In what will be a season of finales for the Hopkinsville football program, the Tigers opened preseason play on Friday with scrimmages against Paducah Tilghman and Clarksville Northeast at the Stadium of Champions. The Tigers failed to find the endzone in a 21-0 loss to the Blue Tornado before James Bradley used his arm and his legs to lead them past the Eagles 28-7.
Tilghman jumped on top on a three-yard TD run by Taevion Martin, and doubled the advantage on a short scoring run by Anthony Crumble with 5:29 left in the opening quarter. Threatening on fourth down from the Hoptown eight, the Blue Tornado were denied on an incomplete pass and settled for a 14-0 lead after the first quarter.
Paducah Tilghman made it 21-0 on a 24-yard pass from Stone Crowe to John Jones for the final margin. The Blue Tornado finished the night without allowing a point after beating Northeast 34-0 over two quarters.
The Tiger offense found its footing in the second matchup, beginning with a 34-yard scoring strike from Bradley to Aiden Jesse. With the game tied at 7-7, Bradley and Jesse connected again for a 70-yard touchdown to give Hoptown the lead for good.
Bradley extended the margin with a 38-yard TD run around the right side, and Jesse collected his second scoring catch of the night on an 18-yard pass from Bradley to close the scoring.
Hopkinsville will travel to Mayfield on Thursday for its final tune-up before opening the regular season against visiting Stratford, TN on August 22.
