First-year Pike Central coach Scott Grizzle knew coming into Friday’s game at Harlan that his Hawks couldn’t give quarterback Baylor Varner time to throw the football.
Mission accomplished.
The Hawks hounded Varner through the opening three quarters, forcing three interceptions while also shutting down the Harlan ground game in the process. The Dragons were limited to 40 yards on the ground in the first three quarters as Pike Central coasted to a 34-8 victory.
“Our defensive line did a great job. Our coaching had them ready to go, and our linebackers put a lot of pressure on him. He’s a dandy little quarterback,” Grizzle said. “Our goal was to get as much pressure on him as we could and try to force him to make some bad throws.”
“We knew going into the game it was going to be hard to run the football, and that’s why we schemed to try to get the ball to the perimeter a little bit and give our guys a chance,” Harlan coach Brian Williams said after his first home game with the Dragons.
Williams admitted the pressure took a toll on Harlan.
The Dragons were without senior tight end/defensive end Hunter Clem, who missed the game due to disciplinary reasons, and sophomore center Landon Myers, who was ill.
“When you try to get the ball down the field, your protection has to hold up,” he said. “That’s a good football team. Our guys are growing and competing and trying. We have to try to keep moving forward.”
Harlan senior tailback Darius Akal, who ran for just under 1,000 yards last season, lined up as one of four Harlan receivers most of the night and had only one rush. Varner got the ball to Akal on several short passes, but he was not a factor in the offense.
“I believe we’ll try to what we do and get the ball in our playmakers’ hands,” Williams said when asked about whether he’d consider moving Akal back to tailback.
“It was a great effort on defense. Our guys are physical and run to the ball,” Grizzle said. “Our defensive coaches do a good job getting them ready, and I’m lucky to have them with me.”
Sedrick Washington took over as the Dragons’ primary ball carrier and was limited to 40 yards on 13 carries. Jonah Sharp ran for 55 yards on five carries in the fourth quarter and scored the Dragons’ only touchdown with 3:10 to play. Varner added a two-point conversion.
Pike Central sophomore quarterback Jamere Knuckles had touchdown runs of 18 and 2 yards in the second quarter after a scoreless opening period. The Hawks led 12-0 at halftime after limiting Harlan to 14 yards rushing on 11 carries. Knuckles ran for 74 yards and passed for 94 to lead the Pike offense.
“He’s a big boy and runs well. He’s just now learning the offense, but we think he has a high ceiling,” Grizzle said.
Tyler Thompson had a 43-yard touchdown run in the third quarter as the lead grew to 20-0 after a two-point conversion run by Malachi Anderson. The Hawks needed only three plays to cover 61 yards to open the second half.
Corbin Humphries went in from the 1 on the first play of the fourth quarter. Jonah Hicks hit the extra point for a 27-0 lead.
Keonatae Jeffries ran 41 yards to set up a 7-yard TD run by Lukas Varney with 4:54 to play. Hicks added the extra point.
Harlan (1-2) will play at Leslie County on Friday. Pike Central (2-1) plays host to Powell County on Friday.