If it was the last game ever between the Christian County Colonels and the Caldwell County Tigers, the all-time series will end dead even.
Jordan Miles threw for 190 yards and three touchdowns as the Colonels turned back the Tigers 18-9 Friday night at the Stadium of Champions in Hopkinsville.
Not only did the Colonels give Blake Ladson his first win as head coach, they also tied the all-time series with Caldwell at 13-13.
The teams battled through a scoreless first quarter before Christian drew first blood early in the second period.
On fourth down, Miles found JaSean Riley behind the defense, throwing over the top for a 30-yard scoring play. The PAT failed, but Christian led 6-0 at the 11:08 mark of the second quarter.
The Colonels won the field-position game in the first half, but Caldwell got on the scoreboard late in the second period to cut the deficit in half the break.
Freshman Sutton Ritchey hammered a 37-yard field goal just over the crossbar at the 2:47 mark to make it a 6-3 game at halftime.
But Caldwell could never draw even or take the lead.
Instead, Miles twice hooked up with Prince Northington II on scoring plays in the third quarter to help put Christian in control.
The first play covered 29 yards, with Northington tiptoeing inside the back line of the end zone for the score. That made it 12-3 with 4:15 left in the third quarter.
On the Colonels’ next series, Northington turned a pass over the middle into a 55-yard touchdown play. That extended the margin to 18-3 at the 0:58 mark of the third quarter.
Caldwell tried to stay in the game when Luke Parker found Zavy Bumphus for a 17-yard TD pass on fourth down. That came with 7:59 to go in the game. However, a two-point try by the Tigers came up empty, leaving Christian with an 18-9 advantage.
The Tigers threatened again late in the game, but were turned away as Christian held on for the win.
Northington finished the night with four receptions for 134 yards and the two touchdowns.
Josiah Jenkins ran for 80 yards for the Colonels while Miles was 8 of 16 through the air.
Parker was 16 of 31 passing for Caldwell for 195 yards.
Jamus Carneyhan had seven grabs for 75 yards and ran for another 50.
Christian outgained Caldwell overall 295 yards to 224.
As announced earlier, Christian County and Hopkinsville plan to merge into one high school next fall.
The Colonels go on the road to play Logan County next week.
Caldwell travels to Madisonville-North Hopkins in Week 2.
