After a 42-0 loss last week at home against Wayne County, Harlan County coach Eddie Creech was determined to rediscover the physical style that has defined the program over its first 12 years.
The changes worked as Harlan County started a running clock in the third quarter, building a 42-point lead on the way to a 56-33 win over visiting Clay County.
“We wanted to see a different energy this week. That was our goal, get back to playing Harlan County football. I feel having such physical practices this past week helped,” Creech said. “I was impressed with the way our kids responded to adversity. Now, we must build on that momentum and knock some more heads again this week in practice.”
The Bears found success with a spread offense that led to production on the ground and through the air. Senior tailback Demarco Hopkins rushed for 129 yards and scored four touchdowns. Senior receiver/running back Josh Swanner had his best high school game with four catches for 98 yards, including three touchdowns. Senior quarterback Cody Clayborn passed for 169 yards and three touchdowns.
Harlan County opened the scoring on a 14-play, 55 yard drive as Hopkins went in from the 1 with 7:38 left in the opening quarter.
The Black Bears came back three minutes later as Hopkins scored on a 20-yard run. Clayborn found Tyler Flanary for the two-point conversion as HC led 14-0.
The Tigers got on the board at the 2:34 mark of the first quarter as Rice connected with Connor Farmer for a 24-yard TD pass.
On Harlan County’s next play, Hopkins raced 57 yards for the score. Josh Turner added the two-point conversion as the lead grew to 22-6.
An eight-play, 71-yard drive was capped by a Rice to Farmer touchdown for 33 yards, but the Tigers trailed 22-12 after one period.
The Black Bears used a 21-0 second-quarter outburst to put the game out of reach.
Clayborn found Swanner for a 42-yard TD with 7:03 remaining in the first half. Jordan Steele added the extra point.
Hopkins capped a 10-play-56-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown run as the Bears led 35-12.
Harlan County closed the half as Rice was intercepted by Turner. The senior linebacker raced 85 yards for the score. His two-point conversion made it 43-12 at halftime.
Rice threw his second interception on the first play of the second half as the Bears took over on the Clay 48-yard line.
Four plays later, Swanner caught a 35-yard TD pass from Clayborn at the 10:53 mark to make it 49-12.
With a running clock the rest of the game, Flanary took a punt return for 57 yards to the Clay 9. On the next play, Swanner scored his third touchdown on a pass from Clayborn. Steele’s kick made it 56-12.
The Tigers added three touchdowns passes beginning with a 65-yarder from Rice to Raven Abner. A 65-yard pass to Brady Wolfe and a two-point conversion from Rice to Ben Meadows made it 56-26. Clay’s final score came with two seconds left as Farmer had a 2-yard reception. Farmer added the extra point.
Harlan County (1-2 overall, 1-0 district) returns to action Friday at Letcher Central (3-0, 1-0). The Cougars claimed a 20-7 win over Perry Central on Friday.
The 56 points scored was the most by the Bears since a 56-28 win over Letcher Central last season.
Clay County (2-1, 0-1) plays host to Johnson Central (2-0, 0-0) on Friday. The Golden Eagles defeated Simon Kenton 47-17.

Harlan County 56, Clay County 33
Clay County 12 0 6 15 – 33
Harlan County 22 21 13 0 – 56
HC—Hopkins 1 run (run failed)
HC—Hopkins 20 run (Flanary pass from Clayborn)
CC—Farmer 24 pass from Rice (kick failed)
HC—Hopkins 57 run (Turner run)
CC—Farmer 33 pass from Rice (pass failed)
HC—Swanner 42 pass from Clayborn (Steele kick)
HC—Hopkins 17 run (pass failed)
HC—Turner 85 interception return (Turner run)
HC—Swanner 35 pass from Clayborn (kick failed)
HC—Swanner 9 pass from Clayborn (Steele kick)
CC—Abner 65 pass from Rice (pass failed)
CC—Wolfe 65 pass from Rice (Meadows pass from Rice)
CC—Farmer 2 pass from Rice (Farmer kick)