Daniel Thomas continued his impressive season, totaling more than 200 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown to lead Bell County past Harlan County with a 38-16 win.
The win improved the Bobcats to 8-2 overall while the Black Bears fall to 4-7.
Bell County will host Powell County during first round of the Class 3A playoffs next week while Harlan County will travel to play Corbin during first round action of the Class 4A playoffs.
On Friday, Thomas started things off for the Bobcats with a 15-yard touchdown run to give Bell County an 8-0 lead at the 3:49 mark of the first quarter.
Harlan County answered with a seven-yard touchdown run by Jonah Swanner while the Black Bears added the two-point conversion to tie the game at eight apiece with with 7:43 remaining in the first half.
The Bobcats regained the lead on an 80-yard pass from Blake Burnett to Thomas as Bell County took a 15-8 advantage at the 5:13 mark of the second quarter.
Thomas continued to have his way with the Black Bear defense in the second half. His 15-yard touchdown run at the 11:10 mark in the third quarter pushed the Bobcats’ lead to 22-8.
Harlan County never folded, though.
A 20-yard touchdown run by Thomas Jordan cut Bell County’s lead to 22-16 with 8:51 left in the third quarter.
Thomas took over the remainder of the contest.
A 65-yard run by Thomas set up his one-yard touchdown run while he also added a 14-yard run, giving the Bobcats a 38-16 lead with 10:03 left in the game.
