The Southwestern Warriors have finally begun to look like their usual selves after falling in their first two contests, as they have won three straight heading into their second district clash of the season against the winless Harlan County Black Bears.
The Warriors were expected to win this one running away and after just one half of football at the Reservation the outcome of the game was academic, as Southwestern cruised to a 49-12 victory over the now 0-6 Black Bears.
Southwestern opened up the scoring in the first quarter with a 2-yard touchdown rush by Braxton Walters. A PAT later from Jayce Gager and the Warriors held a quick 7-0 lead. The scoring didn’t stop there for the home team in the first period of action either as Christian Walden got in on the fun with a 1-yard rush for touchdown number two of the night for the Warriors, as they now led 14-0 after one quarter of action and little offense so far from their opponents.
Walden wouldn’t be denied his second score of the night in the second quarter as he had a huge rush from 54 yards out that further pushed the Southwestern lead to 21-0 after a third successful PAT from Gager. The scoring still wasn’t done in the half, however, as Walden grabbed a third touchdown for the game on a punt return that saw him score from 49 yards out, making it 28-0.
Harlan County finally broke its drought on the scoreboard on a 45-yard touchdown completion from Ethan Rhymer to Carter Howard to make the score 28-6. Southwestern was able to add one more score before the break as Kaedan Flores caught a 7-yard strike from quarterback Collin Burton to increase the Warriors’ lead to 35-6 heading into the locker room.
Southwestern added to the Black Bears’ misery in the third quarter as Braxton Walters joined in on the scoring jamboree for the home team with a 53-yard touchdown rush that pushed the game to the brink of a running clock at 42-6.
Harlan had one more score in the fourth quarter, as Luke Kelly managed to completely flip the field on a 99 yard interception return for a touchdown on an errant pass from Southwestern backup quarterback Zach Benedict that made the score 42-12. Southwestern too managed one more score in the fourth quarter, as Owen Campbell returned a kickoff 71 yards for the final score of the ball game. It was the Warriors’ time to celebrate as they brought their district record to 2-0 for the season and took control of first place in the district as they defeated Harlan County by a final score of 49-12.
Rhymer went five for 12 for 72 yards with one touchdown against one interception for the Black Bears. Bryan Howard was the leading rusher with 26 yards on 13 rushes, with Carter Howard the leading receiver with his one catch for 45 yards and the touchdown.
Burton went eight of 10 with 114 yards with a touchdown against no interceptions. Walden was the leading rusher with 62 yards and two touchdowns, while Walters also had two touchdowns to go along with 59 yards. Campbell and Caden Cunnagin were tied with 33 yards receiving. Gager went seven of seven on extra points.
Southwestern improved to 4-2 for the year and will host a tough Franklin County team out of Class 4A next Friday at the Reservation. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Harlan County will play at South Laurel on Friday.