Irvine, Ky. — In their first District 8 game of the year Lawrence Co. ( 4-1 ) held on for a 19-18 victory over Estill Co. ( 3-3 ) Saturday night at Hoover Niece Field.
51 Ty Brooks celebrates after the Dawgs stop the Engineers.
The Engineers scored with 23 seconds left in the game and decided to go for two and the lead but Ty Brooks and company stopped the conversion and Colton McDowell recovered the onside kick to preserve the Bulldog victory.
The Bulldogs stopped the Engineers inside the five yard line after a long drive to start the game that chewed up over 10 minutes of the first quarter clock. After a penalty pushed them back inside the two yard line the Dawgs drove the length of the field and Connor York found the end zone from 6 yards out and Brayden Queen added the PAT with 11:18 left on the first half.
#12 Connor York was the leading rusher for the Dawgs Saturday night.
Brady Mainous put Estill Co. on the board with a 3 yard QB keeper but a bad snap on the PAT attempt left the score 7-6 Bulldogs with 6:48 left in the first half.
Jax Niece gave Estill Co. a 12-7 lead on a 1 yard plunge with 1:39 left in the first half.
Early in the third quarter Luke Fetherolf connected with Andrew Ratcliffe down the middle of the field for a 15 yard touchdown and the Dawgs led 13-12.
Andrew Ratcliffe makes a nice adjustment on the football before finding his way into the end zone.
Late in the third period Lawrence Co. extended their led when Fetherolf found Carlo Chicko for a 12 yard touchdown and the Dawgs led 19-12.
Fetherolf was 10 of 16 for 142 yards 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. He also rushed for 63 yard on 7 attempts.
Gray Derifield caught 3 passes for 57 yards, Andrew Ratcliffe hauled in 2 passes for 53 yards and a TD, Carlo Chicko had 4 receptions for 26 yards and score, Braxton Davis had 1 catch for 6 yards.
Connor York was the leading rusher with 74 yards on 12 carries and 1 touchdown. Chandler Preece carried 1 time for 5 yards.
#2 Luke Fetherolf hits the hole for the nice gain Saturday.
The Bulldogs will return home next Friday night against Belfry ( 4-2 ) in another District matchup. The Pirates defeated Magoffin Co. 41-0 in their first District game Saturday.
All photos by Angie Collins
Lawrence Co. Head Coach Alan Short
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… Very proud of our team and their never quit mindset. Lots of adversity in the game and they were not affected by it. They just continued to play the next play.”
“… It is good to be 1-0 on the district. Hard fought ballgame from both sides. Hats off to Coach Moore and Estill County, they had a great plan against us. It is awesome to watch our team grow each week. Seems like somebody different steps up each week.”
“… Friday and Saturday I was very pleased with our guys and their level of focus, it isn’t very often that a football game is postponed due to weather. Mrs. Webb and our district administration made the right call in postponing our game until Saturday night.”
“… Great to get off to a 1-0 start in the district. We will enjoy this one for a day then move on to Belfry. Obviously an opponent that we know well having been in a district with them since 2011. They will be physical and well coached. Our guys look forward to the challenge.”
