Published: September 27, 2008 01:15 am            

Lions find way to district win

Wilson gets help from supporting cast

CANNONSBURG — Boyd County coach Lee Evans might have to find a few extra game balls to pass around this week.

For once, it wasn’t just the Zac Wilson Show.

Wilson was one of the stars, but the supporting cast came up big in a 28-13 victory over Lawrence County in the Class 4A district opener for both teams on Friday night at Lions Stadium.

Boyd County’s defense intercepted four passes, including three from Danny Waller, recovered a fumble and found a way to slow down super sophomore quarterback Chandler Shepherd.

“There were so many big plays,” Evans said. “Offensively, we were not very good. We couldn’t get anything going and they were aggressive. We’re kind of a rhythm team and they knocked us off that.”

Despite being outgained and outplayed in the first half, the Lions used three big plays — all passes from sophomore quarterback Tyler Arthur — to score a late touchdown for a 14-13 advantage when Cory Moore stretched into the end zone to complete a 10-yard score. Eli Malloy’s second of four consecutive extra points put the Lions in front and momentum on their side.

“Absolutely,” Evans said. “Our kids had all the confidence at halftime even though we played poorly.”

The drive was set up after Waller intercepted a pass in the end zone with the Bulldogs threatening to build on a 13-7 advantage.

With Boyd County struggling on offense, Evans went with Arthur at quarterback and used Wilson in a variety of positions. The strategy worked as Arthur sparkled, completing 7 of 9 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran in the clinching TD in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, Wilson gained 112 yards from his tailback position and helped the Lions eat the clock late. “He’s a great anything,” Evans said of Wilson.

But it wasn’t just Wilson’s night. Arthur played well and Chase Wiler had two huge catches and a crucial block that helped spring Waller on a 46-yard catch and run that set up the go-ahead touchdown.

Wiler also caught a 50-yard pass that set up the third Boyd County touchdown, a 14-yard pass to Donnie Bryant, who caught scoring passes from Wilson and Arthur.

“Tyler played well,” Evans said. “He’s as green as he can be and has played very little. But he’s gotten close to 50 percent of the snaps the last two games.”

It was another frustrating game for the 0-5 Bulldogs, who played well enough to win in spots but couldn’t seem to come up with the big plays when necessary.

“It’s hard,” said Bulldogs coach Luke Salmons. “I thought we were primed and ready to go. But this is where we’re at. We can compete but right now we can’t win.”

Lawrence County was the better team in the first half despite trailing 14-13. Shepherd scored on a 40-yard run and kicked the extra point to pull the Bulldogs even at 7 in the first quarter. He added another touchdown early in the second quarter, a 1-yard run, to make it 13-7. Shepherd had a nifty 28-yard run in that drive.

But from that point on, turnovers haunted the Bulldogs, who had three passes intercepted in the end zone (two by Waller and one by Cody Delaney). “Toward the red zone we struggled and struggled,” Salmons said.

Evans credited defensive coordinator Brent Terry’s halftime adjustments for keeping Shepherd in check in the second half. Senior defensive end Zach Green had a second consecutive big game and Michael Haney’s early fumble recovery on the 12 set up the Lions’ first touchdown.

Shepherd ran for 81 yards and passed for 121 but threw four interceptions.

“He has to keep developing,” Salmons said. “A lot of kids don’t understand. In football, you’ve got to develop. It’s hard to preach that to them.”

Boyd County (3-2 and 1-0) plays at Ashland on Friday. Lawrence County (0-5 and 0-1) visits Russell.

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.

        

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