EVANSVILLE — Chaos. How else can you describe that ending at Bundrant Stadium?
Castle football came away with a 29-26 win against North on August 21 to start its season on the right note. Leading the way was quarterback Sawyer Winsett and wide receiver Jaivon Aunspach. The pair connected for all four of the Knights’ touchdowns.
The performance was special, and it was coming. Just ask Aunspach.
“Sawyer’s been my quarterback for many years now,” Aunspach said. “We’re at the field every weekend. I mean, it was bound to happen at some point.”
It was meant to be the story of the night. But the game script had other plans.
A thrilling finish
The drama came in the dying seconds of the game as the Huskies were driving down the field, inching closer to a win at home in their season opener.
North’s rushing attack, primarily consisting of quarterback Jayden Jones and running back Hunter McKinney, were causing issues for Castle for much of this game.
Jones and McKinney each had a 70-yard rushing touchdown on the Huskies’ opening two possessions. It felt like a sign of things to come — in many ways, it was.
After a go-ahead touchdown by Aunspach with five minutes remaining in the game, North needed a response down three points. A field goal to tie, a touchdown to win. Now or never.
As the Huskies took control of the ball, they found openings in the Knights defense. North had been using an array of rushing techniques to advance down the field. This included jet sweeps — a hand-off to a wide receiver in motion — to potentially deceive Castle.
At times, it worked. At other times, it did not. More on that shortly.
North put themselves in great position to win the football game. Jones found Markell Cayce wide open on fourth down to continue the drive after it looked like the Knights had done enough.
It came down to the final 30 seconds. North opted to run another jet sweep. Not only was Castle ready for it, but the Huskies fumbled the ball and the Knights recovered to win the game.
North coach Zac Nero took accountability for the outcome afterwards.
“Situationally, we have to be better as a staff and that’s on me,” Nero said.
The Knights celebrations began. Amid adversity, there was a response each time. In the end, the Castle sideline and student section erupted in joy.
That is win No. 1.
“Things did not start well for us in any way, shape or form,” Castle coach Doug Hurt said. “I thought we showed a lot of character and fight when things didn’t look very good in the game.”
Fatigue was a theme of the night for both teams. Cramping seemed to be at an all-time high, causing numerous stoppages. Mustard packets were spread across the sidelines.
But neither team showed even an ounce of reluctancy. This game was a battle for 48 minutes and it could have exceeded that if necessary.
Coach Hurt won his 150th game as Castle coach with the win. He did not give the milestone any attention afterwards, instead focusing on what his group just did and what they plan to do going forward.
For Nero, his group fought just as hard. This is a new-look Huskies defense still figuring things out. But he is focused on growth, Nero said this game does not define them.
“Our kids battled,” Nero said. “I think our preparation needs to be fixed, that’s what happens when you graduate 10 of the 11 on defense. Just trying to get them to understand that they have to grow.”
Next, Castle plays Mater Dei at the Reitz Bowl on August 28. The Wildcats also won in Week 1, 56-14 against Central.
North will be at home once again, this time against Memorial on August 28. The Tigers took down Jasper in Week 1, 48-14.
Markos Tsegaye is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. He can be reached at mtsegaye@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @10_Markos_.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Castle football wins thriller against Evansville North
Reporting by Markos Tsegaye, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
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By Markos Tsegaye, Evansville Courier & Press | USA TODAY Network
