Hopkins scores six touchdowns as Bears down Pike in shootout

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Chandra Howard

Harlan County running back Demarco Hopkins headed for one of his six touchdowns Friday at Pike Central as several offensive lineman celebrated behind him. The Bears gained over 400 yards rushing in a 60-38 win.

September 18, 2021

Harlan County sophomore Jonah Swanner picked up a big gain in Friday’s game at Pike Central. Swanner returned his second kickoff for a touchdown this season as the Bears won 60-38. (Chandra Howard)
HCHS 60, Pike Central 38

Harlan County 8 30 14 8 – 60
Pike Central 6 12 14 6 – 38
PC—Boykins 82 run (pass failed)
HC—Hopkins 14 run (Hopkins run)
HC—Hopkins 67 run (Hopkins run)
PC—Boykins 61 run (run failed)
HC—Swanner 68 kickoff return (Hopkins run)
PC—M. Anderson 50 run (run failed)
HC—Hopkins 52 run (run failed)
HC—Carr 64 run (Hopkins run)
PC—Bush 45 pass from Boykins (Boykins run)
HC—Hopkins 6 run (Carr run)
PC—M. Anderson 42 pass from Boykins (pass failed)
HC—Hopkins 1 run (run failed)
PC—Boykins 2 run (pass failed)
HC—Hopkins 6 run (Swanner pass from Rhymer)

HCHS PCHS
First downs 11 20
Rushes-Yds 37-433 48-417
Passing 0 87
Comp-Att-Int. 0-4-0 2-6-1
Fumbles 3-1 4-1
Penalties 4-30 2-15

RUSHING—Harlan County, Hopkins 24-245, Carr 11-181, Jordan 1-4, Sergent 1-3. Pike Central, Boykins 24-285, M. Anderson 17-121, C. Anderson 1-11, Perez 4-6, Rogers 2-(-6).
PASSING—Harlan County, Rhymer 0-4-0-0. Pike Central, Boykins 2-6-1-87.
RECEIVING—Pike Central, Bush 1-45, M. Anderson 1-42.

 

Harlan County broke out of a three-game losing streak in a big way Friday night, rolling up 433 yards on the ground in a 60-38 win at Pike Central.
Senior running backs Demarco Hopkins and Luke Carr each had big nights as Hopkins scored six touchdowns while running for 245 yards on 24 carries and Carr added 181 yards on 11 carries.
The HCHS defense continued to have trouble stopping big plays as Pike Central quarterback Tayvian Boykins ran for 285 yards on 24 carries, running for three touchdowns and passing for two. Junior running back Matt Anderson added 121 yards on the ground with two touchdowns.
Harlan County coach Amos McCreary said he expected the Bears would need a lot of production on offense to match the big-play ability of Pike Central.
“I think coach (Chad) Wood did a great job preparing our offense for this game,” he said. “We knew we had to have a big offensive game because of their big-play potential. Our kids played very hard. They were hungry for a victory, and I think we outlasted them.”
Boykins gave Pike an early lead with an 82-yard touchdown run, but Hopkins quickly answered with a 14-yard TD run, then added the two-point conversion to give the Bears an 8-6 lead after one quarter.
Hopkins and Boykins traded touchdowns again in the second quarter. Jonah Swanner went 68 yards on the kickoff after Boykins’ second touchdown, then Hopkins went in for the conversion as HCHS led 24-12.
Anderson scored for Pike to cut the deficit to 24-18, but Hopkins and Carr each scored touchdowns for the Bears as HCHS led 38-18 at halftime.
Hopkins scored three more times in the second half as HCHS pulled away even though Boykins threw for one touchdown and ran for another to lead the Hawks.
Harlan County (2-3) will open its district schedule on Friday at Clay County. Pike Central (1-4) will play at Floyd Central on Friday.