First-year North Laurel coach Steven Nelson won’t soon forget his first win as his Jaguars opened the 2024 campaign by doing what few teams do — leave Dudley Hilton Field on Log Mountain with a victory.
The Jaguars overcame Bell’s strong ground game with an effective passing attack led by senior quarterback Hunter Morgan to claim a 24-22 victory.
After a 44-yard field goal by Cam Anderson (who hit 33 of 36 extra points last year) gave the Jaguars a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter, Morgan directed a scoring drive late in the first half after Bell had taken an 8-3 lead, then another in the fourth period to build an eight-point advantage.
Bell had a chance to tie in the final minute after Kaleb Miller went in from the 1 to cap a drive that featured a couple of North penalties, including pass interference. Blake Burnett’s pass to tie the game was intercepted by Cooper Robinson
North was able to run out the clock after Jude McWhorter took the snap on first down and ran 65 yards to the Bell 10 before being stopped by Blake Burnett. Morgan took a knee twice from that point to run out the clock.
Bell picked up five first downs on two first-quarter drives that both resulted in no points. The Bobcats reached the end zone after Anderson’s field goal, driving 69 yards in 13 plays. Miller’s power running picked up most of the yardage, including a 1-yard TD run. Burnett went in for two points and an 8-3 lead.
Morgan found McWhorter and Carter Kelley for big gains in a quick 63-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard TD run by McWhorter with 1.9 seconds left. Anderson’s extra point put the Jaguars up 10-8 at the break.
North marched 76 yards to open the second half, highlighted by two more Morgan to McWhorter passes. McWhorter went the final 2 yards with 7:30 left in the third quarter. Anderson’s extra point pushed the lead to 17-8.
Burnett gave the Bobcats a chance when he caught the North defense off guard with a fake handoff to Miller before racing 63 yards around left end for a touchdown. Miller’s two-point conversion cut the deficit to 17-16.
Morgan pushed the lead to seven when he found Kelley over the top for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Anderson’s extra point made the score 24-16.
North Laurel plays host to Whitley County on Friday. Bell County will be at home against Boyd County.
