(Kassity Boor Photo)
The Todd County Central Rebels made the long 97-mile trip to Tompkinsville to open the football season Friday at Monroe County.
Unfortunately for the Rebels, the bus ride back to Elkton was longer.
Jameson Pettet threw for three scores and the Falcon defense racked up six sacks on defense to hand the Rebels a 34-7 loss. It was a 180 from last year’s game – a 30-0 Todd Central win.
Monroe County’s triple-option offense kept the Rebels on their heels most of the night.
Pettit and the Falcon offense moved the ball methodically on the opening drive, with Pettit going up top to Brayden Baxter for the game’s opening score with 8:34 left in the first quarter.
Todd Central’s first drive saw freshman Quinton Grace run 42 yards for a Rebel first down. However, Miles Reding’s pass on the next play was tipped and picked off by the Falcons.
Pettit’s second scoring pass went to Branson Williams for six yards and a 14-0 lead with 1:57 left.
Todd Central appeared poised to dent the scoreboard for the first time early in the second quarter when Reding rolled out on fourth down, faked a pitch, and ran 24 yards to the end zone. However, a holding penalty brought the play back and Todd failed to convert on 4th down on the next play.
Monroe scored two touchdowns in the final six minutes of the half. Baxter scored on a nine-yard run following a bad Rebel punt snap.
Pettit found Williams again for a 17-yard touchdown with 37 seconds left. The PAT failed and Monroe led 27-0 at halftime.
Each team scored once in the second half. Cade Turner ran it in from two yards out with 7:59 left for a 34-0 lead.
Todd’s offense was more effective in the second half with Reding hitting on short passes against soft coverage at times.
Kamari Harris scored the Rebels’ first touchdown of the season – a two-yard score with 2:34 left. Grady Reding added the PAT.
Todd County Central (0-1) will play at Ohio County next week. The Eagles got grounded by McLean County 46-14 Friday.
