COLONELS FALL

 “We killed ourselves,” said Whitley County Coach Jim Black after his team’s loss to the Clay County Tigers. “We can not dig holes.”

Black was referring to a 22-7 deficit his team faced in the second quarter in a 28-22 loss to the district-leading Tigers.

But, he had to be somewhat pleased in his team’s second half rally that saw the Colonels come back and tie the Tigers, 22-22 with just over 11 minutes left in the game.

However, the Tigers answered with a game-winning touchdown when senior running back Noah Reid broke loose for a 57-yard run into the end zone. The Tigers missed the extra point leaving the door open for a Colonels’ comeback.

For the third straight week, the Colonels failed to convert what could have been the winning touchdown when they turned the ball over to the Tigers with less than a minute left in the district contest.

The game started off in Whitley County’s favor as the Colonels hit pay dirt on the first play of the game, a 41-yard pass from Travis Inman to senior wide receiver Justin Goins. Seth McCoy added the extra point for a quick 7-0 lead.

The Colonels came back with an onside kick and recovered the football. Whitley County (1-5) drove the ball down to the 26-yard line before the drive stalled. McCoy tried a 27-yard field goal that missed the target.

Whitley County owned most of the first quarter, but the momentum began to change late in the period when Clay County recovered a Colonel fumble. The Tigers took advantage of the mistake when senior quarterback John Wilson hit Joey Dezarn on a 36-yard pass play for six points with just under two minutes left in the quarter. Reid added the two-point conversion for an 8-7 lead.

Whitley County turned the ball over on its next possession allowing the Tigers yet another score. This time, a 22-yard pass to John V. Hooker. Reid again added two points to the end of the touchdown for a 16-7 lead.

Before the half was over, the Tigers struck again on an 18-yard run by Reid. The PAT failed, but Clay County led, 22-7.

The Colonels didn’t quit and rallied to tie the game. Senior Cody Bramlett scored with five minutes left in the third quarter with McCoy adding the extra points. Then early in the fourth period, Jordan Singleton scored from 16 yards out. The senior added the two-point conversion and the score was tied at 22-22.

That set the stage for Reid’s long run to the end zone and Whitley County’s sixth turnover of the game.

The Colonels face a must-win situation Friday night when they travel to Letcher Central. The loser of this game will be more than likely eliminated from the KHSAA playoffs come November 5.

Clay County 28, Whitley County 22

Clay Co.              8  14   0   6- 28

Whitley Co.              7    0   7   8- 22

WC- Justin Goins 41 pass from Travis Inman (McCoy kick)

CC- Joey Dezarn 36 pass from John Wilson (Noah Reid run)

CC- John Hooker 22 pass from Wilson (Reid run)

CC- Noah Reid 18 run (kick failed)

WC- Cody Bramlett 27 run (McCoy kick)

WC- Jordan Singleton 16 run (Singleton run)

CC- Reid 57 run (run failed)