Summit opens field with loss; Storm falls to Churchill 35-21 at new stadium | Sports

Storm falls to Churchill 35-21 at new stadium

Published: September 06. 2008 4:00AM PST

Celebrating its first competition in its new stadium, Summit fell to Churchill of Eugene 35-21 on Friday night in nonleague football action.

Playing in front of a packed house — Summit officials described it as the largest football crowd in the school’s eight-year history — the Storm was tied with the Lancers 21-21 late in the fourth quarter before the Midwestern League school put the game out of reach with two late touchdowns. “It’s not a win,” said second-year Summit coach Keith Wilkins. “And I don’t believe in moral victories. But that’s the best football game we’ve played from a physical standpoint since I’ve been here.”

Quarterback Harlan Porterfield passed for 178 yards and one touchdown, but also threw two interceptions.

“Harlan improved again,” Wilkins said about his senior signal caller. “He’s a kid who hasn’t played football since his sophomore year and hasn’t played quarterback since he was a freshman. ... He’s making huge strides.”

In the first half, both teams struggled out of the gate. The Storm and the Lancers combined for 18 penalties — nine committed by each team.

Summit punted four times in the first quarter and Churchill turned the ball over three times before halftime, twice inside the Storm’s 20-yard line.

While Summit’s offense sputtered early, senior Matson Hardie broke open a scoreless tie with an 88-yard punt return with 10.7 seconds left in the first quarter. Picking the ball up on the bounce, Hardie broke to the left side of the field until cutting back to midfield around Churchill’s 10-yard line.

The Lancers answered on their next possession, though, taking the ball 71 yards in 2 minutes, 11 seconds into the end zone. Quarterback Eric Knapp completed a 29-yard touchdown pass to Churchill receiver Blake Determan with 7:52 left in the half, tying the game 7-7. The Lancers threatened again after forcing Summit to punt after just five plays. Churchill, which started with the ball on its own 5-yard line, drove 85 yards to the Storm’s 10-yard line before Summit linebacker Cody Knighten intercepted a screen pass at about the 8-yard line.

The Lancers hit their stride after halftime, though, scoring 28 points in the game’s final 24 minutes. Knapp, who ended the game with 216 yards passing and three touchdowns, found Determan two more times in the end zone.

Determan scorched Summit all night, catching 11 balls for 199 yards and three touchdowns. Determan also ended Summit’s fourth-quarter rally with a 55-yard interception return.