The Lawrence County Bulldogs picked up a huge win on Friday by defeating the defending 3A state champion Belfry Pirates on Friday night in Louisa.
Belfry (4-4) jumped on the score early when Aiden Burke scooped up a fumble and raced 42 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. Dre Young added a 1-yard touchdown late in the first quarter for a 14-0 Pirate lead.
Lawrence County (7-1) cut into the Belfry lead with 2:44 left in the first half when Dylan Ferguson carried the ball into the end zone from 3 yards out and a 14-7 lead.
The Pirates fired back, marching down the field before another 1-yard from Young with 1:27 left to make it a 21-7 lead.
The Bulldogs had enough time to answer before the half as quarterback Talan Pollock connected with Kaden Gillispie on an 18-yard touchdown pass just before the half to make it a 21-14 Belfry lead.
Lawrence County scored early in the third period when Ferguson scored on a 38-yard run to knot the score up at 21-21.
The score remained the same until the 4th quarter. Ferguson then scored his third touchdown of the game from a yard out to give the Bulldogs a 28-21 lead. Ferguson then found the end zone from 10 yards out to secure the 35-21 final score.
With the win, Lawrence County defeated the Pirates for the first time since 2002 and snapped Belfry’s district game winning streak at 55.
Pollock completed 10-of-16 passes for 92 yards and 1 touchdown. He also had 7 carries for 21 yards.
Ferguson carried the ball 15 times for 130 yards and 4 touchdowns. Cody Crum had 5 attempts for 8 yards. William McDavid added 8 yards on 2 carries. Lawson Baisden had 7 yards on 3 attempts.
Gillispie had 10 receptions for 92 yards and 1 touchdown. He also completed 1 pass to Abner Collinsworth for 26 yards.
Belfry was led by Caden Woolum who had 12 carries for 86 yards. Young finished with 20 carries for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ace Caudill had 4 carries for 9 yards.
Lawrence County travels to Floyd Central (0-8) next week for a battle with the Jaguars. Belfry will return home next week to welcome in the Pike County Central Hawks (3-5). The opening kick for both games start at 7:30 pm.
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