Belfry Pirates snapped a five-game losing skid against the Pikeville Panthers as they defeated their county rival, 35-21, on Friday at Hambley Athletic Complex in Pikeville.
The Panthers (1-4) got on the scoreboard first when Isaiah Stanley ran into the end zone from 1 yard out. The PAT kick was blocked as Pikeville had a 6-0 lead with 8:42 left in the opening quarter.
Belfry (3-2) answered in the second period as JB Woolum scored on a 4-yard run. Nick Savage’s PAT kick gave the Pirates a 7-6 lead.
Pikeville responded with 4:50 left in the opening half when Stanley scored on a 4-yard run. Stanley then added a conversion run to give the Panthers a 14-7 lead.
The Pirates were able to tie the game up right before the half as quarterback Chase Varney scored on a 1-yard plunge to make it a 14-14 game at the intermission.
Belfry was able to regain the lead midway through the third period when Jeremiah Austin scored on a 1 yard run. Savage’s PAT made it a 21-14 lead. The Pirates increased their advantage to 28-14 a few minutes later on an 8-yard touchdown run from Woolum.
Pikeville clawed within a score near the end of the third quarter when Isaac Duty completed a 36-yard touchdown pass to Kingston Braxton to make the score 28-21.
The Pirates closed out the game with 5:54 remaining in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard Ace Caudill touchdown run.
Austin led Belfry with 75 yards and 1 touchdown on 21 carries. Woolum had 8 carries for 54 yards and 2 touchdowns. Caudill had 5 carries for 16 yards and 1 touchdown.
Varney competed 3-of-5 passes for 44 yards. He also had 7 carries for 22 yards and 1 touchdown.
Stanley led the Panthers for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns on 18 rushing attempts.
Pikeville will play at Harlan County on Friday. The Pirates return home next weekend to play Magoffin County.
Photo Courtesy of Bluegrass Sports Nation
