The Fayette County Tigers (3-4, 1-1) fell behind on the game’s first play and trailed by 29 points before getting their first score in the second half of a 35-7 loss at Woodward Academy.
The homecoming crowd got a pleasant surprise from the War Eagles (6-1, 2-0) with the opening kickoff, which Elijah Holyfield returned 80 yards for a touchdown.
The Tigers’ first possession looked good, picking up four first downs and converting a fourth-and-7 in Woodward territory, before ending on another fourth down inside the 30. A spectacular Woodward punt was downed inside the 5, and on the first play of the second quarter Daveion Nash was tackled in the end zone for a safety.
But Fayette County turned the ensuing free kick from its own 20 into an onside kick and recovered the ball at its own 45. The teams traded punts and the Tigers knocked on the door less than a minute before halftime, but a fourth-and-5 attempt at the Woodward 8 came up short.
The opening drive of the second half saw the Tigers stifled by the home team’s defense (as well as the turf) and, after a punt, Woodward capped a short drive with a 15-yard scoring run by Holyfield to make the score 16-0.
About two minutes later, Woodward found the end zone again. After a three-and-out and another punt, Jes Sutherland found J.R. Pace down the left sideline for a 47-yard touchdown pass on first down.
The War Eagles got the ball back on the Tigers’ 32 after an errant pitch became a lost fumble. On fourth-and-5 from the 27, Sutherland lofted the ball into the left corner of the end zone and
Stephen Elliott came up with a leaping catch to put the home team up by 29 with 4:08 left in the third quarter.
Montrell Kelley came up with the Tigers’ first big play of the night on the next drive, racing 68 yards for a touchdown to put Fayette County on the scoreboard. Holyfield scored his third touchdown of the night with just over nine minutes to play.
The Tigers travel to Whitewater next Friday.
CARROLLTON 21, WHITEWATER 20 (overtime): An extra point was the difference for the Wildcats (4-3, 0-2) in their region matchup against the Trojans (3-4, 1-1). Whitewater hosts Fayette County next Friday.
OUR LADY OF MERCY 56, STRONG ROCK 20: The Bobcats (6-2, 2-0) rolled up 49 first-half points on their way to an easy road win over the Patriots (3-4, 0-2). They are off next week and host ELCA Oct. 31.
LANDMARK 56, MT. VERNON 21: The War Eagles (6-1, 1-0) opened up a 42-0 lead in the second quarter and cruised to a win in their region opener. They host ELCA next Friday.
McINTOSH (2-5, 1-3) was off this week. The Chiefs host Forest Park next Friday.
