The Christian County football team put a 12-game losing run behind it on Friday, holding off hosts Daviess County thanks to Kemarion Ford’s late interception to win 12-10.
The Colonels moved to 1-6 and won their district opener ahead of a matchup with McCracken County next week. A win over the Mustangs would put Christian County in an excellent position to host a first-round playoff game.
After coming up empty on two first-half trips to the red zone, the Colonels finally broke through after Mikhi Boyd’s interception set them up at 1st and ten at the Daviess County 19-yard line.
On 4th and 13 from the 23, Josh Bridges made an outstanding catch in the front corner of the end zone on a pass from Jayden Williams to open the scoring. The two-point attempt was unsuccessful, and the Colonels led 6-0 with 6:35 left in the half.
With Daviess County backed up to its own 7-yard line, Gatlin Maysey broke a 62-yard run to the County 25 to put the Panthers in business with just over a minute to play until halftime. However, facing a 4th and 15 from the 19, a field goal attempt sailed wide on the half’s final play.
After Williams was intercepted by Elijah Segar early in the third quarter, Daviess County got on the scoreboard when quarterback Garrison Barker fumbled into the end zone. Ben Barron fell on the ball for a Panther touchdown, and the extra point gave Daviess County a 7-6 lead with 8:18 left in the third.
With 1:45 to go in the quarter, the Panthers tacked on a 26-yard field goal to make it 10-6 heading to the fourth.
However, the Colonels answered on Tristin Dillard’s 20-yard TD run on 3rd and 3 to regain the lead. Again, the two-point try was no good for a 12-10 advantage with 10:16 left to play.
Carl Banks looked to have put the game away for the Colonels when he scooped up a fumble and returned it over 70 yards to the Daviess County 1-yard line. But on first and goal, a fumble gave the ball back to the Panthers with 6:23 left.
Christian County stopped the Panthers deep in their own end but couldn’t add points and turned the ball over on downs at the Daviess 5-yard line.
A pair of 15-yard penalties on the same play helped Daviess County go from its own 47 down the Christian County 23 with 1:05 left. Facing the prospect of letting a win slip away, Ford came up big with a pick on 3rd and 9 from the 17 to seal the victory.
Daviess County did most of its damage on the ground with 245 yards rushing, including 201 from Maysey.
The Colonels rushed for 158 yards, led by Dillard, who had 113 and a score. Williams was 7/18 passing for 104 yards, and Aiden Jesse, his favorite target, had three catches for 61 yards.
Christian County overcame three fumbles, an interception, and 100 yards in penalties to win for the first time since a 22-14 decision over Caldwell County last season.
