LONDON — South Laurel’s hopes of reaching the Class 5A playoffs came to an end on Friday.
After starting the season with a promising 4-1 record, the Cardinals have now lost four in a row after a 63-14 Setback to Southwestern.
The loss dropped South Laurel to 0-4 in district play, as their losing skid to the Warriors has now reached 17 games in a row.
Southwestern scored early and often Friday, and was able to cruise to an easy win behind a strong offensive and defensive showing.
“We played very hard and fought till the end,” South Laurel coach Allen Mitchell said. “Defensively, we just couldn’t stop them but offensively we moved the ball well and were on the goal line three times and didn’t score. I’m proud of our guys especially our seniors. We have made strides this year as a program and we just need to finish the season the correct way. I love coaching this team.”
The Warriors scored the game’s first 21 points behind a 69-yard touchdown run, and a 32-yard interception return for a score.
South Laurel got on the scoreboard with 55 seconds remaining as Jimmy Mitchell found Gage Larkey open for a 12-yard touchdown connection, cutting the Cardinals’ deficit to 21-6.
A 39-yard touchdown pass pushed Southwestern’s lead to 28-6 with 11:33 remaining in the second quarter but South Laurel answered four minutes later as Mitchell hit Garrison Brown for a touchdown strike. The Cardinals added the two-point conversion to cut their deficit to 28-14 with 7:17 remaining in the first half.
Southwestern managed to close out the half with touchdown runs of six, and one yards, to take a comfortable 42-14 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
There would be no comeback in the second half for the Cardinals.
A 58-yard touchdown pass combined with a 56-yard interception for a score pushed the Warriors’ advantage to 56-14, as they cruised on to victory.
South Laurel will be off this upcoming week before wrapping up the 2023 campaign at home against Harlan.
