GRANITE CITY - Alton overcame an 85-yard touchdown return on the opening kickoff to beat Granite and give Alton Head Coach Rick Reinhart his first win as the Redbirds’ head coach, with a handful of momentum-changing plays leaving the Warriors unable to recover, Coach Sherand Boyd, Jr., said after last week's game. The Warriors struck first when Kaysen Emerson fielded the opening kickoff, changed fields and raced down the near sideline for a touchdown. A failed two-point conversion attempt left Granite ahead 6-0.
Granite recovered an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff but could not capitalize, giving Alton the ball for the first time.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
“It all came down to about three to five plays, and there were three to five plays that just changed the game completely, and flipped the momentum,” Boyd said. “We just could never recover after that.”
Boyd said learning to build on momentum is part of the process for the Warriors as they work to establish a foundation in their first year.
“Even just gathering on our sidelines, and things like that, kids were just so excited,” Boyd said. “I think this is just part of the learning process, teaching kids how the momentum of the game goes, and how fast a couple of plays can change the game.”
Boyd credited Alton’s players and Reinhart’s work building the program. He also pointed to encouraging moments for Granite beyond Emerson’s opening return, including defensive stops and explosive offensive plays.
“We had a couple of good defensive stops; offensively, we had some explosive plays that we have to convert on,” Boyd said.
The Warriors next face Triad in Granite’s homecoming game.
"We’re going to have to focus up, and play against a really good Triad team,” Boyd said.
“Hats off to Coach Reinhart for getting his first win as the Alton head coach,” Boyd said, “and we’re looking forward to recovering, coming back, and just being a better football team.”
