Jumpers outlast Bulldogs 21-9.
HAZARD – October 4, 2019 – JJ Baker – Bluegrass Sports Nation
The game of the week for the state of Kentucky held up to
it’s hype and billing. The Bulldogs and Briarjumpers went toe to toe in a four
quarter slug fest on Hazard’s Daniel Field Friday night. Somerset is 20-7 all
time against the Bulldogs and if the Bulldogs were to make up any ground this
year, it would take a near perfect game against one of the most highly touted
teams in the state, regardless of class. It was not to be this year for the
Bulldogs.
The game started as a defensive war for most of the first
half. Each team feeling each other out and trying to exploit the others
weaknesses. The problem was, each team had very few! The first quarter
consisted of only 2 possessions by the Bulldogs and 1 by the Briarjumpers as
both teams’ defense would bend and not break as they ran the ball and mounted
drives that would stall. The Bulldogs got something going after a huge Trajon
Campbell interception midway through the 2nd. The Bulldogs drove
down to the Briarjumper 30 when the turnover bug hit them and Somerset was able
to jump on a fumbled exchange. The Bulldogs were able to force a three and out
and had the ball on the right side of the field. Their drive stalled and Hazard
sent the Bulldog field goal squad onto the field for the try from 39 yards.
After a couple of false starts moved the Bulldogs back 10 yards, Jonah Helm
would put them on the board first when he boomed a 49 yard field goal through
the uprights to give Hazard a 3-0 lead with just :55 seconds left in the first
half. The Bulldog defense was solid and would hold the Somerset offense
scoreless for 23:59.6 seconds of the first half. The problem? Hazard left
Kentucky recruit Keiya Sheron .4 of a second and he was able to avoid the
Bulldog’s relentless pass rush and find his receiver in the back of the end
zone with no time left on the clock and set the halftime score at 7-3,
Somerset.
The Bulldogs had to gather themselves and regroup quickly
because the Bunnies would be receiving the ball to start the second half. After
forcing a 3 and out, the Bulldogs offense drove down the field on a 12 play, 75
yard drive and Reece Fletcher found the end zone on a sweep that allowed Hazard
to regain the lead, 9-7 after a missed PAT. The Bulldogs would kick off, hold
the Jumpers to another 3 and out, and then another turnover hit the Dogs at the
worst time when their punt return team muffed the punt and the Briarjumpers
were able to recover. Somerset was able to make the Bulldogs pay as they would
score 7 plays later putting them back up 13-9 after a missed 2 point
conversion. After a Hazard turnover on downs, the Somerset offense was forced
into another punting situation at 4th and 14 when the call of the
night went the Jumper’s special teams coordinator with a perfectly executed
fake that caught the Dogs off-guard and let the Somerset punter scramble 40
yards to the end zone. This would set the final score of the night at 21-9
after a two point conversion was good by the Jumpers.
It was a great night of football! Hazard, who had many
questions entering the season, has made steady improvements each week and are
now competing at a high level. Is that level high enough to compete with the
top of 1A? We get to find out in two weeks when the Pikeville Panthers roll
into town. This game will have big home field playoff implications and should
be just as anticipated as the Somerset game was. The Bulldogs will essentially
have an open week after the forfeit of Jenkins this coming week. This should
allow the Dogs to heal up some bumps and bruises from the last few weeks’ physical
games and have a little extra preparation time for the Panthers. Be sure to
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