Disappointing Defeat

It was one of the toughest losses Lynn Camp coach David Mitchell has suffered while coaching the Wildcats over the last 27 years. “It was a really tough loss,” he said after the Wildcats loss to the Paintsville Tigers 28-27 in the second game of the KHSAA football playoffs.
The Wildcats (9-2) spotted the Tigers a 28-7 in the first half. But it was the Wildcats who dominated in the second half as Lynn Camp had a chance to win or tie the game in the final two minutes.
When sophomore Joe Roskopf scored with 1:36 left in the game, the Wildcats were one-point down. Freshman Jonah Mitchell, who had been three for three on extra points, saw his final kick of the night blocked. That proved to be the winning margin.
Mitchell said he briefly thought about going for the two-point conversion but with the momentum on the side of the Wildcats decided to go for the tie and send the game into overtime.
And, on Mitchell’s behalf it was probably the decision many coaches would have made on that play. Why, because the Wildcats had owned the Tigers in the second half stopping every Paintsville series. Lynn Camp out-gained the Tigers, 250 to 29 yards in the second half while scoring three touchdowns.
With senior Jimmy Chaffin limited to a small amount of playing time after a first quarter injury, the load was on the back of Roskopf and senior Josh Reynolds. Roskopf had 223 yards in the game with 176 coming in the second half.
It was a tale of two halves but it was Lynn Camp coming out on the short end. Paintsville led by quarterback Daniel Pugh had his way with the Wildcats in the first two quarters as he led the Tigers to a 28-7 lead. Pugh scored two touchdowns with his second being the TD of the night and the one that may have cost the Wildcats the game.
With five seconds left in the half and Lynn Camp down 21-7, Pugh took the final snap and ran all over the field before hitting the left sideline, breaking free for a touchdown with no time left on the clock. The Tigers added the extra point and went into the dressing room with a 28-7 lead.
Mitchell said he challenged his players at the half and they responded on the first drive but failed to punch the ball across the goal line. Lynn Camp took the opening drive at their own six yard line and drove the ball down to the Paintsville nine yard line. A fourth and seven passing attempt by senior quarterback Nick Scalf failed and the Wildcats had to turn the ball over to the Tigers.
But on the first play for Paintsville, the Tigers fumbled and Anthony Walters was there to recover for the Wildcats. Roskopf went two yards on the ensuing play for the touchdown. Mitchell added the PAT, cutting the lead in half, 28-14.
It was three for the Tigers as Lynn Camp took over at their own 26. The Wildcats were unable to get anything going and punted the ball. Again the Wildcats stopped the Tigers and took over at their 38 with 10:33 left in the game.
After an incomplete pass, Roskopf broke loose for a 40 yard run to the Tigers 22 yard line. Roskopf got the next two carries with the second going for a 14 yard touchdown with 9:10 in the game. Mitchell’s extra point pulled the Wildcats within seven points.
The charged up Lynn Camp defense held the Tigers to three plays and a punt to the 15 yard line. Backed up, the Wildcats pushed the ball to the 20 yard line on a Roskopf run. He carried to the 24 on the following play but was hit with a one-yard loss on third down. The Wildcats were faced with a fourth and two when Reynolds burst up the middle to keep the drive going for a three yard gain.
Scalf got loose for a nice 20 yard run on the following play then it was Roskopf and Reynolds doing the rest of the work along with Rodney Smith. Roskopf scored with 1:36 left in the game.
The Tigers weren’t able to run out the clock and Lynn Camp got the ball for one final play with two seconds remaining. A hail mary pass didn’t materialize as the Wildcats lost the game, ending a great run to the playoffs.
Mitchell felt his team had the upper hand coming into the game but didn’t dismiss the thought of Paintsville beating his Wildcats. “I thought everything would have to go for them and against us in order to lose this game and it did.” Mitchell said.

Paintsville 28, Lynn Camp 27
Lynn Camp 0 7 14 6- 27
Paintsville 14 14 0 0- 28
P- T.J. Freno, 10 pass from Daniel Pugh (Cox kick)
P- Pugh, 16 run (Cox kick)
LC- Josh Reynolds, 21 run (Mitchell kick)
P- Freno, 20 pass from Pugh (Cox kick)
P- Pugh, 64 run (Cox kick)
LC- Roskopf, 2 run (Mitchell kick)
LC- Roskopf, 1 run (Mitchell kick)
LC- Roskopf, 3 run (kick blocked)