Bulldogs rock Knox

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Knox Central quarterback Johnathan Barger is brought down by Lawrence County’s Ben Preston (56) and Lucas Frasher during the first quarter on Friday. Kevin Goldy

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November 14, 2009

By MARK MAYNARD — The Independent The Daily Independent Sat Nov 14, 2009, 11:07 AM EST

LOUISA — Lawrence County’s rags-to-riches turnaround continued Friday night.

The undefeated Bulldogs blanked Knox Central 19-0 to reach the Class 4A regional championship game next week against Bell County.

Lawrence County improved to 12-0 with the perfect playoff formula — rock-solid defense and ball-control offense.

After giving up four first downs on the first series, the Bulldogs got stingy, allowing only two more the rest of the night.

It was the first time this season that the Panthers had been shut out.

“Our defense has continued to get better,” said Bulldogs coach Luke Salmons. “To hold them to no points is great.”

Aside from an opening drive when Knox Central marched to Lawrence County’s 23 before stalling, the Panthers never threatened.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs found some running lanes with Hunter James and Shane Pack.

James piled up 142 yards mostly on the strength of three long carries of 33, 50 and 23. Pack, the hammering fullback, carried 25 times for 123 yards and a touchdown.

Pack and James each had a TD in the second quarter to give Lawrence County all it needed.

“This is a big win,” Pack said. “It feels good.”

The victory sends the Bulldogs to the last place where they suffered defeat. Bell County walloped Lawrence County 62-0 in the opening round of last year’s playoffs that finished off an 0-11 season.

“To go back from where we were last year to where we are now is something else,” Pack said. “We know Bell County is a great team and it’ll be a physical game. But to come back and play for the regional championship, that’s huge.”

Salmons said it’s a different Lawrence County team that will be traveling to Log Mountain on Friday.

“The kids believe if they play great defense they can beat anybody,” he said. “This was a team win.”

Salmons was pleased with most aspects of Lawrence County’s victory.

“Our punts were good and it was a game where we flip-flopped field position,” he said.

The Bulldogs went ahead 6-0 early in the second quarter after long runs from James (33) and Pack (27) set things up. Lawrence County made it 12-0 when James followed Pack’s block into the end zone on a 3-yard run.

The third quarter was scoreless and it looked like the final was going to be 12-0. But James broke several tackles on the way to a 23-yard touchdown run with nine seconds remaining.

There were several personal foul penalties toward the end of the game and one Knox Central player was ejected.

“They were talking a lot,” Pack said.

Knox Central, which had allowed only one touchdown in its three previous games, fell to 7-5.

Bell County shut out rival Rockcastle County 48-0 in the other regional semifinal Friday night.

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@

dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.

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