Middlesboro hung tough with Shelby Valley, leading 21-20 late in the fourth quarter before a touchdown with 3:31 remaining in regulation led to the Yellow Jackets falling to Shelby Valley, 28-21, during second round action of the Class 2A playoffs.
Both teams managed to score a touchdown apiece in the first quarter with the game tied at seven apiece entering the second quarter.
Middlesboro had a big defensive stand, holding Shelby Valley at the nine-yard line, and took advantage of the defensive stop as Cayden Grigsby’s 36-yard touchdown run gave the Yellow Jackets a 14-7 lead with 2:26 left in the first half.
The Wildcats tied the game at 14 apiece after a two-yard touchdown run by Russ Osborne with 9:40 left in the third quarter.
Newsome’s nine-yard touchdown runs gave Shelby Valley a 20-14 lead with 9:04 left in regulation while Grigsby continued to keep his team in the game with a 40-yard touchdown pass to Kameron Wilson to give Middlesboro a 21-20 lead at the 8:48 mark.
Newsome added another touchdown run, a one-yarder, while Shelby Valley added the two-point conversion to take a 28-21 edge with only 3:31 remaining in regulation.
