DAWGS WIN 22-20 IN THRILLER PLAYOFF GAME…
Louisa, Ky. — For the second time this season Lawrence Co. ( 4-1 ) squeaked out a victory over Pike Co. Central ( 4-5 ), this time it was 22-20 in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs Thursday night at Luke Varney Jr. Memorial Stadium.
The Dawgs opened the scoring on the first play of the second quarter on a Dylan Ferguson 15 yard touchdown and he also added the two point conversion.
The Hawks tied it up on a 7 yard touchdown run from Matt Anderson and Tayvian Boykins tacked on the two point conversion.
Lawrence Co. went back in front with 4:24 to go in the first half on a Ferguson 1 yard touchdown run and two point conversion run.
Just under two minutes later Boykins went 45 yards untouched to make it 16-14 at Halftime.
Bulldog QB Alex Strickland padded the lead on a 46 yard touchdown with 3:03 left in the third quarter and Lawrence Co. led 22-14.
Late in the fourth quarter Keegan Bentley pulled the Hawks within 22-20 on an 11 yard touchdown run but Caden Ball and the Bulldog defense stuffed the two point try to preserve the lead with 2:15 left in the game.
Pike Co. Central recovered the onside kick to give them one more chance at victory right at midfield but Makai Strickland ended that hope with a fumble recovery with under one minute left in the ballgame to send the Bulldogs to the second round.
Lawrence Co. will face the winner of Belfry and Magoffin Co. next Friday night.
The Dawgs lost to Belfry 36-0 and beat the Hornets 39-0.
STATS BY JAMES ELLIS
Box Scores for Pike County Central @ Lawrence County
Lawrence Co. Head Coach Alan Short
COACH’S COMMENT
“… So proud of our team. Lots of young men stepped up tonight. Kids battled all night.”
“… Our guys have been pretty resilient all year. Tough bunch of guys we have in the locker room.”
