Pendleton Heights pulls away from Yorktown for 42–33 victory
Third-quarter defensive stand and explosive running game help Arabians improve to 7–1
Staff Report
PENDLETON, Ind. — A defensive stand deep in its own territory gave Pendleton Heights an opportunity to take control. An explosive touchdown run moments later supplied the separation.
The Arabians turned a close third-quarter contest into a 22-point fourth-quarter advantage before withstanding Yorktown’s late rally for a 42–33 Indiana high school football victory Friday, Oct. 9.
Pendleton Heights improved to 7–1, while Yorktown fell to 5–3.
The Tigers matched the Arabians at 14–14 during the second quarter when Sam Tokar connected with Cooper Luzadder for a 65-yard touchdown and Yorktown added the extra point.
The game remained tight into the third quarter, with Pendleton Heights holding a 21–20 edge. A 39-yard touchdown pass extended the lead to 28–20, but Yorktown drove inside the Arabians’ 10-yard line with a chance to answer.
Pendleton Heights held, taking over on downs near its own goal line.
The Arabians immediately struck with a touchdown run covering nearly the length of the field. The extra point made it 35–20, turning Yorktown’s potential tying opportunity into a two-touchdown deficit.
Pendleton Heights added another rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to lead 42–20. Yorktown answered with a rushing score, then recovered possession after an unsuccessful onside kick and an Arabians punt. A late touchdown pass narrowed the final margin to nine points.
Brandt Gray and Joel Weaver powered the Pendleton Heights running game. Gray rushed for 200 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, while Weaver added 169 yards and two scores on 14 attempts. The Arabians finished with 377 rushing yards and 468 yards of total offense.
Gray also completed five of eight passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Sam Behrendt caught both scoring passes, finishing with two receptions for 56 yards.
Yorktown countered with a productive passing attack. Tokar completed 26 of 40 throws for 339 yards and two touchdowns, adding 92 rushing yards and a score.
Kaden Crumes caught 14 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 71 yards and a score, giving him 237 yards from scrimmage.
