By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
In a regular season game three weeks ago, Holmes scored 28 straight points in the second half and defeated Scott, 50-38, to earn the top seed in the district playoffs.
The script was reversed when the two teams met again on Friday in the district final. This time, Scott ran off 20 straight points in the fourth quarter to come away with a 40-29 win and advance to the quarterfinal round of the Class 4A state playoffs.
Scott running back Quincy Perrin, center, tries to power past Holmes defensive players Demario Foster, No. 18, and Keyandre Larry, No. 45. (Photo by Angie Ortwein)
Holmes took a 29-20 lead in the third quarter when junior quarterback Quantez Calloway scored his fourth touchdown of the game on a 30-yard breakaway run.
But Scott’s defensive players didn’t lose their composure, like they did in the previous loss to the Bulldogs.
“We came out and gave up that score after the half, but our guys came to the sidelines and were together,” said Scott coach Eric Turner. “They talked it out and went back out and played as a unit. That was huge. That was probably the best part of the second half.”
Scott senior defensive back Jackson Hardin actually got the Eagles’ rally started.
A bad snap sailed over the head of Holmes punter Nate Pouncy and into the end zone. Pouncy raced back to recover the loose ball, but Jackson ended up with it for a touchdown. The extra-point kick by Luke Iden cut the margin to 29-27 with 10:56 remaining on the clock.
Holmes wasn’t able to get a first down on its next possession and punted again. Scott then put together a 10-play, 70-yard scoring drive to take a 33-27 lead. Senior runing back Quincy Perrin carried the ball on eight of the plays, including a 15-yard run into the end zone with 5:54 left.
Hardin made another big play on defense when he intercepted a pass at the 37-yard line. After giving the ball to Perrin on six straight plays to run the clock down, Scott sophomore quarterback Gus Howlett faked a handoff to the workhorse running back and scored on a 13-yard misdirection play to clinch the victory.
Quincy Perrin
Perrin ended up rushing for 197 of his team’s 385 total yards and scored two touchdowns. He was having leg cramps during the second half and had to be helped off the field at one point.
“With me being a senior, I knew I couldn’t let my guys down, so I just sucked it up and did what I had to do,” Perrin said.
Scott jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter before Calloway scored three straight touchdowns that put Holmes ahead, 22-14. Perrin scored on a 2-yard run to make it 22-20 at the half.
Holmes finished with 270 total yards. Calloway had 84 yards passing and 72 yards rushing to account for 156. His twin brother, Tayquan, rushed for 106 yards on 16 carries.
But the Bulldogs were limited to nine offensive plays in the fourth quarter, without counting their two punt attempts. They connected on one of six passes, including the interception, and were tackled for a loss on the other three plays.
“The defense making plays kind of boosted everybody’s confidence,” Perrin said. “We got our heads down and our defense got the ball back for us. That’s what gave us confidence, so big shout out for our defense for getting the ball back for us.”
Scott (8-4) will go to Boyle County (12-0) for a quarterfinal playoff game next Friday. Boyle County ended the regular season as the top-seeded Class 4A team in the state. The Rebels are averaging 52 points per game and allowing 9.8.
“We know the challenge ahead of us,” Perrin said. “We’re one of those teams that’s not going to back down from it. You can be 11-0 or 12-0, it doesn’t matter. We’re going to line up against you and play power football and see if you can stop it.”.
HOLMES 0 22 7 0 — 29
SCOTT 14 6 0 20 — 40
S — Hardin 9 run (Iden kick)
S — Meyer 57 pass from Howlett (Iden kick)
H — Q. Calloway 30 run (T. Calloway run)
H — Q. Calloway 1 run (Q. Calloway run)
H — Q. Calloway 1 run (run failed)
S — Perrin 2 run (run failed)
H — Q. Calloway 32 run (Foster kick)
S — Hardin recovered fumble in end zone (Iden kick)
S — Perrin 15 run (run failed)
S — Howlett 13 run (Iden kick)
RECORDS: Scott 8-4, Holmes 8-4.
