MOTIVATED LIONS BLANK GREENUP

By ROCKY STANLEY — The Independent

CANNONSBURG October 11, 2008 01:55 am

— Motivated by a hard-to-swallow loss to Greenup County in last year’s district finals, Boyd County found some consolation Friday.
Quarterback Zac Wilson and the Lions’ defense paved the way for a 13-0 victory over the Musketeers in a key matchup at Tom Scott Field.
Boyd County took sole possession of first place in Class 4A, District 8 at 2-0 by handing Greenup County its first defeat in district competition.
When Lions players received their scouting reports this week, included was a photo copy of the scoreboard from Greenup County’s 27-26 playoff win last November.
“I’ve been looking forward to this game for over 300 days,’’ said Boyd County coach Lee Evans. “I just felt like we missed an opportunity to do something good.’’
This time, the Lions didn’t want the game to come down to the final seconds.
Wilson scored two first-half touchdowns, including a 42-yarder on Boyd County’s first possession, and the defense repeatedly came up with big plays to keep Greenup County away from the end zone.
“Zac was a warrior,’’ Evans said of his senior quarterback, who rushed for 179 yards and also sparkled on the other side of the ball after receiving medical clearance this week for full-time defensive duty.
Wilson accounted for two of Boyd County’s three interceptions — all in the second quarter.
“No question, Zac is an excellent defensive back,’’ Evans said. “I don’t have any doubt that he could play it in college.’’
Senior Cody Delaney came up with the biggest interception and return for the Lions. He picked off an Eric Craft pass near midfield and carried it back to the Musketeers’ 1-yard line before Craft bumped him out of bounds with 1:07 remaining in the half.
“It was a huge play,’’ Evans said. “I wish Cody would have gotten it into the end zone. He was close.’’
Wilson did the honors with a keeper on the next play and sophomore Eli Malloy added the extra point to make it 13-0.
Wilson finished with 179 yards rushing and added another 66 through the air to account for the bulk of Boyd County’s offense.
“When you have a running quarterback with his strength and ability, it’s extremely hard to defend,’’ said Greenup County coach Mike Sammons. “There are so many things he can do. We defended their option well, but he stood back in the shotgun and ran the quarterback trap extremely well.’’
Greenup County also moved the ball, courtesy of Craft’s 185 yards passing. The Musketeers had eight possessions that carried into Boyd County territory, only to come away empty-handed each time.
“It seems like the same old song and dance,’’ said Sammons, whose team slipped to 1-5 overall and 1-1 in district play. “We were unable to capitalize on opportunities. Each time we had a penalty, or sack or some kind of negative play.’’
One of the Musketeers’ best chances came after they recovered an onside kick to open the game. Greenup County had a first down at Boyd County’s 15, but Delaney chased Craft out of bounds for a 12-yard loss and the drive ended with a failed 32-yard field goal attempt.
In the third quarter, the Musketeers turned the ball over on downs at the Lions’ 41 and 26.
The fourth quarter brought more of the same. Wilson and Donnie Bryant forced Craft out of bounds for a 1-yard loss on fourth-and-one at the Lions’ 32. A Boyd County fumble with 2:55 left gave the ball back to Greenup County. The Musketeers had first down at the nine before Zach Green’s 11-yard sack foiled their last chance to get on the scoreboard.
“It’s probably the best we’ve played defensively this season, and against a dangerous team,’’ Evans said. “Craft is a great player. He can make you look bad on a lot of things.’’
Boyd County (4-3) limited Greenup County to 55 yards on the ground.
ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.

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