Paintsville captures first state football title in 100th season
Austin Allen (21) recorded a tackle for Paintsville in the Class 1A title game. Photo courtesy of Jim Arnett
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Senior Jake Hyden rushed for three touchdowns in Paintsville's state championship-clinching win over Kentucky Country Day. Photo courtesy of Jim Arnett
LEXINGTON – Making history in its 100th season, Paintsville captured the 2020 Class 1A state championship at Kroger Field Friday.
Paintsville, under the direction of head coach Joe Chirico, scored first and never trailed on its way to defeating Kentucky Country Day 38-7 in the title game.
It is the first state title for the Paintsville football program.
Both Paintsville and Kentucky Country Day concluded the 2020 high school football season 10-2.
Paintsville quarterback Karsten Poe prepared to hand off to Tiger running back Harris Phelps during the Class 1A title game. Photo courtesy of Jim Arnett
Paintsville defeated Kentucky Country Day in the title game after eliminating the Bearcats in the semifinals one year earlier.
The Tigers moved ahead early in the 2020 KHSAA Class 1A title game when sophomore running back Harris Phelps broke free to score from 23 yards out with 5:44 remaining in the first quarter.
Paintsville, the 2019 Class 1A runner-up, led 17-0 at halftime and stretched its lead in the second half.
Finishing strong, Paintsville scored twice in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers rushed 46 times for 315 yards and four touchdowns. Phelps paced Paintsville on the ground, rushing 22 times for 223 yards and one touchdown.
Following Phelps on the ground for Paintsville, Jake Hyden, who returned from an injury earlier in the month, rushed 14 times for 39 times for three touchdowns.
Senior linebacker Mason Lovely (69) recorded 9.5 tackles to lead Paintsville defensively in the KHSAA Class 1A title game. Photo courtesy of Jim Arnett
Through the air for the Tigers, Karsten Poe completed both of his pass attempts for 15 yards. Zach Taylor was on the receiving end of both of Poe's passes.
Kicker Brayden Combs paced Paintsville on special teams, connecting on a field goal with 15 seconds remaining in the first half.
Mason Lovely led Paintsville defensively, recording 9.5 tackles. Finishing behind Lovely in the key defensive category, Austin Allen logged eight tackles for the Tigers.
Kentucky Country Day amassed 212 yards of total offense. The Bearcats rushed 41 times for 151 yards and one touchdown. Eric Dickerson led Kentucky Country Day on the ground, rushing 19 times for 90 yards. Finishing behind Dickerson on the ground for Kentucky Country Day, Nathan Caldwell rushed 17 times for 51 yards and one touchdown.
Quarterback Luke Russo led Kentucky Country Day's limited offensive attack through the air, completing 7 of 13 passes for 61 yards.
Paintsville (Class 1A), Beechwood (Class 2A), Ashland (Class 3A), Boyle County (Class 4A), Bowling Green (Class 5A) and Trinity (Class 6A) captured 2020 KHSAA football titles.