Gallery • 3 Photos

Chris Jones

Harlan receiver Darius Akal battled his way deep into East Ridge territory during Friday's game. The Green Dragons rallied from an early 22-0 deficit to win 46-40.

One week after using a strong aerial attack to win easily at Jenkins, the Harlan Green Dragons went back to the ground on Friday against visiting East Ridge and found a way to fight back from an early 22-0 deficit to win 46-40.
Senior quarterback Cade Middleton led the comeback as he scored five touchdowns, including scoring runs of 16 and 1 in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 22-12 at halftime. Junior quarterback Dylan Burdine threw touchdown passes of 72 and 25 yards in the first quarter and added a 1-yard TD run to give the Warriors an early lead.
Burdine extended the East Ridge lead with a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Middleton answered with a 54-yard touchdown run, then added the two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 28-20. Jayden Ward pulled Harlan within two points when he scored on a 41-yard run to close the third quarter.
Both offenses had success in the fourth quarter, teaming for 32 points.
Middleton scored to give Harlan its first lead, then Burdine threw a touchdown pass to Brad Howell to go back ahead. Ward ran 15 yards to score for Harlan, then Burdine answered for East Ridge to put the Warriors up 40-38.
The winning drive started on the Harlan 45. On second down, Middleton connected with Will Austin for a 19-yard pass. Following another pass, this time to Evan Browning for 27, gave the Dragons the ball on the 7. On third down, Cade Middleton went in from the 5 while Ward added the two-point conversion.
“It was a great win for our program,” said Harlan coach Eric Perry. “I think we really grew tonight and came together as a family.”
The Green Dragons had 345 yards on the ground. Ward had 162 yards on 15 carries. Middleton gained 152 yards on 21 rushes.
“Jayden is such a hard-working kid who just wants to win. I will take 11 Jayden Wards on my squad any time,” said Perry
Middleton completed six of 14 passes for 70 yards.
“Cade was spectacular in his performance, which was not really that surprising because he is very capable of those kind of outings. He is a special athlete,” Perry said.
Burdine completed 15 of 24 passes for 296 yards. He rushed for 87 yards on 17 carries. The Warriors gained 138 yards on the ground.

Harlan (2-1) will play host to Middlesboro (4-0) on Friday. East Ridge (2-2) travels to Prestonsburg (2-2) on Friday.