Pike County Central overcame an early deficit to Prestonsburg and the Hawks took control and went on to beat the Blackcats, 53-7, in the season opener for both teams at the Hawks Nest on Friday night.
Six different players scored, including Matt Anderson who rushed for a pair of touchdowns to help build a commanding 40-7 halftime lead.
Noah Iricks, Tyler Hunt, Eric Perez and Curt Anderson added rushing touchdowns while Hunt tossed a 21-yard TD pass to Keegan Bentley. Hunt rushed for three, two-point conversions.
Prestonsburg’s Sam Kelly scored on a 45-yard run in the first period to put the Blackcats up 7-0.
Pike Central will face Shelby Valley (1-0) in the 35th annual Pike County Bowl next Saturday at Hillard Howard Field. Prestonsburg will host Lawrence County (0-1) in the home opener on Aug. 30.
At Buckleys Creek
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
PB (0-1)…7 0 0 0 – 7
PC (1-0)..16 24 6 7 – 53
Scoring:
First Quarter
PB – Sam Kelly, 45-yard run (Macon Willoughby kick)
PC – Matt Anderson, 1-yard run (Tyler Hunt run)
PC – Noah Iricks, 10-yard run (Tyler Hunt run)
Second Quarter
PC – Tyler Hunt, 2-yard run (Noah Iricks run)
PC – Matt Anderson, 40-yard run (Tyler Hunt run)
PC – Keegan Bentley, 21-yard pass from Tyler Hunt (Matt Anderson run)
Third Quarter
PC – Eric Perez, 3-yard run (kick failed)
Fourth Quarter
PC – Curt Anderson, 3-yard run (Isaac Hunt kick).
Next up: Pike Central (1-0) vs. Shelby Valley (1-0), Pike County Bowl, Pikeville, Aug. 31. Prestonsburg (0-1) vs. Lawrence County (0-1), Aug. 30.