Walker’s four touchdowns power Cross County past McCrory

Cross County 46, McCrory 12

Kolby Walker scored four rushing touchdowns, and Cross County turned a two-point game into a 46-12 homecoming victory over McCrory with 32 unanswered second-half points Friday at Thunderbird Stadium.

The Thunderbirds led only 14-12 after Caden Ayers caught a 27-yard touchdown pass with 9:06 remaining in the third quarter. McCrory’s two-point attempt failed, and Cross County recovered the ensuing onside kick. Walker broke tackles on the next play and ran into the end zone with 8:49 left. A successful two-point conversion pushed the lead to 22-12.

Cross County finished the separation in the fourth quarter. Ryan Lamb scored from 3 yards out with 11:25 remaining, and Caden Finley’s two-point run made it 30-12. The Thunderbirds recovered their own onside kick to keep the offense on the field. A holding penalty erased an apparent Walker touchdown, but Alex Sinclair’s run to the McCrory 12 set up another opportunity. Walker scored on the next play at 9:34, and Sinclair added the conversion.

McCrory then lost a fumble on its next offensive play. Cross County capitalized again, moving into position for Walker’s 39-yard touchdown run with 7:52 remaining. Trytan Tucker ran for the two-point conversion, completing a 24-point fourth quarter and establishing the final margin.

Lamb had opened the scoring with a 5-yard run at 9:47 of the first quarter, followed by Sinclair’s two-point run. McCrory answered with a touchdown but failed to convert, leaving Cross County ahead 8-6. Walker extended that lead on a 16-yard touchdown run with 1:56 left in the second quarter. The Thunderbirds’ unsuccessful conversion left the halftime score at 14-6.

Walker supplied four of Cross County’s six touchdowns, while Lamb scored the other two. The Thunderbirds also converted five of their six two-point tries. McCrory missed both of its attempts, including the chance to tie the game early in the third quarter.

Scoring summary

First quarter

9:47 — Cross County: Ryan Lamb 5-yard run; Alex Sinclair two-point run. Cross County 8-0.

Second quarter

1:56 — Cross County: Kolby Walker 16-yard run; two-point run unsuccessful. Cross County 14-6.

Third quarter

9:06 — McCrory: Caden Ayers 27-yard touchdown reception; two-point run unsuccessful. Cross County 14-12.

8:49 — Cross County: Kolby Walker touchdown run; two-point conversion successful. Cross County 22-12.

Fourth quarter

11:25 — Cross County: Ryan Lamb 3-yard run; Caden Finley two-point run. Cross County 30-12.

9:34 — Cross County: Kolby Walker 12-yard run; Alex Sinclair two-point run. Cross County 38-12.

7:52 — Cross County: Kolby Walker 39-yard run; Trytan Tucker two-point run. Cross County 46-12.

Players who stood out

Kolby Walker, Cross County: Four rushing touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter.

Ryan Lamb, Cross County: Two rushing touchdowns, from 5 and 3 yards.

Alex Sinclair, Cross County: Two successful two-point runs and a fourth-quarter run to the McCrory 12 that set up a Walker touchdown.

Caden Ayers, McCrory: A 27-yard touchdown reception that cut the deficit to 14-12.