By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
A interception return to the 3-yard line gave Holmes an opportunity to take the lead in the opening minutes of an important Class 4A district game against Scott on Friday night in Taylor Mill.
But Scott kept the visitors from getting into the end zone on the next four plays and that set the tone for a strong defensive performance that carried the Eagles to a 40-6 win.
Scott wide receiver Cameron Patterson, right, catches a pass over Holmes defensive back Daylan Griffin. (Photo by Dale Dawn)
Scott’s defensive unit went on to recover two fumbles, intercept a pass, block a punt and limit Holmes to a net total of 152 yards in the victory that put both teams in a three-way tie with Harrison County for first place in the district.
“Our defense was amazing,” said Scott coach Dan Woolley. “We thought we had a good game plan, but if you’d told me we’d shut them out until the third quarter when the clock was running I don’t think I would’ve believed that.”
The Eagles took a 26-0 lead in the first half with two touchdowns coming off takeaways by the defense and another following the blocked punt.
In the third quarter, junior tailback Quincy Perrin scored on a pair of breakaway runs to make the score 40-0 and start the running clock.
Holmes got its lone touchdown on a 25-yard pass from James Walker to Cortez Blassingame with 1:23 left in the quarter. That play and a 32-yard run netted most of the 70 yards the Bulldogs had in the second half.
Woolley gave his assistant coaches credit for the Eagles’ impressive defensive performance on a cold and rainy night.
“Those are the guys who came up with the defensive game plan and put it in,” he said. “And, obviously, our kids just flew around like maniacs. I think Jared Kelsey had two or three strips for fumbles. They were just all over the place.”
Scott running back Quincey Perrin slips a tackle to pick up more yardage. (Photo by Dale Dawn)
Kelsey, a senior defensive back, said he wanted to do a good job in his last regular season home game to give the Eagles a shot at another district title.
“It was just everybody working hard every play,” he said. “Everybody was doing their jobs and that allowed our linebackers and me to make plays.”
Scott finished with more than 400 yards in total offense. After senior quarterback Chad Ohmer threw for 113 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, the Eagles rushed for 197 yards in the second half without completing a pass.
Senior slot back Kyren Simpson scored the Eagles’ first two touchdowns on a 4-yard run and 32-yard pass from Ohmer. The touchdown run came on a slick double-handoff play that worked again in the second quarter when David Patrick scored on a 12-yard run.
“We do a second handoff because everybody’s keying on (Perrin) going to the right,” Woolley said. “It’s been good for us. David Patrick and Kyren Simpson both run it very well and we’ve gotten a lot of big yards on that to make our offense more effective.”
The longest play of the game was a 62-yard scoring pass from Ohmer to freshman wide receiver Cameron Patterson in the second quarter. Patterson fumbled the ball after pulling in the pass, but he scooped it up and made his way to the end zone.
With three teams tied for first place in the Class 4A district standings, the outcome of next week’s final regular season games will be important. The three teams will then add up the total wins of four non-district opponents they defeated to decide the top two teams that get to play home game in the first round of the playoffs.
“We’ll have to see how stuff shakes out next week,” coach Woolley said. “We’ll go wherever they want us. If we play here (at home), that’s great, or we’ll go wherever. We just want to keep playing.”
Scott players celebrate in the end zone after senior slot back Kyren Simpson, center, scores a touchdown. (Photo by Dale Dawn)
SCOTT 6 20 14 0 — 40
HOLMES 0 0 6 0 — 6
S — Simpson 4 run (kick failed)
S — Simpson 32 pass from Ohmer (Iden kick)
S — Patterson 62 pass from Ohmer (Iden kick)
S — Patrick 12 run (run failed)
S — Perrin 38 run (Iden kick)
S — Perrin 42 run (Iden kick)
H — Blassingame 25 pass from Walker (kick blocked)
RECORDS: Scott 5-4, Holmes 4-5.
High school football scores
Ludlow 36, Bellevue 13
Brossart 47, Berea 12
Conner 19, Cooper 14
Campbell County 35, Boone County 7
Covington Catholic 50, Dixie Heights 8
Beechwood 62, Dayton 6
Highlands 42, Greenwood 7
Lloyd 51, Holy Cross 19
Newport Central Catholic 40, Newport 12
Simon Kenton 28, Ryle 7
Scott 40, Holmes 6
Walton-Verona 63, Gallatin County 0
