(by Don Meador, November 20, 2021)
The Allen County-Scottsville Patriot coaching staff knew that taking care of the football would be essential to upset the Franklin County Flyers in the quarterfinal round of the Class 4A playoffs last week. Hang on to the football, play as mistake free as possible, and take advantage of every opportunity to score were essential to a victory. Unfortunately, the opposite happened as a long night of turnovers, penalties, and missed opportunities ended with Allen County-Scottsville falling to Franklin County 49-12.
The contest was plagued by mistakes and missed opportunities. The Patriots gave the ball away four times. Defensively, AC-S saw Franklin County turn the ball over five times. However, the Patriots failed to take advantage of the gifts or make the most of nine penalties by the hosts.
After the Patriots’ first drive ended in an interception, the Flyers wasted little time in scoring. On the first Franklin County play from scrimmage, University of Kentucky commit Kaden Moorman broke through the center of the Patriot defense for a 38-yard touchdown run. The PAT gave the hosts a 7-0 lead two minutes into the game.
AC-S responded with a well-designed drive down the field. Starting at their 28 yard line, quarterback Payton Cope led the team on a methodical march, mixing run and pass plays. Over 15 plays later, the Patriots were inside the Flyer red zone when a touchdown was called back on a hold. Moments later, Cope threw his second INT of the game with Gavin Hurst once again coming away with the ball.
However, AC-S would get the ball back after two Franklin County plays. Moorman could not handle the ball on the handoff. After the recovery, AC-S would find the end zone on a reverse run by Tanner Stinson. The score came on the first play of the second quarter. However, Thorny Walker’s PAT try was blocked leaving Franklin County with a 7-6 lead.
Franklin County immediately answered. On their first play, Flyer Zack Callido took the handoff on a jet sweep,came to the Franklin County sideline, tip-toed the line to stay in bounds and raced the 60 yards to the Patriot zone. After the PAT, the Flyers owned a 14-6 lead at the 11:35 mark of the second.
The Patriots missed another scoring chance on the next series. With the ball at midfield, Cope fired a shot to Jax Cooper who was open behind the Franklin County defense. The senior tried to make the over the shoulder catch at the goaline but couldn't. Two plays later, Cope was picked for a third time.
Later in the second quarter, the Patriot defense denied a pair of Flyer threats. The Patriots’ Hunter Krulik recovered a Flyer fumble at the eight yard line. The Patriots were unable to move the ball but would get a second possession as Krulik stopped the next Flyer drive. The junior picked off a Flyer pass \with 1:32 left in the second quarter. Franklin County led 14=6 at halftime.
Things went downhill very fast for the Patriots in the third. AC-S opened the second half with a rolling kick. After an initial bobble by the receiver, Collido secured the ball and raced through the Patriot special team defense for a 65-yard score. The PAT gave the hosts a 21-6 lead at the 11:44 mark in the third.
After a quick three-and-out, the Flyers answered with an even quicker scoring drive. Moorman’s 34-yard run and the PAT at the 8:04 mark of the third gave the Flyers a 28-6 lead.
AC-S again was forced to punt on the next play. Moorman returned the 45-yard kick to the AC-S 34. However, a fumble on the next play was pounced on by Julyan McPeak. Cope ran 17 yards on the next play but the junior was picked again by Hurst. Following the interception, the speedy defensive back returned the ball 73-yards for the pick-six and a 35-6 Franklin County lead. With 6:36 left in the third.
The Franklin County offense was not finished. After holding AC-S on a fourth down at midfield, the Flyers need only four plays to find the endzone. Sears 15-yard run and the kick gave Franklin County a 42-6 lead---and started the running clock.
Moments after the Flyers’ play-by-play crew said the Patriots were without a breakaway receiver, AC-S scored on a 40-yard pass from Cope to Jax Cooper. The Flyers added a late score to win 49-12.
The conclusion signaled the end of a fantastic season by Cope. After completing 15 passes for 142 yards against Franklin County, the junior finished with 2.060 passing yards and 410 rushing yards on the year. Based on available records, Cope is just the second Patriot player to throw for more than 2,000 yards in a season.
Cooper---who returned this year to play football as a fifth-year senior due to COVID---grabbed six passes for 75 yards in the game. His solid night upped his season totals to 53 receptions for 969 yards and 10 TD’s. For his career, Cooper has 117 total receptions for 2,082 yards and 22 touchdowns. All are believed to be school records.
Defensively, Krulik led the way with seven tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery. Will Moore, who closes the season with 141 tackles, was in on five tackles.
The Patriots’ eight wins in 13 games are the most in a season since 2010. The winning record also marks the 21st time the Patriots have recorded a winning season. Coach Brad Hood competes his 16th season with an overall record of 97-87.