HOPKINSVILLE – Defense was the name of the game on Friday evening as Logan County edged Hopkinsville 10-6 at Stadium of Champions in Hopkinsville.
In a game that featured 30 total penalties between each team – totaling over 200 yards – the Cougars were determined to avenge their 43-8 loss to the Tigers in the playoffs in 2017 after edging Hopkinsville (1-6) 13-12 in the 2017 regular season.
“This game carries a lot for our team and Hopkinsville too after what happened last year” Logan County head coach Todd Adler said. “We’re on the road, so we’re not going to get as many calls in the first place, but we’ve got to play better. We have to clean some of those things up, and we’re going to work on that a lot next week.”
The challenges presented to the Cougars went far beyond penalties.
Driving into Hoptown territory late in the second quarter, Logan County quarterback Tyler Ezell went down with an undisclosed leg injury and was helped off the field. Backup quarterback Nate Woodall answered the call, completing 4-of-9 passes for 54 yards and an interception, but was able to lead the Cougars out of Hoptown with the victory.
“We have a ‘next man up’ mentality and our guys did a good job of getting behind Nate to run the offense, and he made some huge plays for us,” Adler said.
More Coverage:
- VIDEO: Logan County coach Todd Adler discusses the win (PART 1)
- VIDEO: Logan County coach Todd Adler discusses the win (PART 2)
- VIDEO: Logan County’s Maurice Gordon discusses the win
- VIDEO: Logan County’s Caden McKinnis discusses the win
Both teams struggled to get going in the first quarter until Mason Marschand capped off a 12-play drive with a 35-yard field goal, giving the Tigers an early 3-0 lead with 1:02 to go in the first.
The Cougars responded on the ensuing drive as Maurice Gordon took a reverse 39 yards to pay dirt, spotting Logan County a 7-3 lead with 10:54 to go in the second quarter.
The Tigers tacked on three more points with 6:48 to go in the third quarter on a 32-yard field goal by Marschand, cutting the Cougars’ lead to 7-6. The Tigers drove and tried for another field goal to close out the fourth quarter.
The Cougars (7-0) closed out the scoring with a 40-yard field goal by Lucas Arevalo with 3:18 to go in the game.
“Our coaches always say that defense wins championships, and we proved that tonight,” senior defensive lineman Caden McKinnis said. “If our offense is struggling with penalties or can’t move the ball, the defense steps up and that’s what I love about this team.”
Logan County totaled 211 yards of offense, 120 on the ground and 91 through the air. Greg Hardy led the Cougars with 62 yards on 16 carries while Gordon ran for 33 yards on three carries and the only touchdown of the game. Anthony Woodard caught two passes for 53 yards.
Hopkinsville had 189 yards of total offense. The ground game carried most of the weight as JaTorion Dillard had 78 yards on 14 carries while Jordan Hopson tallied 62 yards on 15 carries.
The Cougars will return home next Friday as they host Madisonville-North Hopkins with a district championship on the line. The Tigers will be on the road against Calloway County.
“This win got a home playoff game, which we’re really hype about,” McKinnis said. “We don’t have to have a big lead to win a game. Tonight proved that we could really grind one out and be alright.”
Logan County 10, Hopkinsville 6
LC 0 7 0 3 – 10
Hoptown 3 0 3 0 – 6
1st Quarter
H – 1:02: Mason Marschand 35-yard FG (Hop 3-0)
2nd Quarter
LC – 10:54: Maurice Gordon 39-yard run (Lucas Arevalo kick good) (LC 7-3)
3rd Quarter
H – 6:49: Marschand 32-yard FG (LC 7-6)
4th Quarter
LC – 3:18: Arevalo 40-yard FG (LC 10-6)
Clay Manlove; @ctmanlove58
