Photo by Darian Hays
Dakota Myers takes the ball downfield for the Knights during the home game with Arcola October 7. Myers had nine yards rushing for the game.

•October 12, 2016•

By Matthew Kracht
NP Sports

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond lost its home matchup with the reigning 2015 Class 1A state champion Purple Riders Oct 7. A back and forth rivalry game saw Arcola prevail 44-20.

However, what the football teams did to honor cancer survivor Kara Kuhns at halftime spoke volumes about both communities. ALAH graduate Kuhns worked for both school districts’ speech departments throughout her four-year battle with the disease. The teams on the field and fans in attendance gave Kuhns a standing ovation to show solidarity against a disease that afflicts millions of Americans every year. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month show your support by wearing pink proudly.

Arcola drew first blood in the contest with a 23-yard run for a touchdown at the five minute mark in the first quarter. Arthur hit back with a 40 yard completion to Kobe Wells on a well-designed play action pass. Wells’ catch set up the Knights’ first down from the Riders’ 36 yard line. Dakota Myers then brought the crowd to its feet with a 36 yard touchdown on a perfectly blocked screen pass. Will Cohan put both passes right where they needed to be despite intense pressure from a talented Arcola defense. ALAH’s two point attempt failed, and the Riders led 7-6 with 3:51 left in the first quarter.

ALAH head coach Dale Schuring said the team has been starting strong but struggling to maintain. “We have made a lot of improvements. Last several weeks out we have been 0-0 6-2. We have started out well; it is just a matter of maintaining it. I think our lack of depth has something to do with that. These kids just don’t get a break. “      Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.