When the scoreboard shows 0:00 in the fourth quarter at Cougar Field tonight, one of the teams will end its 2022 season against the same opponent which if began. The Logan County Cougars and their fans hope the result will be the same, too.
On Aug. 16, the Cougars beat Allen County-Scottsville 26-16 in the J Allen Builders Bowl at Warren East. The 10-point victory margin is tied for the smallest of the season. That victory gap came two more times, beginning with a 41-31 offensive shootout at Franklin-Simpson. Fittingly, the other 10-point win came in the regular season closer last week, an impressive 27-17 come-from-way-behind victory at Class 5A powerhouse South Warren.
In between the Cougars have won six other games by an average 30 points per game.
The Cougars’ only loss came to Greenwood, which was decided by a fourth quarter no-call against the Gators. The Cougars’ passionate protests resulted in 30 yards of penalties. They not only relinquished a chance to score the winning touchdown but gave the Gators great field position that led to the home team tallying the tiebreaking and deciding score.
The 9-1 Cougars are rated seventh in the state in Class 4A by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, but have been ranked in the top five in the state most of the season by the Associated Press.
The 25th-rated Patriots are 3-7 overall and are a three-touchdown underdog tonight. They have been outscored an average of just four points per game in their 10 outings and have won their last two games.
It appeared Logan would win by those three touchdowns in that opening game. But quarterback Davin Yates injured his shoulder making a sack on defense late in the second quarter and sat out the second half. Backup QB Brady Hinton, a sophomore, took over in the second half. He had a jittery start but seemed to gain confidence on every snap and led the Cougars to the win. He was named Player of the Game for his heroic efforts.
Yates completed 10 of 18 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns in that first half. Hinton was 5 of 9 passing and rushed for the winning touchdown.
Ryan Rayno, who finished the regular season as the state’s leading rusher in Class 4A, piled up 120 yards on 19 carries. Jack Delaney caught two of Yates’ passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns, while Zane Batten pulled in four passes for 42 yards and a score. JunVontre Dillard also caught four passes.
Elijah Hawkins led the defense with 16 tackles (11 of them solos) and a sack. Peyton Taylor added 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks while Hunter Holloway and Isaac Poe each had 9 tackles and Ryland Nichols 8. Holloway intercepted a pass.
AC-S star quarterback Peyton Cope completed 6 of 11 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown. Jace Jackson led the Patriots in rushing (51 yards) and receiving (3 catches for 31 yards), Karson Gens led the defense with 12 tackles with Hunter Krulik and Aubrey Fernandez totaling 8 each.
Kickoff is 7 p.m. WRUS will broadcast the game live with Zack Woodall and Austin Pogue calling the action.
The winner will play the Franklin-Hopkinsville survivor next week. The Cougars, who would be at home again, have beaten both of them this season.