Tom Johnson’s 48-yard scoring pass to Michael Tandy and a late interception paved the way for the Christian County Colonels to defeat the host Caverna Colonels 40-32 Friday night in a high school football game.
The victory was the first for the Colonels’ interim head coach Kelly Myers, who took over for Ethan Atchley after Atchley resigned on Monday. The win also broke an eight-game losing streak that dated back to October of 2024.
Christian County (1-4) and Caverna (1-4) traded the lead five times in the first half before the host Colonels grabbed a 26-24 lead at the break.
Caverna’s Tyson Martin got loose for a 57-yard touchdown run with 4:18 to play in the third quarter and pushed the hosts’ lead to 32-24.
However, Christian County went 69 yards in eight plays capped off by Deasian Harris’ 1-yard touchdown run. Johnson’s conversion pass to James Farley tied the game at 32 with 1:21 to play in the third quarter. The big plays on the drive were a 27-yard pass to Harris and a 23-yard pass to Darius Finch.
The Colonels’ defense stiffened from there, forcing two straight punts.
But it was Jimmarion Byrd’s interception at the Caverna 48-yard line with 1:18 to play that set up Christian County’s winning play and spoiled Caverna’s homecoming night.
On the next play, Johnson rolled out and found Tandy open in the middle of the field. The senior wide receiver raced untouched 48 yards for the go-ahead score with 1:07 to play. Harris’ conversion run gave Christian County the 40-32 advantage.
Antonio Ware Jr. then picked off the next Caverna pass and sealed the win for Christian County.
Offensively, Christian County rolled up 416 total yards including 277 through the air. Meanwhile, Tristan Dillard ran for two scores and Harris finished with 81 yards and a pair of rushing scores.
Finch caught four passes for 95 yards and Farley caught two passes for 77 yards.
Caverna was led by the Martin brothers. Tyson Martin finished with 134 yards rushing and two touchdowns. He also threw a touchdown pass to his brother, Kenyon Martin. Kenyon Martin also ran for 87 yards and a touchdown.
Quarterback Jackson Corn also tossed a 46-yard scoring pass to Kenyon Martin.
File Photo by Danny Vowell