Harlan County’s new fifth-grade team led late in the game Saturday at Fleming-Neon, but the fifth- and sixth-grade Pirates scored with 36 seconds left to edge the visiting Black Bears 16-14.
Trey Creech led the HC offense with touchdown runs of 50 and 65 yards, in addition to completing five of seven passes for 105 yards. Blake Johnson had three catches for 65 yards, and Rayce Bryant added two receptions for 40 yards. Kash Gooden scored on a two-point conversion.
Brantley Burkhart led the defense with nine tackles, followed by Gunner Zunda with seven tackles and two sacks. Gooden had six tackles.
The Bears will play their first home Thursday at 7 p.m. against Fleming-Neon.