Louisa, Ky. — Lawrence Co. ( 8-3 ) rolled to a 48-7 victory over Clay Co. ( 6-4 ) in the first round of the playoffs Friday at Luke Varney Jr. Memorial Stadium.
Luke Fetherolf looks down field against Clay Co. in the opening round of the playoffs.
On the Tigers opening possession they took a 7-0 lead on a 7-0 Trenton Reid 2 yard touchdown and a Joshua Haun extra point kick.
On the Bulldogs first possession Kaden Johnson took a screen pass from Luke Fetherolf and raced 68 yards for a touchdown and Brayden Queen tacked on the extra point and it was 7-7.
With Clay Co. driving in the second quarter in Bulldog territory Ty Brooks pounced on a fumble to stop the Tiger drive.
Fetherolf connected with Grey Derifield on a 15 yard touchdown to make it 13-7 Bulldogs.
Late in the first half Ty Brooks took the direct snap and went in from 2 yards out and Kaden Johnson added the two punt conversion for a 21-7 Bulldog lead.
On the last play of the first half Andrew Ratcliffe intercepted a pass and took it back 62 yards for a touchdown and Brooks added the two point conversion for a 29-7 Bulldog lead at Halftime.
After a Bulldog turnover on downs to start the third quarter Clay Co. was driving when Grey Derifield picked off a pass and took it down the sideline for a TD but a penalty brought it back to the 35 yard line. And two plays later Fetherolf found Carlo Chicko and hit pay dirt for a 23 yard touchdown and it was 35-7 Dawgs.
On the next Bulldog possession Fetherolf called his own number and scooted on for a 4 yard touchdown and Queen adds the PAT for a 42-7 lead in the third quarter and started the running clock for the rest of the game.
Late in the fourth quarter Mitchell Frazier had a 3 yard touchdown to set the final score of 48-7 Lawrence County.
The Dawgs will head to Log Mountain and face Bell Co. ( 10-1 ) in the second round of the playoffs next Friday night. The Bobcats beat Powell Co. 46-14 to advance to the second round.
Lawrence Co. Head Coach Alan Short
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… Very proud of our team, the effort and physicality has greatly improved over the last couple of weeks and tonight was a byproduct of what the kids have put in during practice and couldn’t be more proud.”
“… We challenge our kids to win the middle eight minutes every week, the last four of the first half and first four of the second half and I think we were able to accomplish that tonight and that kinda blew the game open so to speak. Hat tip to Andrew Ratcliffe for making a play right before half and then scoring early in the third quarter as well. Just so proud of our team and coaches as well.”
“… Obviously football season is a marathon and you want to play your best football toward the end of the season and the playoffs and I think we have been able to do that. Believe it or not we are getting better each week and again I’m very proud of our kids and coaches for the sacrifices they make.”
“… Luke Fetherolf is a special kid and a special talent and I hope he breaks every single record that we have. And he is right for our team and thrilled that he is with us and what he brings.”
“… I actually got to watch Bell Co. a little against Clay Co. and Clay Co. is a very talented football team and we expected a battle and that’s what we got for a while and we were fortunate to break the game open. Bell Co. is very physical, every team in that district will line up in a power I or wishbone and they will come down hill at you and that was good for us to see that tonight against Clay County.”
“… Bell Co. is a team that won’t beat them selves and obviously coached by a legend in Dudley Hilton, so we got our hands full but looking forward to the challenge.”
