Tye Hamblin turned in a solid day behind center, throwing for two touchdowns while rushing for another during Whitley County’s 47-18 win over South Laurel.
The win assured the Colonels (2-7) a playoff berth as their respective district’s No. 4 seed while the Cardinals (0-9) were eliminated from the playoffs.
Whitley County managed to get on the scoreboard first thanks to a one-yard touchdown run by Kendall Jackson with 4:55 remaining in the first quarter, as the Colonels’ lead grew to 7-0.
South Laurel managed to get on the scoreboard with 4:46 remaining in the first half as Ashton Garland’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Hammock cut the Colonels’ lead to 7-6.
Tye Hamblin’s six-yard touchdown run with 1:46 remaining in the first half allowed Whitley County to take a 14-6 advantage with 1:46 remaining in the first half.
South Laurel responded by driving downfield to cut its deficit to 14-12 at halftime as a 10-yard touchdown run by Garland made the score, 14-12.
A 90-yard kick-off return for a score by Jaxon Storms gave the Colonels a 21-12 cushion just 15 seconds into the second half.
Whitley County opened the second half with a touchdown as Hamblin hit Shane Parker for a 76-yard score to give his team a 27-12 lead right out of the gate.
South Laurel answered with Garland hitting Hunter Bundy with an 11-yard touchdown pass while Parker and Hamblin hooked up again to push the Colonels’ lead to 34-18 entering the fourth quarter.
Mason Croley’s three-yard touchdown run with 7:36 remaining in regulation put the finishing touches on Whitley County’s win.
Ryan Steely also scored on a fumble recovery for the Colonels.
POSTSEASON BOUND: Whitley County clinched playoff berth after defeating South Laurel at home
