Harlan County split a pair of middle school football games Tuesday against visiting Clay County, winning 28-0 in the seventh-grade game while falling 36-6 in eighth-grade action.
Jayce Brown scored two touchdowns to lead the Bears in the program’s first seventh-grade game. Brown had runs of 65 and 70 yards in the second half to close out the scoring.
Jake Brewer gave the Bears the early lead with a 12-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter. Ryan Coots added the two-point conversion.
Sedrick Washington scored on a 5-yard run in the second quarter as the lead stood at 14-0 at halftime.
Brewer teamed with Isaiah Cornett for a two-point conversion after Brown’s first touchdown.
Harlan County stayed close for a half in the eighth-grade game, trailing 8-6 at the break.
Luke Kelly and Jason Fultz each picked up first downs in the Bears’ scoring drive. Connor Daniels went in from the 6 on fourth down for the Harlan County touchdown. Fultz was stopped on the two-point conversion attempt.
Daniels teamed with Landon McLain for a 35-yard gain later in the half but the Tigers held with an interception.
Brayden Smith and Shemarr Carr each had tackles late in the half to stop a Clay drive.
Clay had two touchdowns in the third quarter and two more in the fourth to put the game away.
The seventh-grade team returns to action Thursday at home against Knox Central at 7 p.m. New Harlan will play Cumberland at 6 p.m. in fifth- and sixth-grade action. The eighth-grade team travels to Corbin on Sept. 29.
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Harlan fell 42-14 at Letcher Central on Tuesday in seventh- and eighth-grade football.
The Dragons got off to a strong start as Jackson Luttrell teamed with Nate Montanaro for a touchdown. Gage Bailey added the two-point conversion.
Montanaro also scored on a kickoff return later in the game.
Harlan (0-2) plays at Lynn Camp on Thursday.