Cornerback and return specialist Tico Pringle returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown in the 1st quarter and added a 91 yard blocked field goal return for a touchdown in the 4th quarter to help the Kings improve to 2-0 with a 41-0 shutout victory over the visiting Tri County Titans.
The Kings took an early lead after kicker Brad Faunce's squib kick on the opening kickoff led to a live ball recovery by defensive back Herb Askew. Running back Justin Shepard scored on a 6 yard touchdown run up the gut five plays later to give the Kings an early 7-0 lead just minutes into the contest.
The Kings ?Darkside Defense quickly added to that lead later in the first quarter as cornerback Tico Pringle stepped in front of a Titans receiver for an interception and returned the interception 44 yards down the left sideline for the touchdown. The interception was the Kings 3rd takeaway of the quarter and gave the Kings a commanding 14-0 lead after the opening period.
The Darkside added an additional defensive score in the second quarter as cornerback Cole Miyahira intercepted yet another Titans pass and rushed 70 yards down the right sideline to pay dirt. Miyahira's interception was the Kings 3rd interception of the half and led the Titans to replace their starting quarterback.
The Kings defense provided the 1st of two impressive goal lines stand in the final seconds of the 2nd quarter to help preserve their shutout heading into halftime. The first came right before halftime as the Titans were looking at 1st and Goal from the Kings 2 yard line. Coach Tarver dialed up back to back blitzes which resulted in a pair of sacks on consecutive plays by free safety Eric Brinkley Jr and (player name).
The Kings second goal line stand came in the last seconds of regulation. The Kings stopped the Titans on three consecutive pass attempts in goal-to-go situations with just seconds remaining in the game. On 4th and Goal, the Titans brought out the field goal unit in an attempt to prevent an embarrassing shutout. However, the Kings defensive line got an outstanding push at the line of scrimmage and blocked the Titans field goal attempt. Cornerback Tico Pringle scooped up the blocked field goal try and returned it 91 yards down the left sideline for the final score of the game as time expired to put an exclamation point on the Kings second victory of the season.
The Kings had three defensive touchdowns on the evening and one special teams touchdown as well. Defensive end Leon Moore had a big game for the notorious Darkside defense. In addition to many bone bruising hits delivered by Moore, he also got into the scoring mix after he recovered a Titans fumble in their end zone in the third quarter. The Kings are on the road next Saturday as they travel to Palm Springs, Calif. to take on the Desert Valley Knights at Cathedral City High School. They return to the Kingdom on Saturday Sept. 4th to host the Southern California Steelers at 7:30 p.m.