CORBIN — Harlan County erased a halftime deficit with two third-quarter touchdowns and held off Clay County for a 27-20 victory in Week 1 action Friday.
The Black Bears (1-0) struck first when Brayden Morris scored on an 11-yard run with 5:57 remaining in the opening quarter. The extra point was no good, leaving Harlan County with a 6-0 lead.
Clay County quickly answered. The Tigers (0-1) took a 7-6 lead on a 47-yard touchdown pass from Roberts to Alevras with 4:07 remaining in the first quarter.
Just 19 seconds later, Weston Bowling broke loose for a 28-yard touchdown run. The extra point extended Clay County’s advantage to 14-6 at the end of the first quarter.
Morris brought Harlan County back within two with a six-yard touchdown run at the 8:18 mark of the second quarter. The Black Bears were unable to convert the two-point attempt, allowing Clay County to take a 14-12 lead into halftime.
Harlan County took control in the third quarter.
Kayden Adams raced 40 yards for a touchdown with 9:59 remaining in the period. The Black Bears converted the two-point attempt to grab a 20-14 advantage.
Colby Sheppard added a 23-yard touchdown run with 5:28 remaining, and the extra point pushed Harlan County’s lead to 27-14.
Clay County responded when Bowling scored his second touchdown of the night, this time on a 19-yard run with 3:02 remaining in the third quarter. The extra point was no good, cutting Harlan County’s lead to 27-20.
Neither team scored in the fourth quarter as the Black Bears protected their seven-point advantage to secure the 27-20 victory.
