After playing the Greenwood Gators (3-5) to a standstill in an error-plagued first quarter, the Grayson County Cougars (1-7) gave up 34 unanswered points the rest of the way and eventually fell 41-6 last Friday evening in Bowling Green.
It was a perfect night for football, but the way the two teams were putting the ball on the ground in the opening period, you would have thought they were playing in a driving rainstorm. The Gators had the ball first and ran just two plays before they fumbled a pitchout at their own 46-yard line and senior Seth Elmore covered it for the Cougars.
Grayson County then marched down the field, running eight plays down to the Gator six-yard line. The Cougars fumbled on first down, but covered their own miscue at the seven,. However, on the next play they fumbled again and the Gators got it back.
Greenwood ran just three plays before senior quarterback Jackson Adams fumbled again. Senior Evan Embry grabbed the slippery pigskin and the Cougars were in business again at the Gator 26.
Not being able to stand prosperity, the Cougars ran three more plays and fumbled once again. Neither team was able to move the ball consistently the rest of the first period and went into the second quarter locked in a scoreless tie.
But the Gators got their running attack cranked up in the second period, scoring three times to take a 20-0 halftime lead. Adams came into the game as Greenwood’s leading rusher and had another big night, rushing 13 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Adams did not need to pass much, but did complete 6-of-8 for 64 yards and another score. In all, Greenwood rushed for 361 yards against the Cougar defense.
For their part, the Cougars showed they were able to move the ball as they ran for 232 yards in the game. Junior Michael Hoskins was the main man for the Cougars, running 13 times for 91 yards and the only Cougar touchdown of the night. Junior quarterback Cameron Harris ran it 21 times and gained 72 yards for the Cougars.
The Gators took a 7-0 lead at the 6:32 mark of the second period following a 43-yard, nine-play drive. Senior Jake Sanson hauled in a nine-yard pass from Adams for the touchdown.
After the Cougars went three-and-out on their next possession, Greenwood moved 65 yards in just five plays to make it 14-0. Adams carried on a sneak from the one for the score.
The Gators scored again with a little over a minute left in the first half. They drove 53 yards in six plays with Adams scoring again on a 23-yard run. The extra-point try failed, but the Gators took its 20-0 lead into the locker room.
Grayson County had the ball to start the second half and were able to take the ball into Gator territory, but gave up the ball on downs at the 46. They quickly moved in for another score on a seven-play drive. Facing third-and-13 at the Cougar 43, junior Triston Wilson got loose on the Greenwood sideline and moved untouched for the score that made it 27-0.
After the Cougars went three-and-out once again, the Gators moved 59 yards in eight plays to make it 34-0, with senior Dakota Ford carrying in from four yards out.
Grayson County then moved for its only score of the night. Following a touchback, the Cougars drove 80-yards in 10 plays. Junior Michael Hoskins bulled his way into the end zone on third down from a yard out. The kick failed, leaving the score at 34-6.
The Gators were not done as they moved 88 yards in nine plays with sophomore quarterback Zak Brassell scoring from the two to make the final score 41-6.
The Cougars will play their final home game next Friday evening as they host the Barren County Trojans, who are winless on the season. That game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Cougar Field.
By Don Brown Local Sports
Reach Don at donbrown@k105.com
Michael Hoskins bulled over from the one for
Grayson County’s only score of the night.
Cameron Harris gained good yardage on this carry.
Harris finished with 72 yards on 21 carries
