Whitesburg, Ky. — In a super high scoring affair Friday night Lawrence Co. outlasted Letcher Co. Central 57-47 in the Class 3A District opener for both teams.
Kaden Johnson and Luke Fetherolf both had big games in the road win over Letcher Central.
After missing last week’s game Kaden Johnson opened the scoring with a 5 yard touchdown and Brayden Queen booted the PAT for a 7-0 lead with 4:52 left in the first quarter.
Then Gunner Holbrook to Thayden Brown for a 25 yard touchdown and Emma Adams booted the extra point to knot the score at 7-7 with 2:49 left in the first quarter.
After a nifty run by Johnson to the one yard line Luke Fetherolf finished of the drive and Queen added the extra point and it was 14-7 Dawgs with :36 seconds left in the first half.
On the first play of the second quarter Holbrook connected with Mason Stephens on a 35 yard touchdown and Adams made it 14-14 with the extra point.
Luke Fetherolf hit Gray Derifield in stride for a 45 yard touchdown and Queen knocked in the PAT for a 21-15 Bulldog lead with 9:39 left in the first half.
Holbrook with a QB sneak from the 1 yard line and Adams tied it up at 21-21 with the extra point.
The Dawgs broke the tie when Fetherolf connected with Derifield for a 22 yard touchdown and Queen remained perfect on PAT’s and it was 28-21 with 4:17 left in the first half.
Johnson weaved his way to the end zone for a 58 yard touchdown and Queen added the PAT and it was 35-21 with 1:57 left in the first half.
The Cougars made it 35-28 after a 2 yard touchdown by Brett Sturgill and Adams booted the extra point right before halftime.
On the opening drive of the second half it only took the Dawgs a minute and four seconds to score when Carlo Chicko went in from 2 yards out and Queen added the point after and it was 42-28 Bulldogs.
Letcher Central made it 42-35 on a 52 yard tip drill touchdown from Holbrook to Stephens and Adams added the extra point with 5:09 left in the third period.
Early in the fourth quarter Garrett Howard went 50 yards for a touchdown but the extra point was missed and the score was 42-41 Bulldogs.
Cavin Williams extended the Bulldog lead on a 3 yard touchdown and Fetherolf tacked on the two point conversion to make it 50-41 with 6:58 left in the game.
Holbrook connected with Stephens once again this time from 30 yards out to make it 50-47 with 4:16 left in the contest.
Williams put the game away with a 51 yard touchdown and Queen set the final score of 57-47 with the extra point.
Lawrence Co. ( 4-1 ) will return home to host Mason Co. ( 2-3 ) next Friday night.
Letcher Co. Central ( 3-3 ) will travel to Estill Co. ( 3-2 ) for another District matchup.
Bulldog Head Coach Alan Short
COACH’S COMMENTS
“…Obviously, very proud of our team in regards to the victory tonight. Our guys showed a lot of grit and toughness in grinding out this victory. We had several kids step up tonight. This is a big win for our football program and we feel like it puts us in the drivers seat in the district race.”
“… Very proud of our offensive staff and team. After last week, our guys came in and went to work. What took place tonight is a direct reflection of the week that we had of practice. Anytime you have three backs each go over a hundred yards, it is a really good offensive game. I felt like Cavin Williams really stepped up tonight and is coming into mid season form. Obviously having Kaden Johnson back on field helps our cause as well. I thought Luke Fetherolf looked explosive in the run game tonight as well.”
“ A lot of people will look at the score and think we played very poorly on defense. Although at times we were not perfect, I’m still very proud of our efforts. Believe it or not for the most part we felt like we played solid defense with the exception of 5 to 7 plays. We will get our coverage issues on the back end worked out this week.”
“Like always, we will enjoy this one until Sunday, then it is on to Mason County. I don’t know a great deal about Mason yet, but I know they have a bunch of kids back from a year ago.”
