CORBIN — Looking for their first winning season this decade, the Harlan County Black Bears couldn’t have started the 2025 campaign much better than they did in a 21-0 victory Saturday over Clay County in the Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic.
The Bears moved the ball effectively on the ground and through the air and posted their first shutout since a 40-0 win over Pulaski County in the 2017 5A state playoffs.
“Our defense has played well, through this game and two scrimmages. They are taking pride in being physical,” Harlan County coach Jacob Saylor said. “I’m proud of them. The defensive coaches did an excellent job.”
Harlan County had a couple of scoring drives that ended with Brayden Morris touchdown passes as the sophomore signal caller completed six of seven passes for 66 yards. Morris also led the Bears in rushing with 60 yards.
“Brayden threw the ball well tonight,” Saylor said. “We want to throw more than that. We’d like to throw 15 times a game.”
Harlan County came up empty on a couple of other long drives, an area that Saylor said must improve.
“I’m a little frustrated that we didn’t finish some drives,” he said. “That could get us beat down the road. We have to learn to finish. Any time we get inside the 20, we have to score, but I like how our kids continue to pound and grind and stay on blocks. Our backs ran hard. That’s a big and physical defense we played. I’m proud of our kids.”
Each team had one possession in a fast-moving first quarter.
Clay County picked up one first down before the HCHS defense made a stop on fourth-and-two at the Harlan County 40.
Morris, Sharp and Morris each picked up first downs, but the drive was stopped on the Clay 4 on a fourth-down play. Bailey dropped a potential touchdown pass early in the drive.
Clay picked up four first downs on its first drive in the second quarter, including a 24-yard catch by senior tight end Aiden Wagers. Junior lineman Zach Musick stepped the drive when he sacked Keeston Lyttle on a third-down play.
The Bears marched 64 yards in 13 plays, capped by an 8-yard pass over the middle from Morris to senior tight end Gage Burkhart. Austin Tye hit the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
“Gunner has come a long way,” said Saylor, who noted in the preseason that Burkhart could be a big addition after he sat out last year to concentrate on baseball.
Bailey’s interception closed the first half after a questionable pass interference penalty gave Clay a first down near midfield in the closing seconds.
The Bears drove 62 yards in 11 plays to open the second half. Morris and Bailey each picked up first downs as the Bears got to the Clay 15 before the drive appeared to stall. Morris had to go out for a play after taking a hard hit from Clay lineman Aiden Wagers. In all the confusion of Morris trying to get back into the game but the officials ruling he had to sit out a play, the Bears may have received an extra down. Morris returned on what appeared to be fifth down to find Bailey in the end zone. The senior receiver went up for a 23-yard TD with 5:30 left in the third quarter. Tye’s extra point pushed the lead to 14-0.
The Tigers drove into HC territory before the Bears’ defense made the stop on a fourth-and-one play.
Harlan County made another stop in the fourth quarter, then junior safety Colby Shepherd stepped in front of a Jayden Woods pass and took it back 40 yards for the game-clinching touchdown with 1:55 to play. Tye’s extra point closed the scoring.
“Two guys (Brady Freeman and Bailey) were playing both ways tonight, and that showed,” Saylor said. “We were in better shape.”
While he was happy with the win, Saylor noted that the Bears also opened last season with a victory over Middlesboro before closing the season with nine losses.
“Our goal is to finish,” Saylor said. “We also won the first one last year. We have to take the next step with this program. Our kids are trying to learn to win. I think tonight was a big step.”
Harlan County (1-0) will play host to Eminence on Friday.