Pikeville’s size and power running attack were the major concerned for Harlan County fifth- and sixth-grade coach Anthony Nolan going into a first-round state playoff game Saturday at Coal Miners Memorial Stadium.
After a couple of first-down runs by the visiting Panthers on the game’s opening drive, the Harlan County defense adjusted and eventually dominated on the way to a 38-6 win to improve to 11-0 on the season.
“We had prepared for it all week. We knew they had a good power game. We were letting them be the aggressor instead of beating them at the line of scrimmage,” Nolan said. “The second half was a totally different story, and we played like we were capable of doing.”
Linebacker Carson Clark led the Harlan County defense, making numerous plays in the Pikeville backfield.
“He’s aggressive. He made my ribs hurt on one of those hits today. He’s a great kid and plays hard,” Nolan said.
The Harlan County offense again featured dual threat quarterback Rayce Bryant, who ran for three touchdowns and passed for two as a variety of receivers made big plays,
“I think that’s what makes us a tough out. We have multiple people who can make plays and score,” Nolan said. “Rayce throws it well and we have several who can make catches. We run the ball well, and we did a much better job the second half of blocking. That’s what we talked about at halftime, especially out on the perimeter.”
Pikeville drove into HC territory on the opening drive before Braison Fox forced a fumble and Jase Wynn recovered on the Harlan County 26. Bryant broke free around the left side on a third-and-14 play and raced 78 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. Clark’s two-point conversion run pushed the lead to 8-0.
Harlan County recovered a fumble on the opening play of the second quarter but gave the ball back after going for it on a fourth-and-17 from the HC 17 as Bryant threw an incomplete pass. Pikeville faced its on fourth-down play and completed a pass to the Harlan County 2. Wyatt Morley scored on the next play, but the two-point conversion play failed.
Bryant completed passes to Weston Nolan and Brady White to start the second half, then went the final 32 yards on the ground as the lead grew to 14-6 with 6:28 left in the third quarter.
After the Bears recovered the kick, Bryant teamed with Wynn for a 28-yard touchdown pass. Bryant and Wynn also combined for the two-point conversion and a 22-6 lead.
Bryant teamed with Nolan for an 11-yard reception on the next HC drive, then broke free for a 34-yard touchdown with 1:24 left in the third quarter. Bryant threw to Nolan for the two-point conversion and a 30-6 lead.
A Deacon Lisenbee interception set up the final HC score. Lisenbee returned the ball 56 yards for a touchdown, but a penalty brought the ball back to the 35. Bryant ran 16 yards, then threw to Lisenbee for six yards and then Wynn for a 9-yard touchdown pass. White ran in the two-point conversion to close the scoring.
Harlan County (11-0) will play host to Betsy Layne next week on either Thursday or Saturday. Betsy Layne advanced with a 34-0 win Saturday over visiting Harlan. The Green Dragons ended their season at 11-1.
