CANNONSBURG — A healthier McCreary Central team showed up at Tom Scott Field than the one Boyd County saw on film from recent weeks.

It didn’t matter.

Boyd County’s defense dominated the first half in a 34-6 romp to open the Class 4A playoffs Friday night.

“We came out and played well early,’’ said Lions coach Lee Evans. “I thought we really took it to them.’’

Evans had some concern before the game when he looked across to the other sideline.

“McCreary Central hasn’t been healthy, but all those kids were back tonight except one,’’ Evans said. “I was a little nervous. I could tell they were excited over there. I was afraid we might come out flat and them get an advantage, but it didn’t happen.’’

The Lions never allowed McCreary Central to get untracked after a four-hour bus trip.

Boyd County’s fast-closing defenders stonewalled the Raiders, holding them to 21 total yards in the first half and giving the Lions’ offense excellent field position.

“That was a testament to our kids and defensive coaches, because we had no idea what offense they were going to run due to the personnel situation,’’ Evans said. “This may be as good a (defensive) team at reading their keys as I’ve had.’’

Boyd County (7-4) led 21-0 at halftime and answered a third-quarter McCreary Central touchdown with one of its own to keep control.

“It was a really good performance from our kids,’’ Evans said. “We’re looking forward to the next game.’’

The Lions will play at home next Friday against Knox Central, a 47-0 winner over Rowan County.

Dangerous McCreary Central quarterback Aaron Watts was cleared to play earlier Friday after being sidelined by an injury for the past month. But his 10 first-half carried netted only eight yards and Watts finished 0-for-6 through the air.

Boyd County defensive back Chase Wiler picked off Watts’ first attempt and returned it 41 yards to the Raiders’ 21. Three plays later, Lions quarterback Zac Wilson faked a handoff and sprinted up the middle for a 14-yard touchdown.

McCreary Central’s offense went backwards on its new two possessions. Michael Haney and Brent Pinkerman sacked Watts for a 10-yard loss on the final play of the first quarter, putting the Raiders in a fourth-and-27 situation at their own 16.

A 25-yard punt went out of bounds at McCreary Central’s 41 and Boyd County’s alternate quarterback, sophomore Tyler Arthur, directed a snappy scoring drive. Arthur powered his way into the end zone from six yards out.

“It’s a lot easier when your defense is giving you a short field like we had tonight,’’ Evans said.

Defensive ends Zach Greene and Haney made several stops and consistently strung out wide plays to contain Watts and running back Zack Roark.

“Michael and Zach have done a great job since probably the Lawrence County game,’’ Evans said. “They have played lights out.’’

McCreary Central (4-7) tried a fake punt midway through the second quarter, but Watts’ pass attempt fell incomplete. Boyd County took possession at the Raiders’ 49 and needed only three plays to score. Running back Kevin Stewart went up the middle for a 35-yard TD and Eli Malloy’s third extra-point kick made it 21-0.

Roark’s 26-yard scoring run in the third quarter gave McCreary Central some life before Boyd countered with Donnie Bryant’s 1-yard TD.

Wilson added a 31-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.