WILLIAMSBURG — Dee Parker continues to show just how dominant he can be when the football in his hands.
Parker once again out on a show, rushing for more than 200 yards for the third consecutive game while finding paydirt three times to help lead Whitley County to a hardfought 28-22 win over Harlan County.
“Great high school football game,” Whitley County coach Matt Rhymer said. “Both teams played really hard and wanted to win. It was a great team win for us. We have a lot of areas to get better at and need to improve each week. We’ll be excited to get back to work next week and compete.”
Parker’s 16-yard touchdown run with 22.5 second remaining gave Whitley County the win while the Colonels improved to 2-1 during the process. The loss dropped the Black Bears to 1-2.
Harlan County surprised the Colonels by recovering an onside kick to begin the game and eventually scored to take a 7-0 advantage with 3:34 remaining in the first quarter thanks to a three-yard keeper by Brayden Morris.
Whitley County answered at the 11:17 mark of the second quarter as Dee Parker found his way into the end zone with an eight-yard carry to tie the game at seven apiece.
The Black Bears were able to take a 14-7 lead into the locker room at halftime thanks to Luke Kelly’s 37-yard touchdown reception. His interception just a few seconds before set up the score.
Whitley County to tie the game at 14 apiece with 5:39 remaining in the third quarter as Aaron Rowe scored on an eight-yard touchdown run.
Luke Lambdin’s fumble recovery with two minutes remaining in the third quarter, set up the Colonels’ third touchdown
Whitley County took a 21-14 edge at the 10:33 mark of the fourth quarter thanks to a three-yard touchdown by Parker, his second of the game.
A crucial fumble with 5:28 remaining set up Harlan County’s go-ahead touchdown.
Morris broke free with a 12-yard touchdown run while adding the two-point conversion, giving the Black Bears a 22-21 edge with 1:37 left in the fourth quarter.
It looked as if Whitley County had regained the lead after Parker scored on a touchdown pass from Ethan Allen, but due to an ineligible receiver downfield penalty called with 49 second remaining, it nullified the touchdown.
It didn’t matter, though.
Parker scored the eventual game-winning a few plays later on a 16-yard touchdown run with only 22.5 seconds remaining to give his team a 28-22 lead.
