ACS Defeats Barren County in Regular Season Finale
At the end of Thursday’s regular season finale, the Allen County-Scottsville Patriots can thank their defense. Two plays were key as the Patriots rallied from a halftime deficit to spoil Senior Night at Barren County, defeating the Trojans 18-12.
The plays proved huge as AC-S recorded their third win of the season. The first, came midway in the final quarter. With Barren County clinging to a 14-12 lead, their drive stalled near the AC-S 23 yard line. Rather than attempt to gain a first down, the hosts lined up for a 40-yard field goal attempt. AC-S linebacker Julyan McPeak got his hand on the low-sailing kick. Seconds later, junior Aubrey Fernandez picked up the loose ball and raced 50 yards toward the Trojans end zone before being tackles from behind.
Senior quarter back Payton Cope turned the outstanding defensive play by his teammates into six points. On a fourth and goal from the one, Cope’s keeper at the 3:35 mark of the fourth lifted AC-S to their first lead of the night, 18-14.
The following drive would result in the potential game saving moment. Barren County had quickly moved into AC-S territory. With just over a minute left, senior lineman Zander Reynolds stepped in front of a pass and hauled in the interception. Reynolds pick and return allowed AC-S to run out the clock and seal the win.
Even though the Patriot defense allowed Barren County 244 yards in the game, the two plays along with a Cameron Lay interception and a Jake Gardner fumble recovery proved huge in slowing the Trojan attack. The defensive efforts was needed on a night when AC-S’s offense struggled to move the ball.
Cope passed for 90 yards on the night, completing eight of 16 passes. The yardage pushed the senior past the 3,000 yard passing mark for his career. Based on available records, Cope is the fourth AC-S player to pass for 3,000 or more yards, joining Chase Wilson, DeWayne Taylor, and Corey Cooper.
Dillon Slaon’s one reception for 34 yards led the AC-S receivers. Tailback Jace Jackson grabbed three passes for 31 yards with Blayne Moore, Chase Ross, and Patrick Qualls also recording receptions.
On the ground, McPeak led the rushing attack with 44 yards on five carries. Jackson gained 22 yards on 10 attempts with Cope keeping the ball 15 times to gain 12 yards---yet scoring two of AC-S’s three touchdowns.
Barren County opened the scoring with a touchdown and extra point at the 7:07 mark of the first. Almost a quarter later, Cope answered with a yard run. However, the PAT try missed. The Trojans increased their lead to eight, 14-6 with a 47-yard fumble recovery and score. Quall’s catch and score at the 1:40 point of the first half pulled AC-S to within two. The try for two failed.
The win was a historic night for veteran AC-S coach Brad Hood. In his 17th season, Hood recorded his 100th win at the helm. Hood is the first Patriot coach to reach the 100-win mark. His overall record is 100-94 to date.
Hood and the Patriots will look to capture another victory this week in the opening round of the Class 4A playoffs. This year, the KHSAA has returned to inter region play, meaning AC-S, the fourth-seed in District Two will play the one-seed in District One. The opponent is Logan County Friday at 7 p.m. at Logan County.
The game will be a rematch of the season opener. At Warren East on August 19, the Cougars won 26-16, holding AC-S to 168 total offensive yards----the season low prior to last Friday. Logan County (9-1) comes in to the game after a 27-17 win over South Warren last week.
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