Louisa, Ky. — After a low scoring affair in 2023 between Lawrence Co. ( 2-0 ) and Shelby Valley ( 0-2 ) the Bulldogs won a 49-34 shootout on Friday night at Luke Varney Jr. Memorial Stadium.
Luke Fetherolf heads toward the end zone after a big block from #52 Aiden Handley.
Luke Fetherolf raced in from 48 yards out to get things started for the Bulldogs just 1:15 into the game for a 6-0 lead.
Kolton Stamper caught a 15 yard pass from Brady Johnson to tie it up at 6 apiece at the 7:18 mark of the first quarter.
Fetherolf scored his second touchdown of the night this time from 39 yards and Kaden Johnson added the two point for a 14-6 lead with 6:06 left in the first.
Just over a minute later Caven Williams scored from 1 yard out and Brayden Queen tacked on the PAT for a 21-6 lead with 5:02 left.
#4 Caven Williams runs through a huge hole with the help of #54 Derrick Rakes.
Brady Johnson went in from 10 yards out to cut the Bulldog lead to 21-12 with 11:01 left in the first half.
Caven Williams scampered in for a 24 yard touchdown and Queen kicked the PAT to make it 28-12 with 8:36 left in the half.
In the second half Kaden Johnson scored from 6 yards out and Queen made it 35-12 Dawgs at the 5:04 mark of the third quarter.
Kaden Johnson fights his way into the end zone against Shelby Valley.
Johnson connected with Clark Craft for a 55 yard touchdown and it was Lawrence Co. 35-18 with 3:00 left in the third quarter.
In the final period the Wildcats would make things interesting after Johnson had a 21 yard touchdown run and then hit Stamper for the 2 point conversion to make it 35-26. And then connected with Bryce Bentley for a 61 yard touchdown and Jonah Bartley for the 2 point conversion to make it 35-34 with 7:48 left in the game.
Kaden Johnson extended the Bulldog lead with a 9 yard touchdown run and Queen booted the PAT for a 42-34 lead with 4:53 to go.
#24 Charlie Fletcher and #57 Josh Spillman combine to stop the Wildcat ball carrier.
Kaden Johnson put the icing on the cake with a 6 yard score and Queen added the PAT to set the final score at 49-34.
Lawrence Co. had 411 yards on the ground and was led in rushing by Luke Fetherolf with 157 on 10 carries, Caven Williams 17 attempts for 150 yards, Kaden Johnson rushed 13 times for 104 yards.
Fetherolf was 9 of 15 passing for 77 yards and one interception on the night.
Lawrence Co. was led by Hayden Blagg with 2 catches for 29 yards, Kaden Johnson had 4 catches for 27 yards, Gray Derifield had 2 catches for 11 yards, Andrew Ratcliffe caught 1 ball for 10 yards.
Shelby Valley QB Brady Johnson was 14 of 27 for 320 yards and two interceptions.
Shelby Valley was led in receiving by Kolton Stamper had 6 catches for 92 yards Cody Sturgill 4 catches for 81 yards, Bryce Bentley 3 catches for 92 yards and Clark Craft 1 catch for 55 yards.
SVHS 6 6 6 16 – 34
LCHS 21 7 7 14 – 49
The Bulldogs will hit the road for the first time next Friday with a trip to Perry Co. Central ( 1-1 ).
Shelby Valley will play Martin Co. ( 1-1 ) next Friday night.
Lawrence Co. Head Coach Alan Short
COACH’S COMMENTS
“…Very proud of our team. I felt we were the most excited team to play and when difficult circumstances happened, we never got rattled. “
“…We knew Shelby Valley was an explosive team. Their Quarterback, Running Backs, and Wide Receivers were all very explosive. We will work this week to correct any blown coverages that showed tonight.”
“…I felt like Luke Fetherolf, Caven Williams, and Kaden Johnson all played outstanding. Our offensive line did a great job opening holes in the run game. With the flow of the game it was important we run the ball and keep the ball away from them.”
“…Very proud of our efforts. We were not perfect by any means but certainly pleased with our guys being 2-0. We will enjoy this one for 24 hours then turn our attention to Perry Central.”
