In a game that came down to the wire, it was a few crucial errors that separated the Robinson Knights and Middleton in last Friday’s match up. An excessive celebration penalty caused the Knights to miss the game-tying field goal and lose the district game 21-20.

“Definitely not the outcome we expected or wanted,” Robinson receiver Quinton Lane (’19) said. “We’ve got to bounce back and regroup for the must-win game this week.”

The game got off to a slow start in the first quarter, as neither team scored any points. The Tigers blocked the first punt by Robinson punter Carson Bay (’21), but failed to do anything with it. The Knights got into field goal range later in the quarter, but missed a kick which left the score at 0-0.

The second quarter saw the first points of the game, as Robinson quarterback Kobe Copple (’19) scored on a 10-yard run that put the Knights up 7-0. There were no more points scored in the first half, but Robinson quarterback Cameron Lockridge (’19) made an interception at the end of the half to secure the Knights’ lead heading into the third quarter.

Middleton came out in the third quarter and tied the game up on a touchdown run, putting the score at 7-7. Robinson then fumbled the ball, which Middleton recovered and started a drive in Robinson territory. The Knights got the ball back on a Quinton Lane (’19) interception, but gave the ball right back with another fumble. This time Middleton capitalized on the turnover and ran in a touchdown to take a 14-7 lead going into the fourth quarter.

In the first minute of the final quarter of the game, Robinson made yet another fumble, which Middleton ran back for a touchdown, extending their lead to 21-7. The Knights responded with a touchdown of their own, as Kobe Copple ran in another score to bring them within seven points. The Robinson defense kept the Middleton offense from extending the lead, and then receiver Cameron Lockridge caught a Copple pass for a touchdown to put the Knights one point away from a tied game. An excessive celebration penalty was called on the Knights after the score, leading to the extra point being pushed back 15 yards. The kick was no good, keeping the score at 21-20 in favor of the Tigers. Kobe Copple threw an interception with about a minute left, which sealed the game for the Knights.

“We have to continue the process that we’ve been on,” Head coach Craig Everhart said. “I think sharpening up those mental errors…”

The Knights face Jefferson on Friday, Oct.26, at Jefferson High School (4401 W Cypress St, Tampa, 33607).