In a rivalry matchup high on intensity but low on offensive production and marred by 185 yards in penalties, the Hopkinsville Tiger defense roared in a 22-0 victory over Christian County on Friday.
With alumni players and coaches invited back and one of the larger crowds the Stadium of Champions has seen in recent memory, the Tigers got a pair of touchdowns from junior Darrius Green and shut out the Colonels for the second season in a row.
Zach Moss got the Tigers out to a lead on their first possession, finding Jacquez Coleman over the middle on 4th and 20 for a 28-yard touchdown with 7:41 left in the 1st quarter.
The Colonels looked set to tie things up just before halftime with a 1st and goal from the Hoptown 5, but in a recurring theme for both teams, they went backward on penalties and turned the ball over on downs.
Early in the 3rd quarter, the Colonels drove into Tiger territory once again after a 36-yard run by Josiah Jenkins. However, after two false starts left them facing a 4th and 15 from the Hoptown 22-yard line, CJ Stallworth sacked Jordan Miles to keep Christian County off the scoreboard.
Hopkinsville ended the 3rd quarter with a 1st and 10 at the County 38 and only needed one play in the 4th to add to the lead. Green took a handoff and burst through the middle of the Colonel defense to find the endzone for a 13-0 advantage. After a bad snap, holder Trushaun Matt picked up the ball and got around the corner on the left side for a 2-point conversion.
Green added his second score with 7:38 to play after a roughing the passer penalty gave the Tigers the ball in the red zone.
The teams combined for less than 250 yards, led by the Tigers with 140 on 45 total plays. Moss was 6/17 passing for 71 yards and a score, and Hoptown rushed for 69 yards on 28 carries. Green accounted for 62 of those yards on 13 attempts.
Jenkins rushed for 78 yards on eight carries, but the Colonels totaled only 51 on 27 attempts. Miles completed six passes for 55 yards, with JaSean Riley catching all but one to finish with 46 yards.
Hopkinsville improved to 2-3 with a daunting trip to Logan County next week. The Cougars ended the Tigers’ season last year with a 39-37 victory in the second round of the playoffs.
Christian County (1-4) will look to regroup ahead of a visit from Murray High on Friday.
