Bulldogs hold off Pike County Central 22-20

STAFF REPORTS

BSN

LOUISA – Lawrence County held on to defeat Pike County Central 22-20 in the first round of the Class 3A UK Orthopaedics/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl at Luke Varney Jr. Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 19.

The Bulldogs improved to 4-1 after notching the win.

Following a scoreless first quarter, Lawrence County clung to a 16-14 lead at halftime.

Lawrence County rushed 48 times for 202 yards in the win.

Quarterback Alex Strickland rushed 13 times for 83 yards and one touchdown to lead Lawrence County to the victory.

Finishing as the Bulldogs' second-leading rusher, Dylan Ferguson rushed 16 times for 61 yards and two touchdowns.

Behind Ferguson, Blue Fletcher rushed 16 times for 39 yards in the Bulldogs' win.

Stepping up defensively, Lawrence County stopped a pair of Pike County Central two-point conversion attempts.

Pike County Central rushed 36 times for 206 yards in the short effort.

Matt Anderson, Tayvian Boykins and Keegan Bentley rushed for one touchdown apiece for Pike County Central in the loss.

Boykins led the Hawks, rushing 10 times for 83 yards and one touchdown.

Anderson, one of the state's top high school football rushers, rushed 11 times for 59 yards and one touchdown.

Prior to the postseason matchup, Lawrence County edged Pike County Central 29-28 when the two teams met for a district game during the regular season.

The win allowed Lawrence County to advance to the second round of the Class 3A UK Orthopaedics/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl.