Knox Central and Bourbon County hooked up in one for the ages on Friday.
The Panthers prevailed 62-61, as the two teams combined for a total of 123 points which ranks fifth all-time, according to the KHSAA record book. The four combined scores ahead of Friday night’s 123 points were dated back in 1913, 1912, 1919, and 1917, respectively.
Male vs. Tharp ranks No. 1 with 149 combined points scored way back in 1913.
Knox Central’s Steven Partin ran for 316 yards on 52 carries along with six touchdowns and one passing touchdown in the win.
The Panthers (4-2) didn’t get out of the gate like they had wanted to begin the game.
An interception thrown by Partin was returned 60 yards for a touchdown as Bourbon County took a 6-0 lead with 7:54 left in the first quarter.
It’s didn’t take the Panthers long to toe the game.
Knox Central scored on its ensuing drive as Partin’s 25-yard pass to Gavin Chadwell, set up Partin’s one-yard touchdown run that tied the game at six apiece with 2:34 remaining in the first quarter.
Bourbon County took a 14-6 advantage into the second quarter after scoring on an 18-yard touchdown run, but Partin added another rushing touchdown from one-yard out to make the score, 14-12. The Panthers added the two-point conversion to tie the game at 14 apiece with 6:28 left in the first half.
The Colonels returned the favor on their next drive and reclaimed a 21-14 lead with three minutes left in the first half thanks to an 11-yard touchdown run.
JT Turner’s 50-yard kickoff return set up Gavin Miracle’s 13-yard rushing touchdown, allowing Knox Central to cut its deficit to 21-20.
The Panthers forced Bourbon County to punt, and then took a 26-21 lead into the locker room at halftime after Partin connected with Turner for a 56-yard touchdown connection.
The Colonels continued the explosive fireworks in the second half by taking the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. Bourbon County added the two-point conversion to regain a 29-26 edge with 11:44 left in the third quarter.
And just when you thought you saw it all, Turner returned the favor for Knox Central, racing 80 yards for the score on the ensuing kickoff, allowing the Panthers to take a 34-29 edge with 11:30 remaining in the quarter.
Knox Central forced Bourbon County to turn the ball over on the Colonels’ ensuing drive, and Partin made them pay with his third rushing touchdown, a nine-yarder while increasing the Panthers’ lead to 40-29 advantage with 6:34 left in the third quarter.
It didn’t take long for Bourbon County to answer. The Colonels scored with 5:10 left in the third quarter while cutting their deficit to 40-37 behind a one-yard touchdown run.
Partin continued to will his team down field and used a 40-yard run to lead to his one-yard touchdown run to make the score, 48-37.
Bourbon County added another touchdown but Partin’s fifth rushing touchdown, a 51-yarder, gave his team some breathing room at 56-45 with 8:25 remaining in regulation.
The teams continued to trade scores with the Colonels adding another touchdown but Partin found paydirt for the sixth time in the ground, pushing Knox Central’s lead to 62-53 with three minutes to go.
But just when it looked as if the game was over, Bourbon County struck for a 54-yard touchdown strike to cut its deficit to 62-61 with 2:37 remaining in regulation.
