 after a combination of passes from Cluley and runs from Jim Guiliano, who plowed through to the end zone on to cap the drive. The extra point was good, giving the Knights a 7-3 advantage.

Back came the Lions, driving to the end zone in five plays and bringing the score to 7-10 Jackson.

Six more plays and Wall answers with a touchdown of their own. The extra point was blocked and the score was 13-10 Wall.

Jackson's third possession ended in a punt.

Wall takes no time to capitalize. Two plays later, Cluley connected with receiver Conor Mulholland for a 51-yard touchdown. But Jackson for a second time blocks the extra point, leaving the score 19-10.

Jackson was unable to change the scoreboard in their next possession. And wall comes driving back with their longest drive of the game, a 13-play marathon that ended when Cluley was picked off with an end zone pass with just less than three minutes in the half.

Jackson ran the ball back to the Knights' 10 yard line, where they were stymied by a Crimson stonewall and had to settle for a field goal attempt, which failed with 51 seconds in the half.

Jackson came out hitting hard in the third quarter, forcing Wall to kick on their first possession of the second half -- a kick that was returned to the end zone in a spectacular run through Wall's return team, putting the Lions within two at 19-17.

Wall marched down the field systematically following the arm of Cluley and the running of Guiliano until Cluley was picked off for a second time deep in the Lion's zone.

Wall got another chance when Jackson couldn't score and went up 25-17 early in the fourth.

But Jackson returned a kick on the next play for a touchdown. A 2-point conversion was unsuccessful, bringing the Lions within two at 25-23.

Wall puts on another six and the insurance two points, capping an 11-play drive. But Jackson for a second time runs the length of the field for another quick six, plus the extra point.

An onside kick was gobbled up by wall and they never let go until time ran out on the Lions.

Barnes said he was overall pleased, but that his special teams are going to need some work.

"We're going to have to get someone on those kick returns who is going to tackle,'' Barnes said. "We'll have to be looking at personnel.''