Louisa, Ky. — Senior Quarterback Luke Fetherolf set two school records as he led Lawrence Co. ( 10-1 ) to a 55-14 victory over McCreary Central ( 4-7 ) in the opening round of the Class 3A playoffs Friday night at Luke Varney Jr. Memorial Stadium.
Ty Brooks, Luke Fetherolf and Gray Derifield all played a huge part in the Dawgs victory Friday night.
After the Bulldogs forced a Raider punt Fetherolf connected with Gray Derifield for a 92 yard touchdown to set the record for most passing yards in school history and after a Brayden Queen PAT it was 7-0 Dawgs.
On the third play from scrimmage for the Dawgs Fetherolf connected with Kaden Johnson for a 30 yard TD but the PAT was blocked and the Dawgs led 13-0 with 5:48 to go in the first quarter.
On the third Bulldog drive Mitchell Frazier took a pitch and found a wide open Braxton Davis for a 17 yard touchdown and it was 19-0 with 2:52 left in the opening quarter.
After a turnover on downs early in the second quarter, Fetherolf broke the school record for touchdowns in a season with a 69 yarder to Derifield for his 26th of the year. Kaden Johnson added the two point conversion for a 27-0 lead.
The Raiders got on the scoreboard with a 70 yard touchdown run by Peyton Higginbotham and Logan Strunk booted the PAT to make it 27-7 with 10:37 left in the half.
The Dawgs added to the lead on a Fetherolf to Chicko 3 yard touchdown and Chicko also added the two point conversion for a 35-7 lead with 8:09 left in the first half.
Fetherolf made it 41-7 with a 9 yard touchdown with 3:20 left in the second quarter.
Right before the half Fetherolf found Johnson in the middle of the field and he did the rest for a 66 yard touchdown and Queen added the PAT for a 48-7 Bulldog lead.
On the first play of the second half Frazier hit Johnson for a short completion and Johnson weaved his way for a 65 yard touchdown and Queen tacked on the PAT for a 55-7 lead.
#5 Kaden Johnson on his way to the end zone in the first round of the playoffs.
McCreary Central set the final score late in the third quarter of 55-14 on a Treyvan Calhoun 8 yard touchdown run and Strunk extra point.
The Dawgs will host Rockcastle County ( 10-1 ) next Friday night in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs.
Bulldog Head Coach Alan Short
COACH’S COMMENTS
“…Proud of our kids and the effort that they gave tonight. Huge first play to get us going by Luke, Gray and our offensive line, it just speaks volumes to them and our whole team to come out ready to play and get the playoffs started the right way. We will enjoy this one for a little while and then turn our attention to next week against Rockcastle County.”
“ …I thought this team handled the delay just like we expected. They are built with grit and toughness and the rain didn’t affect us at all. Every opportunity that we have had this year we have practiced in the rain for situations like tonight. I felt confident in our abilities to execute and throw the ball even when it is wet.”
“ …Rockcastle Co. is an excellent football team with quality athletes all over the field. And they will come get after you. Play with a lot of guys in the box and get after you. It will be a challenge for us but I am confident we will be locked in and ready to play. It’s huge for us to be in a game of this magnitude.”
