Ovie Canady – Photo by Brendon Miller – BSN
HAZARD, KENTUCKY – August 17, 2018
CASEY ALLEN – Bluegrass Sports Nation High School Football Analyst
New Perry Central Coach Ovie Canady and his Perry County Central Commodores kicked off the 2018 season by hosting the McCreary Central Raiders in the Inaugural John C. Combs Bowl. It didn’t take PCC long to show their identity of tough hard-nosed football, just like olf “Punkin”. PCC won the toss, chose to receive, and then drove the ball 59 yards on 10 plays and scoring on a Jayden Neace 4 yard run. The extra point was no good, making the score 6-0 with 8:15 left in the first quarter.
McCreary Central’s opening drive only lasted 2 plays as Jordan Feltner recovered a fumble on the 16 yard line. On the very next play Perry Central’s Neace broke multiple tackles on his way to pay dirt. The extra point was good. Score with 7:10 left in the first period; Commodores 13-0.
After trading punts, Perry Central would then put a drive together deep into Raider territory to end the 1st Quarter. On the third play of the 2nd quarter McCreary Central intercepted a pass near the goal line and returned it 98 yards for a pick-six. Point after try was no good. Commodores 13-6.
PCC then went back to work and opened the playbook. PCC quarterback Cameron Brown connected on a 20-yard laser to Senior wide-out Noah Back, setting up the third rushing touchdown of the night by Neace who scampered in from 10 yards out. PAT by Butler was good, and the ‘Dores were in control 20-6.
McCreary Central receive a gift from above as a lightning strike caused over an hour stoppage of the game at the 7:37 mark of the 2nd quarter. At the stoppage, Perry Central’s defense had been suffocating, allowing only 13 yards of total offense, forcing three turnovers, and recording two sacks. Jordan Feltner led the PCC defense with two fumble recoveries and several tackles.
Play resumed at approximately 9:50 pm, and the ‘Dores picked up right where they left off leaning on their thoroughbred Neace. Neace would cap the drive and waltz into the end zone untouched from 7 yards out. PAT was good making the score 34-6.
Eventual defensive player of game for the Raiders Caleb Cox, kept things semi-interesting, as he took the ensuing kickoff 76 yards to the House. The extra point was no good, making the score 34-13. PCC would again answer quickly, scoring on 4 plays in which Neace busted runs of 5 yards, 10 yards, and finally a 38 yard sprint to the goal line for his 5th touchdown of the half. PCC would convert the PAT and entering the half up 41-12.
The second half was more of the same as PCC would continue their dominating performance by adding another score on a 42 yard bomb by Cameron Brown to Noah Back. With a score of 48-12 the commodores achieved their first running clock of the season. A late score by McCreary Central made the final score 48-18.
Our BSN Player of the Game was an easy decision. Jayden Neace, who unofficially tallied 164 yards rushing on 17 carries, and five touchdowns. Neace also made several tackles on defense and delivered a couple impact hits.
On the Defensive side of the Ball, the ‘Dores were led by Jordan Feltner who had 2 fumble recoveries and several tackles. Both of Feltner’s fumble recoveries led to touchdowns for the commodores. The Commodores only allowed 101 yards of total offense. Preston Mullins also recovered a fumble and Jake Brown intercepted a Raider pass as well. The ‘Dores forced five turnovers in route to their first win of the season, and first win of the Ovie Canady era.
Perry County Central will be home next week as they host the Bobcats of Breathitt County. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm. As always, join us at BSN by liking and following our page for your source of local sports action, and weekly coverage of the Perry Central Commodores. See you Friday night!!!