LEXINGTON – The Class 1A state football championship came down to the final drive for Pikeville.
The Panthers, trailing two-time defending state champion Beechwood 21-20, marched from their own 21-yard line following a fumble to inside the Tigers’ 30-yard line, but quarterback Connor Roberts’ intended pass for Christian Billiter on second down at the goal line was picked off, denying Pikeville a fifth championship Friday afternoon at Kroger Field before a crowd of nearly 6,200 fans.
Roberts closed out his outstanding career with 243 yards and three touchdowns, including the go-ahead touchdown to Billiter in the third period as Pikeville erased a 14-6 halftime deficit to take at 20-14 lead into the final 12 minutes.
Pikeville receiver Jackson Hensley’s electrifying touchdown receptions of 57 and 65 yards kept the Panthers within striking distance at 14-12. He was injured early in the final period and did not return. He had four catches for 154 yards.
Beechwood won its 14th state championship.
At Lexington
(Class 1A championship)
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
BH (12-2)…………..0 14 0 7 – 21
PK (11-3)…………..0 6 14 0 – 20
Scoring:
First Quarter
No scoring
Second Quarter
BH – Luke Bolger, 24-yard pass from Cameron Hergott (Colin Graman kick), 10:51
PK – Jackson Hensley, 57-yard pass from Connor Roberts (poor snap), 9:56
BH –Logan Castleman, 13-yard pass from Cameron Hergott (Colin Graman kick), 5:14
Third Quarter
PK – Jackson Hensley, 65-yard pass from Connor Roberts (pass failed), 5:31
PK – Christian Billiter, 25-yard pass from Connor Roberts (Connor Roberts run), 2:52
Fourth Quarter
BH – Cameron Hergott, 1-yard run (Colin Graman kick), 9:42.