Christian County couldn’t take advantage of its opportunities and Central Hardin ran its Wing-T offense to near perfection Friday night.
The result was a 34-6 loss for the Colonels, who saw their season end for the second straight year in the first round of the Class 6-A football playoffs at Central Hardin’s field.
Christian County (1-10) had the ball inside the Bruins’ 30-yard line six times on the night, and four times inside the Central Hardin 20, but could only manage one score. That came with 10:59 to play and the hosts already ahead 27-0.
The Bruins (3-8) scored on their first possession when Caeden Taylor ran 30 yards for a touchdown with 8:46 to play in the first quarter. A two-point conversion failed leaving the score 6-0.
After a Colonels’ three-and-out and a 22-yard punt set up Central Hardin with good field position, Jackson Rachau went 36 yards for touchdown and the first of Micah Chenault’s four extra-point kicks pushed the lead to 13-0 with 6:27 to go in the first quarter.
Seth Laudermilt, who entered the game as the Bruins’ leading rusher, made it 20-0 with 11:30 to play in the half on a 5-yard run.
The Colonels drove to the Bruins’ 5-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. On the Bruins’ next possession, Deandre Watkins intercepted a pass and returned the ball to the Central Hardin 4-yard line with 7 seconds left in the half. But a sack ended that drive and the first half.
Christian County opened the second half with a 13-play drive that reached the Bruins’ 20 yard line. But quarterback Jaiden Williams was hit by three defenders and fumbled the ball. Central Hardin recovered and needed only six plays before Jaxon Engstrand scored on a 2-yard run to push the lead to 27-0 with 1:42 to play in the third quarter.
Williams drove the Colonels 66 yards in eight plays, all passes, and found Aiden Jesse for a 10-yard scoring toss to cut the lead to 27-6.
But with the help of three personal foul penalties on the Colonels, Central Hardin pushed its lead to 34-6 on a 15-yard touchdown run by quarterback Caleb Irwin with 7:16 to go.
Irwin ran the Wing-T to perfection as the Bruins rolled up 286 yards rushing. Taylor led the way with 104 yards on four carries. Laudermilt finished with seven carries for 72 yards.
Christian County was led by Zyon Wharton, who rushed for 60 yards on 12 carries. Many of those came in the fourth quarter after Williams was injured and had to leave the game. Josh Bridges caught four passes for 57 yards.
The Colonels threw four interceptions and lost a fumble on the night. They were penalized nine times for 97 yards.
Central Hardin, who committed 17 penalties for 155 yards, advances to play McCracken County next Friday in the second round of the playoffs. The Mustangs defeated Warren Central Friday night in Paducah.
Score by Quarters:
Christian County 0 0 0 6 – 6
Central Hardin 13 7 7 7-34
Individual Scoring:
CH: Caeden Taylor, 30-yard run; Conversion failed.
CH: Jackson Rachau, 36-yard run; Micah Chenault, kick.
CH: Seth Laudermilt, 5-yard run; Chenault, kick.
CH: Jaxon Engstrand, 2-yard run; Chenault, kick.
CC: Jaiden Williams, 10-yard pass to Aiden Jesse; Conversion failed.
CH: Caleb Irwin, 15-yard run; Chenault, kick.
File Photo