Shelby Valley’s defense came up one play bigger than Pike County Central as the Wildcats held on in the second half to slip past the Hawks, 12-7, in the 35th annual Pike County Bowl matchup played at Hillard Howard Field on Saturday night.
The Wildcats, now 2-0, beat the Hawks (1-1) for the second straight time. Last year it took double overtime to decide the outcome.
Valley had to overcome a first quarter deficit as the Hawks took a 7-0 lead on quarterback Tyler Hunt’s three-yard scoring strike to Keegan Bentley with 12 seconds left. Isaac Hunt added the kick.
The Wildcats closed to within 7-6 on Isaac Hinkle’s 39-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Dalton Meade with 10:45 remaining in the opening half.
Valley’s scored the eventual game-winning TD on Jordan Little’s seven-yard run with 1:02 remaining. Little rushed for 66 yards on 15 attempts.
Central’s defense held Meade to 73 yards on 10 rushes. Jayden Newsome had 72 yards on 15 carries.
Shelby Valley will travel to Ridgeview, Va. (1-0) Friday night. The Hawks are idle until Sept. 13 when they host Perry County Central (0-1).
At Pikeville
(PCB – Game 1)
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
SV (2-0)…0 12 0 0 – 12
PC (1-1)…7 0 0 0 – 7
Scoring:
First Quarter
PC – Keegan Bentley, 3-yard pass from Tyler Hunt (Isaac Hunt kick), :12
Second Quarter
SV – Isaac Hinkle, 39-yard pass from Dalton Meade (run failed), 10:45
SV – Jordan Little, 7-yard run (run failed), 1:02
Third Quarter
No scoring
Fourth Quarter
No scoring
Next up: ShelbyValley (2-0) at Ridgeview, Va. (1-0), Sept 6; Pike Central (1-1) vs. Perry Central (0-1), Sept. 13.