Kingston Pulls Away From Byron for 44-18 Victory

Cardinals lead by just two at halftime before taking control behind Brenden Cummings’ 222-yard rushing performance

KINGSTON — What started as a tight first-half battle turned into a commanding second-half performance for the Kingston Cardinals, who pulled away from the Byron Eagles for a 44-18 victory.

Kingston entered halftime holding a narrow 14-12 lead after Byron challenged the Cardinals physically on both sides of the football. Kingston struggled to establish the type of physical advantage it wanted during the opening half, allowing the Eagles to stay within two points at the break.

The Cardinals made the necessary adjustments at halftime, and the difference showed after the break.

Kingston found its rhythm offensively while its defense tightened up, outscoring Byron 30-6 in the second half to turn the two-point halftime margin into a 26-point victory.

Leading the charge was Brenden Cummings, who delivered a huge performance on the ground. Cummings carried 19 times for 222 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 11.7 yards per attempt. He also added a two-point conversion and completed one of two passes for 12 yards.

Cummings accounted for nearly 77 percent of Kingston's 289 rushing yards.

The Cardinals weren't dependent on one player, however.

Austin Flores made an impact in all three phases. He rushed four times for 33 yards and a touchdown, added a two-point conversion and caught a 10-yard pass. Flores was particularly dangerous in the return game, piling up 83 yards on three kick returns.

Defensively, Flores recorded five tackles and an interception.

Aiden Flynn added 29 yards and a touchdown on three carries while converting a two-point attempt. He also caught a 16-yard pass.

Quarterback Luke Krug completed 3 of 6 passes for 36 yards and a touchdown. Hudson Groner was on the receiving end of that score and finished with two receptions for 22 yards.

Altogether, Kingston generated 337 yards of offense, including 289 on the ground. The Cardinals averaged more than 10 yards per rushing attempt.

Kingston's defense also produced several impact plays.

Shawn Reno led the unit with 10 solo tackles, two assists and a sack. Groner contributed six tackles and two assists, while Cummings recorded five tackles and two assists.

The Cardinals forced three Byron turnovers. Flores and Mason Bingaman each recorded an interception, while Michael Phillips recovered a fumble. Bingaman also contributed four tackles, an assist and a pass breakup, while Phillips added a tackle for loss.

After being pushed throughout the first half, Kingston's ability to adjust and establish control after halftime proved to be the difference.

The result was a balanced team performance and a 44-18 victory over Byron.

Final Score

                Kingston Cardinals
            
44
FINAL

                Byron Eagles
            
18
Scoring Summary

                Team
                1st Half
                2nd Half
                Final
            
                    Kingston Cardinals
                
                14
                30
                44
            
                    Byron Eagles
                
                12
                6
                18
            
        Kingston led 14-12 at halftime before outscoring Byron
        30-6 in the second half. Individual scoring-play details
        were not provided.
    
Game Leaders
Rushing

                Brenden Cummings
            
                Kingston
            
                19 CAR

                222 YDS

                2 TD

                1 2-PT
            
Passing

                Luke Krug
            
                Kingston
            
                3/6

                36 YDS

                1 TD
            
Receiving

                Hudson Groner
            
                Kingston
            
                2 REC

                22 YDS

                1 TD
            
All-Purpose

                Austin Flores
            
                Kingston
            
                33 Rush YDS

                10 Rec YDS

                83 Return YDS

                1 Rush TD
            
Defense

                Shawn Reno
            
                Kingston
            
                10 TKL

                2 AST

                1 SACK
            
Takeaways

                Kingston Defense
            
                Cardinals
            
                3 TAKEAWAYS

                2 INT

                1 Fumble Recovery
            
        Kingston Defensive Leaders
    
                    Player
                    Tackles
                    Assists
                    Impact Plays
                
                    Shawn Reno
                    10
                    2
                    1 Sack
                
                    Hudson Groner
                    6
                    2
                    —
                
                    Austin Flores
                    5
                    —
                    1 INT
                
                    Brenden Cummings
                    5
                    2
                    —
                
                    Mason Bingaman
                    4
                    1
                    1 INT, 1 PBU
                
                    Michael Phillips
                    —
                    1
                    1 TFL, 1 FR
                
        Kingston Offensive Snapshot
    
                Rushing
                28 Carries
                289 Yards
                4 TD
            
                Passing
                4-of-8
                48 Yards
                1 TD
            
                Total Offense
                
                    337 Yards
                
                5 Offensive TD

Team	1st Half	2nd Half	Final
Kingston Cardinals	14	30	44
Byron Eagles	12	6	18

Player	Tackles	Assists	Impact Plays
Shawn Reno	10	2	1 Sack
Hudson Groner	6	2	—
Austin Flores	5	—	1 INT
Brenden Cummings	5	2	—
Mason Bingaman	4	1	1 INT, 1 PBU
Michael Phillips	—	1	1 TFL, 1 FR

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Cummings dominates on the ground: Brenden Cummings was the centerpiece of Kingston's offense, rushing for 222 yards and two touchdowns on only 19 carries. His 11.7 yards per carry helped the Cardinals finish with 289 rushing yards.

Second-half adjustments change the game: Kingston held only a 14-12 advantage at halftime before outscoring Byron 30-6 after the break. The Cardinals' improvement on both sides of the ball turned a close game into a convincing victory.

Flores impacts all three phases: Austin Flores rushed for a touchdown, caught a pass, recorded 83 return yards, made five tackles and intercepted a pass. His production on offense, defense and special teams made him one of Kingston's most versatile contributors.

Defense creates turnovers: Kingston came away with two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Those takeaways helped the Cardinals gain control after Byron kept the game close during the opening half.

Ground game sets the tone: Kingston ran the ball 28 times for 289 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 10.3 yards per carry. Three different Cardinals — Cummings, Flores and Flynn — found the end zone on the ground.