It didn’t take Clay County long to establish itself as the better team on Friday during its road district matchup against Harlan County.
Tyson Wagers took the opening kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown and never looked back during their 42-20 rout of the Black Bears.
The Tigers (4-1 overall, 1-0 vs. district opponents) came into the match riding a three-game win streak while coming off a bye. Harlan County (3-3, 0-1) had a two-game win streak, so something had to give.
Clay County’s passing attack combined with its ground game and another stingy effort by the defense allowed the Tigers to hold off Harlan County’s late rally. Clay County’s has now scored at least 40 points in four consecutive games.
Tate Rice threw for three touchdowns while Wagers had three touchdown receptions and a kick-off return for a score. Lucas Allen did the damage on the ground, adding two rushing touchdowns.
The Tigers have outscored their opponents, 87-0, the past three games, and has won two games in a row against Harlan County for the first time in program history.
Clay County will host Johnson Central Friday at home while the Black Bears will travel to play Letcher Central.
The opened the game with a bang, as Wagers returns the opening kick-off 65 yards for a score to give Clay County an early 6-0 lead just 14 seconds into the game.
Harlan County responded with an impressive offensive drive that tied the game at six apiece.
Thomas Jordan scored on a seven-yard run with 7:50 left in the first quarter that got the Black Bears back into the game.
Clay County managed to find the end zone on its second possession of the game as Allen scored on a three-yard run at the 3:48 mark of the first quarter, pushing his team’s lead to 12-6.
The Tigers continued to add to their lead in the second quarter as Allen found his way into the end zone after breaking free for a 12-yard touchdown as Clay County’s lead grew to 18-6 with 9:18 remaining in the first half.
The Tigers’ dominance continued on their ensuing possession as Rice’s 33-yard touchdown pass to Tyson Wagers increased Clay County’s advantage to 24-6.
Michael Sizemore’s squad continued to pad their lead right before halftime as Rice’s second touchdown pass, a 55-yarder to Wagers allowed the Tigers to lead at halftime, 30-6.
Rice continued his hot hand int he second half. He and Wagers hooked up for a third time through the air, a 39-yarder, as Clay County began to pull away from the stunned Black Bears, leading, 36-6, with 8:15 left in the third quarter.
Harlan County continues to battle, though.
Jordan’s second rushing touchdown, a six-yarder, allowed the Black Bears to cut their deficit to 36-12 with 6:25 left in the third quarter.
Harlan County’s defense came up with a big play with 10:25 remaining in regulation as Josh Sergent scored after recovering a fumble to cut the Tigers’ lead to 36-20.
A three-yard touchdown runs by Aiden Wagers with 2:21 remaining out an end to any hopes of a Black Bear comeback, as Clay County’s lead moved to 42-20.
