Emerald Sound Conference: King's Wins Title on Final Second

King’s football claimed the Emerald Sound Conference title on a 32-yard field goal by Nate Bjella as the clock hit zero at Woolsey Stadium. The senior kicker, who had never attempted a field goal in a game before Friday, drilled the attempt to lift the Knights to a 24-22 win over Granite Falls. The result gives King its seventh conference championship in the last eight seasons.

The game followed a familiar script for the two programs. In the previous year’s meeting, Granite Falls erased a 14-0 halftime deficit to win 20-14 and end King’s title streak. On Friday, the Tigers again chased down a sizable lead. Senior Beau Everson scored on a two-point conversion with 49 seconds remaining to put Granite Falls ahead 22-21.

King’s coach Jim Shapiro said the team operates on a mentality of playing 120 plays, six seconds at a time. He noted that the squad never quit and knew it had a chance when it gained possession with under a minute left. The Knights had all three timeouts available, a factor that kept the drive alive.

The final sequence involved precise execution. Junior Henry Wilson completed short passes to juniors AJ Alvarez and Edward Pellham to move the ball into Tigers’ territory. With 30 seconds left, Wilson connected with senior Daniel Binkley for a 27-yard gain down the right sideline. Binkley had no other receptions in the game, but that catch set the stage for the winning kick.

Bjella did not start as the kicker until Tuesday. The coaching staff assigned him the role after observing his strong leg during practice. His first attempt of the night, an extra point, was missed. He also contributed on offense, recording a 17-yard rush, three receptions, and the winning kick.

Senior Cooper Ward led King’s offense with 123 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Wilson completed 11 of 24 passes for 160 yards and a score. For Granite Falls, Everson carried the ball for 135 yards and a touchdown, while junior Blake Hudson added 55 rushing yards and a score.

The Knights entered the game with an 8-1 record and a 3-0 conference mark. Granite Falls finished with a 6-3 record and a 2-1 conference standing. The victory positions King’s to host a Week 10 game in the 1A state playoffs. Granite Falls is expected to qualify for the initial 24-team field but will likely play on the road.

Bjella described the final kick as nerve-wracking but manageable. He said he trusted his holder and focused on nailing the attempt. Ward said the win addressed confidence issues within the team and prepared the squad for intense playoff matchups.