Todd County Central controlled their playoff destiny coming into Friday’s game with Butler County, but it was the Bears that controlled the game for a half. The Rebels shook off a slow start and picked up a 29-15 win in Elkton that assures them of the No. 3 seed in Class 2A, District 1.
Butler County, who entered the contest winless at 0-8, scored the only touchdown of a first half that was played in a downpour. The Bears made that score stand up and went into halftime ahead 8-0.
Todd County Central got on the board in the third quarter on a 35-yard run by Bryce Nolan. Ja’Twan Graham ran in the two-point conversion to tie the game at 8-8.
Asa Young scored on a three-yard run to give the Rebels their first lead of the game at 15-8 with 9:23 left in the game.
On the kickoff, Butler County was stripped of the ball, and D.J. Johnson returned it 35 yards for the score and a 23-8 lead following the two-point run by Graham.
Butler County did not fade away. They scored with a touchdown with 6:13 left to pull to within 23-14.
Todd County put the game away when lineman Jonathan Flores scored on a 4-yard run with 4:36 left for the final 15-point margin.
The Rebels finished with 277 rushing yards, led by Young’s 114 yards.
The Todd County win, coupled with McLean County’s 23-8 win over Hancock County, means the Rebels will be the No. 3 seed in their district and travel to Murray in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs in two weeks. The Tigers beat Ballard Memorial 57-13 to finish second in their district behind top-ranked Mayfield.
Todd County (5-4) will close out the regular season at home Friday against border rival Logan County.
