Harlan County had its share of great running back tandems in the early years of the program, going back to the Marcus McMillian-Jake Middleton era that produced over 8,000 yards of rushing between the two and a pair of 5A regional championships.
Black Bear middle school eighth graders Hudson Faulkner and Caysen Farley have a long way to go to match that kind of production on the high school level, but they are putting on quite a show this fall in leading the Bears to an 11-0 start including a 30-8 win over visiting Perry Central on Saturday in the first round of the Division I state playoffs.
“Hudson and Caysen are grown men mentally and physically. They are flat out dogs and play so fast and aggressive,” Harlan County coach Eddie Creech said.
Perry took an early lead, driving 51 yards after recovering an onside kick to start the game. Zeke Holbrook broke free around the left side for a 15-yard TD run on a fourth-and-seven play. Grayson Hall added the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.
Harlan County needed only three plays and less than a minute to answer. Farley opened with a 21-yard run, then Faulkner went 10 yards and then 12 for a touchdown. Farley’s two-point conversion tied the game at 8-8.
Lineman Ryder Ecker recovered a blocked punt on the Perry 20 to start a two-play scoring drive. Farley went 13 yards and Faulkner the final seven for a 14-8 lead with 5:05 to play in the second half.
The Harlan County defense set up the next score as safety Brantley Burkhart recovered a fumble on the Perry 39. Faulkner and Farley took turns again in a four-play drive capped by Faulkner’s 4-yard run with 58.8 seconds left in the half, Farley basically walked into the end zone on the two-point conversion as a reverse caught the Perry defense off guard and out of position.
Harlan County’s defense dominated the third quarter as linebacker Leland Cope made a stop on third down on Perry’s opening drive, then linemen Carson Sanders, Ecker and Jaxon Short combined for a tackle on fourth down.
The Bears were unable to finish a drive in the third quarter with a fumble and an interception on consecutive plays, but needed only one play in the fourth quarter after stopping Perry on fourth down at the 10, Farley scored on the next play, then Faulkner added the conversion to close the scoring with 6:45 to play.
“We had some mental mistakes early with just some alignment stuff. We cleaned that up starting the second drive and they never saw the end zone again. Our defense has been solid all year,” Creech said. “I am tickled to death for these boys. Both teams have had an unbelievable year.”
Harlan County will travel to North Laurel next week in the regional semifinals.
