Miscues were costly, as Polk County’s varsity team fell to the North Henderson Knights, 20-14, at North in non-conference football play on Friday, Aug. 28.

After the game, head coach Jamie Thompson asked his players to “be patient with each other. We’ve got to rectify it . . . We’ve got to win the rest of them. Everything happens for a reason.” Thompson continued, “There’s a reason for this. I love you.”

While Thompson admitted, “We made too many mistakes,” and noted the team’s limited experience — Polk’s roster features only five starting seniors — bright spots glowed through the gloom of defeat.

The Wolverines, now 1-1, who won the coin toss, and elected to receive the opening kickoff. They took charge early. Ground gains by quarterback Jamal Wheeler, Storm Wheeler, and by Chandler Patrick (healed from a hand injury) set up Jamal Wheeler’s keeper for a score. Polk’s kick was good, and the Wolverines led, 7-0.

Wolverine sophomore Dillon Overholt turned in two of those bright spots. After Polk was forced to punt, Overholt buried the Knights’ punt receiver on the spot, with a jarring tackle. Early in the fourth quarter, with Polk ahead 14-7, Overholt hauled in a long pass from Jamal Wheeler, and raced into the end zone for what appeared to be a Polk TD.

That play was called back when the Wolverines were flagged for an illegal formation.

Polk senior Khiree Green, who has become skilled at stripping the ball from opposing runners, forced two fumbles, both recovered by Storm Wheeler.

Aside from losing a fumble of their own, and being flagged on numerous other occasions (so were the Knights), Polk’s main obstacles to victory were North Henderson’s running quarterback Trevor Craft, running back Austin Vanhoy, and linebacker Cole McCarson.

Craft and Vanhoy each picked up considerable yardage. With Polk leading 7-0 in the second quarter, Craft scored from 18 yards out on a keeper. The PAT was good, and the score tied.

North’s next two kickoff attempts went out of bounds, prompting two five-yard penalties. When they finally kept a kickoff inbounds, Jamal Wheeler ran it back 70 yards for a Wolverine TD. Davis Derkach made his second PAT of the evening, and Polk led, 14-7, a lead that held into the fourth quarter.

A penalty against Polk on a punt to the Knghts, gave North the ball on its 44. Craft ran the ball in from the Polk 38. The ensuing kick tied the score at 14, and suddenly, Polk, which seemed to dominate the game, had to begin again.

North’s final TD came soon after the Knights earned fine field position when a low snap eluded Polk’s punter, and a North player fell on the ball at the Wolverine 22. Craft once more took the ball in, and though Polk foiled North’s two-point attempt, only 1:49 remained in the game.

Polk advanced as far as North’s 10, but time ran out.

This Friday, Sept. 4, the Wolverines host R-S Central in more non-conference action. Conference play begins Sept. 25 when Polk hosts Madison. All games begin at 7:30.