Harlan captured its first playoff win since 2015 after defeating Sayre, 42-6, for the second time this season during Friday’s first round action of the Class A playoffs.
The Green Dragons (8-3 overall, 15-28 in postseason play) turned in a stellar defensive effort after surrendering 42 points to Sayre during the two teams’ first meeting.
Jayden Ward, Darius Akal, and Donovan Montanaro dominated on offense as Harlan will travel to play Pikeville during Friday’s second round action.
The Panthers cruised to an easy win over Lynn Camp on Friday.
Harlan’s ground attack dominated the first quarter as Jayden Ward’s five-yard touchdown run (4:57 of the first quarter) gave his team a 6-0 lead.
Sayre put together a drive late in the first quarter but an interception by Riley Medford gave the Green Dragons the ball back at the end of the first quarter.
Harlan marched downfield in the second quarter, and attempted to go for it on fourth and goal at the one-yard line but Ward was stopped short.
On the ensuing play, Noah Kirby tackled a Sayre player in the end zone which resulted in a safety, pushing the Green Dragons’ advantage to 8-0 with 6:40 left in the first half.
Akal continued Harlan’s dominance three minutes later, scoring on a seven-yard run while Will Austin’s interception set up Montanaro’s one-yard keeper that found paydirt to give the Green Dragons a comfortable 20-0 advantage at halftime.
Harlan continued to pad onto its lead in the second half as Akal added a 12-yard touchdown run while Monataro’s seven-yard keeper made the score, 36-7 with 22 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Montanaro added another rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
