With a balanced offensive attack and a solid defensive effort, the Harlan County Black Bears knocked off Knox Central 14-6 on Friday in a scrimmage at Coal Miners Memorial Stadium.
Senior quarterback Ethan Rhymer had a good night for the Bears with standout running back Thomas Jordan sidelined by an injury. Rhymer found receivers Jonah Swanner and Luke Kelly for catches while several running backs contributed.
Rhymer found Swanner on the scrimmage’s second play for a 40-yard touchdown to give the Bears an early 6-0 lead.
Another Swanner catch helped set up the second touchdown of the night as Dallas Sergent and Bryan Howard had runs to set up Howard’s 5-yard TD run 11:22 left in the second quarter. Swanner worked his way into the end zone for the two-point conversion and a 14-0 lead.
Knox Central receiver Jacob Smith broke several tackles after a short catch before breaking free for a 72-yard touchdown to put the Panthers on the board.
A 25-yard pass from Rhymer to Kelly was wiped out by a holding penalty midway through the second quarter, then Smith ended the threat with an interception.
Knox Central threatened late in the half, driving into HCHS territory before senior linebacker Darren Alred broke through to force a fumble that lineman Bradley Henson recovered.
Jayce Brown and Shemar Carr led the HCHS ground attack in the second half as both teams went to their reserves.
Bo Eldridge ended a Knox threat with an interception as neither team scored after halftime.