In what might have been one of the biggest regular season games for both teams in a long while, Hart County traveled to Green County last Friday night for what turned out to be one of the more interesting games in the series. For the first time in Green County football, head coach Colt Phelps came into his second season with high expectations as the Dragons returned a lot of experienced starters from last year’s 11-2 team. In fact, Green County’s 11-wins were the most since Mike Griffith’s 11-1 team in 2007. Hart County came into Friday night’s game on an emotional high after scoring 111-points in their first two games and a chance to start 3-0 for the first time since 2015. Head coach Chad Griffin has the Raiders on the move and with plenty of seasoned talent along with developing players coming up, Hart County came into the game with a lot on the line.
A standing only crowd gave the atmosphere an electric feel as the Dragons were breaking in a new turf field and both teams gave their fans plenty to be proud of as week three’s game turned into a classic. Although Hart County pulled out a 28-20 win, nothing was guaranteed as the Dragons broke a 6-6 halftime tie with a couple of touchdowns and appeared to be in control until two plays involving Clark Rexroat turned the game and the outcome around.
After neither team was able to score in the first quarter, Green County looked to break the scoreless tie, but after moving the ball to the Raider seven-yard line, Dragon quarterback Houston Hodges was intercepted by Jaxson Shoulder at the one. The return set up the Raiders in good field position and 4-plays later Shoulders finished off the drive with a 16-yard touchdown run. The PAT was blocked. Green County didn’t waste anytime getting on the scoreboard when Hodges found Zack Ferguson for a 71-yard scoring pass. However, their two-point attempt also failed.
Hart County went 3-and-out on their next two possessions and Green County missed another chance to get on the scoreboard when Hodges was picked off by Trent Kohnner. Although the first half went by with little scoring, the second half would be more active with plenty of turnovers and mistakes as well.
First Hart County fumbled the second half kickoff at midfield, but the Raiders dodged a bullet when Hodges threw his third interception. However, Hart County gave it right back on a fumble which the Dragons recovered and this time they would take advantage. Running back Jullian Seymour sped through a hole on the right side and would not be caught until he was in the end zone. The 22-yard scoring run put the Dragons up 12-6, but once again their two-point play failed. After the Raiders went 3-and-out again, Green County added to their advantage with another touchdown run by Seymour. This time from 44-yards out to make the score 20-6 after the successful two-point play with 5:34 left in the third quarter.
It looked like the Dragons were in command.
But just like that, it changed again.
First, Hart County would drive downfield in just four-plays, the biggest was a short pass completion to Rexroat, who took off and was finally brought down at the 15-yardline. Although he fumbled, the Raiders recovered. On the very next play, quarterback Keaton Walters pulled off a great play fake and scored untouched to make the score, 20-12. After the two-point play failed, the Raider defense rose up and stopped the Dragons as they lost yardage on their first two plays after the kickoff. A 3rd-down pass completion was just short and they surrendered the ball again.
Once again, the Raiders marched right down field again, this time the big play was a 38-yard run by Anthony Lawlis who scored to make it 20-18. Rexroat’s run tied things up on the successful two-point try. On a drive that began near the end of the third quarter and continued into the fourth, the Dragons moved right down field on five plays, but a fourth down run came up short and Hart County took over.
The Raiders ran four plays and from near midfield, Walter rolled right and fired to Rexroat running a post scoring to make the score 26-20. Walters only attempted four passes (both completed to Rexroat) and to make it fitting, Rexroat scored on a two-point run to make it 28-20 with 4:43 left. It was the first lead for Hart County since 9:25 of the second quarter.
The Dragons didn’t give up easy. Three straight pass completions by Hodges moved Green County to the Hart County 40-yard line. However that was a far as they got after a couple incompletions and a penalty forced them in a fourth and long yardage. A 4th down pass fell incomplete and the game ended, 28-20.
Despite the loss, Green County looks to be headed in the right direction as they will travel to Taylor County, this week.
With the win, Hart County has their first 3-0 start since 2015 and they will see if that will continue has they will come home to face Campbellsville.
