Jim Mashek

PATRIOTS EARN THIRD WIN, WILL FACE 1ST DISTRICT CHAMPION LOGAN COUNTY NEXT WEEK

GLASGOW — Trying to wind down after yet another amazing KHSAA high school football game at Barren County.

The Allen County-Scottsville High School Patriots, struggling with a 1-7 record through the first nine weeks of the season, have struck for back-to-back victories heading into the KHSAA Class 4A playoffs.

Allen County-Scottsville used a blocked field-goal attempt by Julyan McPeak and Payton Cope’s fourth-down quarterback sneak for the winning points with 3:35 left in the game Thursday night, sending the Patriots to a dramatic 18-14 victory over Class 6A Barren County.

The Trojans, who dropped to 4-6 with the defeat, seemed to have the upper hand through three quarters.

But McPeak blocked Barren County’s attempt at a 38-yard field goal with about eight minutes left in the game, and AC-S teammate Zander Reynolds returned the ball 40 yards down the left sideline, leading to the Patriots’ final scoring opportunity.

AC-S senior quarterback Payton Cope used an unbalanced offensive line to the left side, drawing the defense to that side of the field, before scoring on a 1-yard QB sneak to give the Patriots their only lead of the game.

Barren County senior quarterback Will Childress tried to get his team downfield in the final minutes, and the Trojans punched out two first downs before Allen County-Scottsville’s defense forced a turnover to put the game away.

Childress was hit by AC-S linebacker Jake Gardner, however, while trying the slip the ball to teammate Donovan Bradshaw in the right flat. Childress barely got the pass off and AC-S senior Zander Reynolds, a 5-foot-10, 240-pound defensive tackle, made the interception before returning the ball 40 yards down the left sideline.

“It’s the best feeling in the world, a lineman’s dream, to get the ball in his hands,” Reynolds said.

It was the 100th career victory for veteran AC-S coach Brad Hood, who paid tribute to his team after the game. The Patriots (3-7) will open the KHSAA Class 4A playoffs on the road next week against Logan County (8-1).

“I’ve been doing this, coaching high school football at a place I love, since 2006,” Hood said. “This group of kids, to fight like they did tonight, to battle through adversity … it really shows their heart.

“Since (Win No. 98) I’ve been a nervous wreck. The seniors told me they were gonna give me No. 100 this year, and they did it. I’m really proud of all of them.”

AC-S quarterback Payton Cope appeared to injure his hip, and crumbled to the ground afterward, but he walked around the field accepting congratulations from family, teammates and classmates, before moving on to the team bus and “lots of ice baths,” he said via text message early Friday morning.

Cope’s 1-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown was the only scoring of the second half. Barren County led 14-12 at halftime.

“The adrenaline immediately let up, after the game, and I just collapsed,” Cope said. “I have like a shooting pain, right now. But I’ll get my therapy, and we’ll get back to work to get ready for Logan County.”

Logan County defeated Allen County-Scottsville 26-16 on Opening Night in the J. Allen Builders Bowl, on August 20 at Greenwood High School.

I’ll be covering Logan County’s game against defending KHSAA Class 5A champion South Warren on Friday night. Complete story on Thursday’s game will run later this morning. Thanks for reading.