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<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NICHOLASVILLE \u2014 North Laurel came within 35 seconds of forcing overtime against unbeaten West Jessamine on Friday, but a late touchdown by Caleb Jones ended the Jaguars\u2019 season in heartbreaking fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the game tied at 17, Jones scored on a 4-yard touchdown run with just 35 seconds remaining, lifting the Colts to a 24-17 victory in the second round of the KHSAA Class 5A State Football Playoffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The win improved West Jessamine to 12-0 while North Laurel finished its season at 6-6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Jaguars gave the unbeaten Colts everything they could handle, building an 11-point lead during the second quarter before West Jessamine rallied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Laurel quarterback Jude McWhorter scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, while Brian Nantz added a 12-yard scoring run to help the Jaguars build a 14-3 advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what appeared to be a commanding halftime lead quickly disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With just 11 seconds remaining in the second quarter, West Jessamine intercepted a pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown, cutting North Laurel\u2019s lead to 14-10 heading into halftime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Jaguars responded in the third quarter when Cam Anderson connected on a 43-yard field goal, extending North Laurel\u2019s advantage to 17-10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
West Jessamine eventually pulled even at 17 with Jones also contributing an 11-yard touchdown run during the contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That set the stage for a dramatic finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the game still tied in the final minute, Jones found the end zone from 4 yards out, giving the Colts their first lead of the second half and ultimately extending their unbeaten season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For North Laurel coach Steven Nelson, the defeat was difficult to accept after watching his team battle one of Class 5A\u2019s remaining undefeated programs until the closing seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n