The Prestonsburg Blackcats kicked off the Wes Hager Era in spectacular fashion with a 22-19 win on the road over the Leslie County Eagles on Friday.
Prestonsburg got the scoring going as Alex Harris broke away on a 76-yard run for a 7-0 lead.
Leslie County responded when Landry Collett connected with Noah Kilburn on a screen pass who weaved his way through traffic for a 41-yard touchdown to make it a 7-7 game after the first period.
The Blackcats regained the lead when Bryce Holbrook scored on a QB keeper to make it a 14-7 game in Prestonsburg’s favor.
Collett then scored on a 6-yard run, but the ensuing PAT was blocked to preserve the Blackcats’ lead at the half, 14-13.
The Eagles to the lead in the third period when Collett connected with Jayden Hacker on a 62-yard touchdown pass to make the score score 19-14.
Prestongsburg then scored the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter when Dalton Elliott rushed to the left, was hit but somehow didn’t go down on a 5-yard scoring run. The two-point conversion gave the Blackcats a 22-19 win.
The Blackcats will next play in the Pike County Bowl in Pikeville in a match up with East Ridge on Saturday at 6 pm. Leslie County will play at Floyd Central on Friday at 7:30 pm.
