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<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"LONDON \u2014 The tide looks to be turning in Laurel County. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Laurel entered Friday\u2019s matchup with crosstown rival South Laurel as heavy favorites, but the much-improved Cardinals had something to say about that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After allowing 49 points last week to Pulaski County, John Hines\u2019 squad turned in its best defensive effort of the season, limiting the Jaguars (2-4) to only one score during South Laurel\u2019s 24-7 win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are very proud of our Cardinals,\u201d Hines said. \u201cThis was a big win for our program. It\u2019s a big win for our town for our school, for our community, for all of our student body and everybody that\u2019s a South Laurel fan, this was a big win for the Cardinals. I think we grew up some tonight as a football team. We\u2019re understanding what our standard of play has to be each time we take the field. We played with grade intensity on defense offense and special teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis was especially a big win for our seniors. For those guys to close out their football career at South Laurel finally getting a win over the rival is a really big deal to them,\u201d he added. \u201c It\u2019s also a big deal to some of our coaches. We have a couple of coaches that played at North Laurel, and another coach that coach at North Laurel. So it was really sweet for those guys as well. More important than anything, this is a beginning to the second half of our season. We\u2019ve got to build on this and continue to work to get better and see how far we can go.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Laurel held a slim 7-3 advantage until the 5:59 mark and that\u2019s when the Cardinals took over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mika Smith scored on a one-yard touchdown run to give his team a 10-7 lead, and what followed will be remembered for a long time by Cardinal fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On North Laurel\u2019s ensuing possession, Noah Smith intercepted the ball and raced to the end zone to give South Laurel a 17-7 lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Freshman Zack Thomas sealed the win a couple<\/p>\n\n\n\n
of plays later with the Cardinals\u2019 second pick six to wrap-up the 24-7 win for Hines\u2019 squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Laurel\u2019s lone touchdown came with 4:10 remaining in the first half by Jude McWhorter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n