Down 21-20 with 4:11 remaining in regulation, Harlan decided to go for a two-point conversion to take the lead but Middlesboro’s defense stepped up to the occasion and made the stop which led to the Yellow Jackets’ 21-20 win over the previously unbeaten Green Dragons.
Middlesboro (3-2) won its third straight after starting the season 0-2 while Harlan fell to 3-1.
Both teams turned in impressive defensive efforts throughout the first half with Middlesboro finally finding pay dirt as Cayden Grigsby scored on a seven-yard run to give the Yellow Jackets a 7-0 advantage with 6:04 left in the first half.
Middlesboro began to hit a groove offensively after its first scoring drive. Grigsby hooked up with Tyler Sturgill through the air for 32 yards to increase the Yellow Jackets’ lead to 14-9 with 1:19 remaining in the first half.
Harlan managed to get on the scoreboard right before half, though.
Donovan Montanaro found Will Austin open for a 47-yard touchdown score to cut the Green Dragons’ deficit to 14-8 at the 1:07 mark of the second quarter.
Harlan continues to gain momentum on its next drive as a five-yard touchdown run by Ryley Medford tied the game at 14 apiece with 2:15 remaining in the third quarter.
Middlesboro answered on its ensuing drive, and regained the lead as the Yellow Jackets’ Vincent Smith managed to break free with a 19-yard touchdown run, making the score 21-14 with 11:53 left in the fourth quarter.
Jayden Ward’s one-yard touchdown run with 4:11 left cut Harlan’s deficit to one point but the Green Dragons failed to convert the two-point conversion. Harlan trailed 21-20 with 4:11 left in regulation.
