Harlan County rolled to a pair of shutouts Tuesday over Fleming-Neon in the Bill Ellis Memorial Bowl at Coal Miners Memorial Stadium, winning 16-0 in fifth- and sixth-grade action and 30-0 in the seventh- and eighth-grade game.
Quarterback Rayce Bryant got the Bears off to a fast start in the opener as he broke free down the right sideline on a fourth-and-two play for a 58-yard touchdown run. Bryant teamed with Maddox Landa for the two-point conversion.
The Harlan County defense recorded several big plays to preserve the lead, first with a tackle by Carson Clark on a third-down play to end the opening quarter. Braison Fox had a sack on a fourth-down play early in the second period.
The Bears scored again in the final minute of the half on an unlikely play. Bryant found Weston Nolan with a pass near the HC goal line, then the speedy Harlan County receiver raced down the sideline for a 95-yard touchdown play. Bryant went in for the two-point conversion for a 16-0 lead.
Deacon Lisenbee ended the half with an interception.
Jace Wynn had a long run for HC in the third quarter before the drive stalled.
Trey Creech threw for two touchdown passes in the seventh- and eighth-grade game, beginning with a crossing route pass to Caysen Farley that turned into a 59-yard touchdown on the first play. Hudson Faulkner went in for the two-point conversion and an 8-0 lead.
Faulkner, who finished with 103 yards on three carries, scored on a 71-yard run on the Bears’ second possession. Creech teamed with Blake Johnson for the two-point conversion and a 16-0 lead with 3:24 to play in the first quarter.
Creech, who completed three of four passes for 101 yards, found Kaydon Gray for a 28-yard TD pass in the second quarter. Faulkner added the two-point conversion.
Billy Harrison closed the scoring with a 69-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Both Harlan County teams improved to 5-0 and both return to action Tuesday against Clay County in a doubleheader set for the former Evarts High School field. Two Evarts football legends – Scotty Russell and Perky Bryant — will be honored.
