The Allen County-Scottsville Patriots racked up almost 500 yards in total offense during a 48-7 rout of Barren County last Friday night in the season’s home opener at Patriot Stadium.
“Our kids played hard,” coach Brad Hood said. “Our defense played hard. Our offense moved the ball.”
After falling behind for the first time this season, the Patriots responded with a powerful statement with their high octane offense. By game’s end, gun slinging quarterback Chase Wilson had thrown for 303 yards on 18-25 passes---the 18 completed passes in a game another school record. Wilson also tossed five touchdown passes, giving him 11 on the season---all coming in less than six quarters of action.
“Chase has worked really hard to come back,” Hood added. “To see him playing this well, I couldn’t be more proud.”
After an exchange of punts to start the night, Wilson went to his principal receiver Jacob Lightfoot for the game’s first score. The 63 yard pass play---coming after the drive’s first play resulted in a holding call---gave AC-S a 6-0 lead.
Barren County’s only threat came on the next series. Starting at their 36 yard line, the Trojans moved e ball to the AC-S 44 yard line, only to be stopped by a solid defensive effort. Going for the first down on a fourth and four, Trojan quarterback Dalton Ford hooked up with David Murley for a touchdown. The PAT gave Barren county a 7-6 lead.
The Patriots responded quickly. On their next series, AC-S moved the ball with a combination of run and pass plays. Wilson and Lightfoot hooked up three times on the drive. Runs by Carson Taylor, Brock Meador, and a pass reception by Taylor enabled the Patriots to push to the Trojans’ 20 yard line. On a third down on the drive’s 11th play, Wilson found wide out Cayden Ross open for a 20-yard touchdown pass. The successful two point conversion gave AC-S a 14-7 lead at the 11:10 mark of the second period.
AC-S regained possession moments later as Derek Vargas pounced on a fumble. AC-S started at the Trojans’ 32 yard line. Eight plays followed, capped off with a three yard Taylor run---a run coming after Wilson hit Peyton Huff for a 15-yard pass play on a fourth down situation. Taylor’s PAT and the Patriots led 21-7.
A 12-yard punt return gave AC-S field possession at their own 39 yard line to start their next drive midway through the second quarter. Wilson to Ross and runs by Taylor and Meador helped the Patriots push down the field. A penalty---one of 12 in the game for AC-S---slowed the drive, leaving AC-S with a fourth down at the seven-yard line. Going for the score, Wilson found Lightfoot open at the back of the end zone for a tip-toe catch. The PAT missed the mark but AC-S still owned a 27-7 lead with 2:33 left in the first half.
A quick Patriot defensive stop gave the ball back to AC-S with just under two minutes left in the half. After a pair of Wilson to Lightfoot completions moved the ball to near midfield, Wilson slung the ball to Taylor coming out of the backfield. Taylor raced to the end zone for the score. AC-S led 34-7 at the half.
Patriot defender Steven Whitney batted a Barren pass early in the second half---batted the pass into the air and into his hands. The interception gave AC-S possession at the Trojan 26-yard line. Five plays laterm Ross scored on a four yard run giving the Patriots a 41-7 lead with 10:03 left in the third.
The final AC-S score would come following a third Barren County turnover. After Aaron Borth picked off a pass and returned the ball 42 yards to the Barren 15-yard line, Wilson found Sheldon Peay three plays later for a 22-yard touchdown. AC-S led 48-7.
The Patriot running attack accounted for 190 yards on the night. Taylor led the way with 57 yards on 10 carries. Kelly Weger picked up 48 yards on three carries. Andrew Bomar, Cain Adams, Huff, Wilson, Justin Spearman, Ross, Zane Ward, trace McIntyre, Meador, and Jaquez McPeak all recorded carries and yardage in the game.
Lightfoot led the way in receiving, finishing with eight receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Taylor recorded 57 yards receiving with Ross gained 63 yards through the air.
“Lightfoot is good and he is getting confidence,” Hood explained. “He has come out of the gate swinging. He has a great work ethic. He is not even close to what he can be. We starting to see what Jacob has got but not all of what’s in the tank.”
Defensively, the Patriots had a very strong bight. Barren County’s run game was held to 17 yards while the passing attack was limited to 87. Whitney was a big part of their efforts.
“Steven is intense, hard-working, and a great leader,” Hood added. “He is fun to be around. He plays physical and hard. When he starts strong, the entire defense starts laying licks.”
AC-S (2-0) looks to reach the third win mark Saturday afternoon against Greenwood. Due to expected heavy rains, the game site has been moved from Greenwood to Warren East and rescheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The game will be on the blue turf field at East.
The 5-A Gators opened the season with a 37-12 win against Warren Central before dropping a 37-31 decision to Warren East last Saturday.
“They will be good,” Hood said. “Jackson Adams is a running quarterback that’s had a great career. They will be physical. When we play Greenwood, it is a battle. It will be physical with a lot of hitting. We have to not do things early that gets us in a hole. We will have our work cut out for us.”